Shining Through #15311

The Story

Wreathed in steam, East Broad Top RR #16 shoulders into the pull as it begins to move forward through the railyard at Rockhill Furnace. White steam and black smoke shoot straight up into the sky as the steam locomotive begins to chuff. It’s time to head north to Mt Union to deliver the tons of coal that are trailing behind.

The background mountain is alive in fall color, and the railroad’s red shop buildings with their distinctive twin smokestacks rise above. Soon, they will be making smoke as the maintenance machinery begins to turn, and the everyday workday begins again for both trainmen and the mechanics alike.

Location: a view into the 1920s industrial age at Rockhill Yard, Orbisonia, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Picture and story © Andrew Dierks