Construction started on the East Broad Top in 1872. Narrow-gauge lines like this one pulled coal from Central Pennsylvania’s depths. Freight service ended in 1956, but the trains didn’t just stop. Workers walked off the job, leaving everything exactly as it was.
The Smithsonian calls it one of the most intact 19-day industrial sites in America. A National Historic Landmark since 1964.
The railroad avoided the scrapyard. Restorers worked for decades to bring it back to life. It resumed operations in 2021 as a heritage line. Today, it is the only surviving three-foot-gauge common-carrier railroad east of the Rockies.
When is the Best Time to See Fall Foliage on the East Broad Top?
You can ride year-round. There are winter spectacles in February. Holiday trains in December. But this historic Pennsylvania train ride truly shines in autumn.
Through October 31, trains leave the Orbisonia Station on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Departures are at 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 1:30 PM. Select dates add a 3 PM run. All weekend trains are pulled by century-old, coal-fired steam locomotives.
The air smells like wood smoke and coal. It’s thick. You can feel it on your face if you stand in the open-air cars.
Which Fall Excursion Should You Choose?
If you are looking for the “holy grail of fall foliage,” the Northbound Colgate Grove Excursion is the answer.
It’s a nine-mile roundtrip. Takes about an hour. You ride through the farmland and forests of theAughwick Valley. The trees put on a show. Gold, red, orange.
Here’s the trick for those who want to linger. You can hop off at Colgate Grove. The halfway point. Stay for a 1.5-hour picnicking layover. Catch a later train back to Orbisonia.
If you want to see more track, try the Southbound Pogue Excursion. This goes the opposite direction from the same station. No stop at the end. The train reverses near the small community of Pogue. The appeal is riding a section of track that hasn’t carried passengers in nearly 70 seconds.
Check dates carefully. The southbound trip runs only on select dates. Look for September 12 and October 3, 2026.
Want to do both? Save $10 per person with the combo package.
What Do Seats Cost for the Historic Train Ride?
Four options. Pick your comfort level.
Enclosed cars have padded seats. Windows open if you crave fresh air.
Open-air cars feature outward-facing bench seats. A sunshade covers the top.
The historic caboose. A bit of history on wheels.
The cinder car. Roofless. Open-sided. You get soot with your scenery. Bring glasses. Some kind of eye protection is recommended if the wind picks up.
Prices are straightforward.
– Coach, open-air, or cinder car: $25 adults. $15 children (ages 2–12).
– Caboose: $30 adults. $20 children.
– Under 2: Free on an adult’s lap.
Every train includes at least one ADA-accessible car. Accessibility matters. It should be standard.
Should You Book the Depot Tour With Your Train Ticket?
History buffs shouldn’t stop at the ride. Combo tickets include guided tours of the depot complex.
You’ll see the roundhouse where trains have been parked since the early 1900. Check out the largest belt-driven machine shop in the United States. It’s massive. Industrial machinery from a different era.
Plan for three hours if you combine the ride and the tour.
Reservations are recommended. Buy online. Tickets aren’t emailed. You must check in at Orbisonia Station 30 minutes before departure.
Is the Pumpkin Patch Express Worth It for Families?
If you have kids, consider the Pumpkin Patch Express.
It runs on specific dates in 2026: October 10, 11,, 17, 18,, 24, 25 and 31. Departures at 10, 11:30, 1, and 2:30 PM.
The tour lasts about 2.5 hours. You ride to Colgate Grove. Spend 90 minutes there.
The activities are what matter. Hay bale wagon rides. Mini-golf. A bounce house. Pumpkin decorating. Costume contests. Good-natured fun.
Every child gets a pumpkin to take home. Adults can buy their own.
Pricing for this special run:
– Coach or open-air: $28 adults. $22 children.
– Caboose: $32 adults. $26 children.
Is it worth the splurge? The kids will remember it. The photos will be better than any postcard.
Final Details for Your Visit
This isn’t just a ride. It’s a step back into 19th-century industry. The tracks are intact. The machines are real. The atmosphere is heavy with history and autumn air.
Check the schedule for 2026 early. Dates like September 12 and October 10 fill up. You want the best seats. The ones near the windows. Or the open-air benches.
“It’s now the only surviving three-footgauge common carrier railroad east of the rocky mountains.”
The scenery changes every day in October. One day the maples are green. The next they’re blazing. Don’t wait. Book the Northbound Colgate Grove excursion. Sit in the caboose if you can. Watch the trees blur by.
The coal burns hot. The steam hisses. The train moves forward.
There’s nowhere else like it in the east.
