Assisting a 3' foot narrow gauge railroad

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photographs property of JC McHugh collection

The McHugh family since 1964 has provided equipment, materials, or labor, on several projects at the East Broad Top railroad. In 2001 the EBT's owner Joe Kovalchick had JC McHugh assist the railroad with being a steam locomotive fireman during that years Fall Spectacular, this event was the last time 3 steam locomotives operated on the EBT. Then beginning in 2005 JC McHugh has operate the  M-7 diesel locomotive during the annual Fall Spectacular railfan weekend events as a gesture of the Kovalchick family to show their appreciation to the McHugh family for assisting the railroad. The Kovalchick family in 2008 had Ann McHugh become the first offical female engine crew member at the East Broad Top railroad and assigned her to be on the M-7 diesel locomotive during the annual event.

In late September 2009 the McHugh family was asked to assist the new East Broad Top Railroad Preservation Association with some issues on the M-7 locomotive and a estimated cost proposal was submitted. The railroads general manager then informed the McHugh family that the 2009 EBT Fall Spectacular was going to be canceled because of the overall cost related to preform these minimum repairs on the M-7 locomotive. During the period of 09/27 thru 09/29 three proposals were sent to the EBT general manager and each time we reduced our price by providing additional discounts or donating materials. The McHugh family made this offer to reduce approximately 1/3 off the total repair cost of the M-7 project because like so many other people they have a desire to see the EBT preserved and continue operating in the future.

The M-7 received the minimum repairs that would make it be operatable during the week prior to the 2009 Fall Spectacular. The #15 steam locomotive during the entire weekend event would have failures of the air pumps during all of it's scheduled train runs, along with having two of the mid Saturday runs canceled because the air pumps would not work at all. The M-7 proved it's value by providing motive power for those two trains along with going to the rescue of the failed #15 night time steam train when it devoloped issues and was stranded out at the end of the main line with a train full of people.

During the event Joe & Judy Kovalchick thanked Jimmy, Ann, & JC McHugh for their quick response to having the M-7 back into operation, and informed them that without their assistance along with donation of the replacement # 2 traction motor and #2 traction generator the EBT would have not had a 2009 Fall Spectacular.

This web page is unofficial and does not represent the veiws of: the East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, the non-profit operator E.B.T.R.P.A., the Kovalchick Corp., McHugh RR Maint. Equip., Inc., or any other group or person. This web page is a recollection of the McHugh family in regards to them volunteering, donating materials, & assisting, the EBT from 2001 until October 2009.

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October 2001, JC, Ann, & Jimmy McHugh, stand next to EBT steam locomotive #14 the engine JC has been assigned as second fireman for the event. This will be the last time that three EBT steam locomotives will ever operate, they were #14, #15, & #17.

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Paul Fassano preforms the welding repairs to #14's driver.

Jimmy & JC McHugh take a ride on the newly opened south section of the line along with two other people during the 2007 Fall Spectacular.

During the third week of May 2005 the McHugh family was asked to assist the EBT with repairs to a defective driver wheel on the #14 steam locomotive that had several cracks in it's spokes. Two other companies had previously attempted the work but failed, McHugh employee welder Paul Fassano spent 5 weeks preforming the task of repairing the cast iron driver. The EBT was quoted over $40,000.00 for a replacement driver set with a 4 to 5 month delivery date from a steam locomotive rebuilder, however this was not a option because it would have been delivered after the 2005 season would have finished. The McHugh company donated the materials for the project and also only charged for their welders weekly take home pay wages, not our standard hourly billing rate providing a 2/3 cost savings to the EBT.

Unfortunately the #14 was taken out of service in November 2005 and it was to then receive the mandated FRA inspection, but to date nothing has been done to locomotive since that time.  

JC McHugh had informed the EBT general manager on several occasions over a 4 year period that high voltage electrical defects along with numerous mechanical defects were found on the M-7 locomotive. The locomotive was continued to be operated with the defects never being repaired and it then caused failure of the #2 traction motor & #2 traction generator during 2009.

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When the #14 steam locomotive was out of service during the first 5 weeks of the 2005 operating season, motive power for passenger trains was the M-7 locomotive. The locomotive had a failed #1 traction motor electrically and also the bearing supporting the armature was so worn out that the communtator was hitting the brush holders. The EBT's general manager Stanley Hall & foreman / M-7 engineer Dan Gilliland were informed that the locomotive should be taken out of service because if  it was continued to be operated futher damage would result. The  statement was then made by the EBT Rockhill management that, "there is the right way, the wrong way, & the East Broad Top way to do things". These two men made the decision to continue operating the M-7 for another seven days of excursion service until it caused complete failure of the #1 traction  generator making the M-7 locomotive in-operateable. To help offset this costly mistake of the EBT Rockhill staff, in August 2005  Joe & Judy Kovalchick along with  JC & Ann McHugh donated the replacement traction generator, with the  labor to replace the #1 failed traction generator being donated by a volunteer and JC McHugh.

Dave Brady, Paul Fassano, Matt Urban, & JC McHugh, work on repairing the M-7 just a few days prior to the 2009 fall Spectacular.

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The 2009 Fall Spectacular M-7 locomotive crew Ann & JC McHugh working on their 10th wedding anniversary on 10/09/09.

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Ann McHugh carefully watches for a signal from the conductor before the M-7 freight train leaves the station.

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JC McHugh engineer of the Saturday 4:00pm passenger train as he backs steam locomotive #15 onto the coach track.  

The McHugh  family in 2010 has decided after many years of volunteering at tourist railroads that it is just to much like going to work at our every day jobs. We are now going to spend our limited free time enjoying other activies. 

JC McHugh operates the last 2009 EBT Fall Spectacular train with #15 on the Sunday 4:00pm train with steam locomotive #15 as it heads back to Rockhill.