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Good News
Nonprofit to Take Over East Broad Top

A startup nonprofit group signed an agreement to operate Pennsylvania’s East Broad Top Railroad in May, a move that it hopes will create a more stable living for the narrow gauge tourist line. The East Broad Top Rail Preservation Association was to take over operations before the start of this tourist season. It hopes restore 2-8-2 No. 15 nearly identical to No. 14 which currently pulls trains, to service. It also hopes to extend EBT’s operations six miles to Mount Union pa. Behind the new organization is Larry Salone, who’s served as director of the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pa. since 2007. Salone takes over from the Kovalchick family, which has owned the railroad since it gave up its common carrier duties in 1956

 Walthers has been named the sole distributor for LGB in North America.

They have hired Ron Gibson as the LGB sales specialist within the company.  In his new role, Ron Gibson will concentrate on bringing the LGB line back into distribution in North America. Working at Walthers and in the field, to re-established the LGB authorized retailer program, development of new products, educating staff on the features and intricacies of the line, and most important, establishing a repair department at the Walthers Milwaukee facility.

Ron has been known in large scale community as “Mr. LGB” for the last 20 years. Always willing to listen and answer questions, it is great to have him back in the game.

In conjunction with the re-birth of LGB, Silvergate Manufacturing has stated making replacement parts for LGB engines, to help you keep your engines running for future generations to come. Just E-mail your parts inquiry to part@silvergatemanufacturing.com or you can fax them at (858)444-8290.

New Locomotive

On February 19, 2009, HRH Prince Charles christened the first new mainline steam locomotive to be constructed from the ground up in Great Britain in 48 years in York. After the ceremony the “Tornado” now officially named was coupled to the Royal Train and hauled it to Leeds where the Prince had a speaking engagement. The “Tornado” is certified to operate at 75 mph. Later this summer the “Tornado” will do its final certification to operate at 90 mph.