Ride the Reopened Rails: East Broad Top's Two-Route Combo to Pogue and Colgate Grove

The East Broad Top Railroad’s 10:30am Southbound & 12:00pm Northbound Train Ride Combo offers a compact, two-part excursion through the rolling farmland and oak-maple forests of south-central Pennsylvania. Departing from Orbisonia Station in Rockhill Furnace, this combo puts two historic routings on a single ticket: a newly reopened southbound stretch toward the community of Pogue and the classic northbound round‑trip to Colgate Grove. On the rails you move at a measured pace beneath low ridges and across open fields, windows framing miles of pasture, stone walls, and mixed hardwood stands. The southbound leg is newly reconstructed track—a short extension branded the March To Saltillo—so riders are literally among the first to experience restored trackage. The northbound portion covers a nine‑mile round trip to Colgate Grove where the train pauses and passengers disembark briefly for photos and the smell of hot iron in the railyard. This is a living museum experience. The East Broad Top Railroad, its EBT Foundation, and the Friends of the East Broad Top maintain vintage rolling stock and a historic shop complex that can be visited by guided tour. Inside the shops you’ll see century‑old maintenance bays, hand‑worn tools, and the shapes of steam and diesel equipment that powered regional industry. Trains on scheduled days are often steam powered, but diesel substitutes appear when needed; motive power may change without notice. Practical perks matter: coaches are enclosed with padded walkover seats and large opening windows; at least one wheelchair‑accessible car with a hydraulic lift is available on each train. Check-in happens at Orbisonia Station; tickets are issued in person and visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes early. The full combo runs about two hours total with a short layover in Rockhill Furnace between trips. Why book this? It’s rare to ride both directions in a single outing, especially when part of the route is a newly reopened extension. Families, history buffs, and landscape photographers will appreciate the mix of pastoral scenery and industrial heritage. Combine your ride with a guided shop complex tour to extend the visit into a half‑day; guided tours reveal the craft and conservation work that keeps this narrow‑gauge railroad running. Bring layered clothing, sun protection, and a camera, and prepare for narrow stairs when boarding historic cars. Whether you’re tracing the corridors of regional industry or chasing photographs of steam against fall color, this two‑ride combo is a compact, accessible gateway into one of Pennsylvania’s most authentic railroad restorations. Book early for select dates in the 2025 operating season; southbound excursions to Pogue run on limited days. Check the East Broad Top Railroad schedule in advance, and consider pairing your ride with a guided shop tour or short walks around the station.