East Broad Top 16, named Nick, is a 2-8-2Mikado type steam locomotive and was built in June 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for freight service on the East Broad Top Railroad.[1] It was one of three larger Mikados built with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. It last ran in March 1956 before it was put into storage for several years. On August 10, 1985, Joe Kovalchick decided to restore EBT 16 into operating condition, but EBT 14 was chosen instead and returned to service in 1987. In December 2011, the East Broad Top Railroad was closed. On February 14, 2020, the East Broad Top Railroad is reopening, and all the engines are being restored into operating condition. In 2021, it was named Nick, after Nick Kovalchick. On June 24, 2022 the locomotive was in steam for the first time in 67 years. On February 1, 2023, Nick has returned to service and pulled its first excursion service on February 18 and 19, 2023. On March 2 and 3, the locomotive pulled the last winter excursion runs. On April 6 and 7, 2023 the locomotive pulled the first spring excursion runs. On May 18, 19, 20, and 24, 2023, the locomotive pulled the last spring excursion runs. On June 15 and 16, 2023 the locomotive pulled the first summer excursion runs. On July 27 and 28, 2023, the locomotive pulled the last summer excursion runs. On August 17 and 18, 2023 the locomotive pulled the first fall excursion runs. On September 14, 15, 16, and 20, 2023, the locomotive pulled the second fall excursion runs. On October 26 and 27, 2023 the locomotive pulled the third fall excursion runs. On November 11, 2023, the locomotive pulled the last fall excursion runs. On December 6, 2023 the locomotive pulled the last excursion service. As of 2024, the locomotive will do more excursion runs.
History
East Broad Top 16 is the fourth Mikado built in June 1916 being used for freight services and last ran in March 1956. On August 10, 1985, Joe Kovalchick decided to restore EBT 16 into operating condition, but EBT 14 was chosen instead and returned to service in 1987.[2][3][4] In December 2011, the East Broad Top Railroad was closed. On February 14, 2020, the East Broad Top Railroad is reopening, and all the engines are being restored into operating condition. In 2021, it was named Nick, after Nick Kovalchick.[5] On June 24, 2022, the locomotive was in steam for the first time in 67 years.[6][7] On February 1, 2023, Nick has returned to service[8][9][10] and pulled its first excursion service on February 18 and 19, 2023.[11][12] On March 2 and 3, 2023 the locomotive pulled the last winter excursion runs.[13][14][15][16][17] On April 6 and 7, 2023, the locomotive pulled the first spring excursion runs. On May 18, 19, 20, and 24, 2023 the locomotive pulled the last spring excursion runs.[18][19][20] On June 15 and 16, 2023, the locomotive pulled the first summer excursion runs. On July 27 and 28, 2023, the locomotive pulled the last summer excursion runs. On August 17 and 18, 2023 the locomotive pulled the first fall excursion runs. On September 14, 15, 16, and 20, 2023, the locomotive pulled the second fall excursion runs.[21][22] On October 26 and 27, 2023 the locomotive pulled the third fall excursion runs.[23][24][25] On November 11, 2023, the locomotive pulled the last fall excursion runs.[26] On December 6, 2023, the locomotive pulled the last excursion service.[27][28] As of 2024, the locomotive will do more excursion runs.[29]
