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Spend an evening at the Orbisonia-Rockhill Fire Hall for a hearty Harshbarger's meal, restoration stories from the Friends of the East Broad Top, and rare 16mm films from the 1940s. A hands-on night of local history and archival cinema ideal for railfans and curious travelers.
Spend an evening at the Orbisonia-Rockhill Fire Hall for a hearty Harshbarger's meal, restoration stories from the Friends of the East Broad Top, and rare 16mm films from the 1940s. A hands-on night of local history and archival cinema ideal for railfans and curious travelers.
Book with East Broad Top
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Operated by East Broad Top · Orbisonia, Pennsylvania
On a cold winter evening in Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, the Orbisonia-Rockhill Fire Hall at 873 Elliot Street becomes a gathering place for railfans and neighbors, hosting the Winter Spectacular Dinner, a community night that blends home-cooked food, storytelling, and rare 16mm films. Harshbarger's Sub N' Malt provides the meal, offering a choice of grilled chicken with garlic red potatoes and island blend vegetables or a spaghetti pasta bar with marinara or Alfredo, accompanied by salad, homemade rolls, lemonade, sweet tea, and water. The dinner takes place inside the Orbisonia-Rockhill Furnace Volunteer Fire Company's dining hall at 873 Elliot Street, Orbisonia, PA 17243, a wheelchair-accessible venue with ramps for guests who need them. Presentations are led by General Manager Brad Esposito and members of the Friends of the East Broad Top, who review twenty-five years of restoration work, fundraising milestones, and ongoing conservation choices that shape the railroad's future. After the talk attendees gather for a film screening curated from the collection of the late Clarence Weaver and presented by Jeff Pontius of Penn Valley Pictures. The program brings black-and-white and color 16mm reels from the 1940s, including footage of East Broad Top operations, Pennsylvania Railroad scenes, and nearby short lines. Watching these archival reels projected on a community screen gives the images an immediacy that museum displays rarely capture, and sparks conversation about equipment, technique, and regional rail history. The Winter Spectacular Dinner is intentionally local: it folds food, film, and the volunteer energy behind the East Broad Top into one evening, so visitors can meet people who turn wrenches, keep schedules, and steward historic equipment. Practical details matter: the event lasts roughly 2.5 hours, train excursion tickets and museum admissions are not included with dinner, and organizers ask that guests contact them ahead of booking about dietary needs. Accessibility is noted: ramps are available at the hall, and staff accommodate reasonable needs. For travelers staying nearby, the event is an excellent evening option that complements daytime visits to the East Broad Top grounds and the Rockhill Trolley Museum. Bring a camera for candid portraits and exterior shots, but avoid using flash during film projection. The Winter Spectacular Dinner distills the appeal of small-town historical preservation: good food, archival media, and people who care enough to show up and put history on display. For visitors curious about the East Broad Top, this evening is a focused, welcoming way to learn, ask questions, and leave with stories to carry forward. Tickets typically sell in advance, and attendees should arrive early to find seating and settle in. Local volunteers often mingle after the screening, so plan time to chat with them.
No. Train excursion and museum admissions are not included; purchase separate tickets for any daytime train rides or museum visits.
Yes. The Orbisonia-Rockhill Furnace Volunteer Fire Hall has wheelchair-accessible ramps at 873 Elliot Street and staff can assist with reasonable needs.
Organizers state no refunds; full value of tickets may be transferable to credit—contact the event provider about transfers if needed.
Presentations are led by General Manager Brad Esposito and Friends of the East Broad Top members; films are presented by Jeff Pontius from Penn Valley Pictures, from the Clarence Weaver collection.
Yes, but you must contact organizers prior to booking so the caterer can plan substitutions or special meals.
The evening runs approximately 2.5 hours, including dinner, presentations, and the film screening.
East Broad Top is a fully restored narrow-gauge railroad based in Rockhill, Pennsylvania, preserving one of the nation's most complete 3-foot gauge rail systems. The railroad operates historic steam locomotives, gasoline-electric motorcars, and vintage equipment to offer public excursions, special events, and behind-the-scenes tours. Guests can choose from scenic steam train rides, trolley rides in partnership with the Rockhill Trolley Museum, seasonal celebrations, and exclusive guided tours led by skilled staff. Historic attractions include one-hour steam train excursions, the M-3 and M-1 gasoline motorcar journeys, and specialty experiences such as the Master Mechanic's Tour and Archivist's Tour. The Master Mechanic's Tour grants visitors access to the roundhouse and rare narrow-gauge steam locomotives, while the Archivist's Tour offers a view of preserved documents and artifacts at Orbisonia Station. The property also hosts the Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American Music Festival and seasonal events like Christmas in Coal Country. Ticketed options include general admission train and trolley combinations, boxed lunches for pickup, and festival all-access passes. Seating on several motorcar excursions is limited, and many experiences provide insider access to restoration facilities and historic collections. Interpretive staff, preservation-focused programming, and the railroad's tangible archive materials support the site's educational value. East Broad Top's commitment to restoration, public programming, and collaboration with local museums makes it a trusted destination for visitors seeking authentic narrow-gauge railroad history. Visitors can explore restoration workshops, observe ongoing repairs, and learn from volunteers and staff who maintain the historic equipment and archives through scheduled programs and seasonal demonstrations.
Book with East Broad Top