Originally published in the Timber Transfer, Vol. 24, No. 2, Fall 2006

The Friends of the East Broad Top's 25th reunion was held October 5-7, 2007. This was definitely the warmest reunion and Fall Spectacular, ever! There were 103 registrants. Our registrar, Pat Coleman, did a great job as usual.

EBT modeler Ron Pearson gave a presentation on the Rockhill Iron and Coal mine number 1. His talk included prototype information as well as modeling information. After the presentations there was a short business meeting led by president Hank Inman and pizza from Pizza Star. The company store was open Friday and Saturday under the supervision of Dick Ullery with help from Peter Gentieu, David Phillips, Jon Radder, Shawn Stauffer, and Andrew Van Scyoc. Other vendors included Rich Yoder Models, and Don Woshlo. Jim Vliet set up his train show display for us.

As usual, Saturday was the busiest day of the weekend. With 13 trains running from 9 AM until 8 PM, everyone had a chance to ride. In addition to the heavy iron, speeder rides were available throughout the weekend. When not on the rails, registrants had plenty of tours from which to choose. FEBT members Tom Diehl, Bob Reffner, and Bob Goldby led the traditional shop tours, Lee Rainey guided the EBT roundhouse tours, and Chris Coleman guided the Mt. Union tour and hosted the paint shop open house. Instead of the usual restoration tour we had presentations of three projects. On Saturday, Steve Jacobs presented the work on hopper #802 and Bill Adams presented combine 14. Bill Blomgren, Bob Harris, Fred Heide, Henry Oberding, David Phillips, Janet Tigue, Bill Waller, and Elizabeth Wohr helped Pat at the registration table. The information table was manned by Ken Benton, Bob Harris, Nancy Jacqmin, Henry Oberding, Carol & Dennis Straub, Janet & Tim Tigue.

Saturday evening began with dinner, featuring barbecued chicken and roast beef, and service awards presentations at the Orbisonia Fire Hall. Most folks rode the night train and returned to the Lion's Hall for the contest awards and auction. Contest committee chairman Bob Beebe, along with Bill Grow, presented awards for models and photographs submitted by FEBT members.

Craig Williams oversaw another successful auction which raised $1,496.80 for the restoration fund with help from John Snyder and Shawn Stauffer. The item that drew the most interest was the set of four FEBT 25th anniversary mugs donated by James Sucke. Other modeling supplies, art, books, EBT and other train memorabilia were donated by Bill Adams, Bob Beebe, Pete Clarke, Chris Coleman, Dave Crement, David Dietz, Nancy Jacqmin, Roy Keil, Vagel Keller, Allen Landis, Alfred Marks, Jr., Tom Middleton, Gene Milgram, Mike Mitzelfeld, James Rothermel, John Snyder, Jim Strong, Kevin Strong, Daniel Thomas, Craig Williams, Don Woshlo, and Rich Yoder.

On Sunday, Nancy Jacqmin opened the Robertsdale station and old Post Office and served coffee and doughnuts to hungry FEBT members. Vagel Keller and Ron Pearson led the ever-popular Robertsdale mine tour. Back at the railroad, there was a reprise of Saturday's roundhouse and shop tours and, of course, many trains and speeders to ride. Jim Bacon presented the work on the foundry and central shops in the third targeted tour.

In the end, a great time was had by all. Thanks to all of the volunteers who made this possible. (Please forgive me if I missed your name.)