A Family Minded business
Juniata & Aughwick is a community minded business. Started and owned by locals, we stride to create service that will both entice new industry to locate in Mount Union, PA and service the needs of industry in the area already.
In addition to commercial needs, we want to show the fun side of trains as well. Representing railroad history in partnership with the Bricktown Museum, we want to keep the story of Central Pennsylvania industrial history relevant in the minds of everyone, and part of that is through offering rides over our little railroad.
HISTORY
In 1850, the Pennsylvania Railroad had constructed its mainline near the Pennsylvania Canal. In 1872 the East Broad Top Railroad reached Mount Union with their narrow gauge tracks interchanging at what is now Franklin Street.
By 1906 the PRR had realigned the tracks away from Mount Union, and the East Broad Top took over operation of the track to the Harbison Walker brickyard.
By 1956 the East Broad Top Railroad was abandoned and the PRR resumed operations through the yard.
Around 1984 the last carload of bricks was hauled out of Mount Union leaving only a handful of sporatic customers.
In the 1990s PENNDOT realigned the US route 522 which cut the siding to the last customer out of the railroad. The railroad was then sold in 1999 into private ownership.
In the early 2000’s a company called the Mount Union Connecting Railroad restored part of the railroad line, purchased a locomotive and received four cars on interchange, the first freight on the line since 1998.
In 2013, the East Broad Top Connecting Railroad was formed to create a shortline and car storage operation on the railroad. This lasted until 2025.
During that same year a local entrepreneur approached the owners about selling the railroad, and an interim operations agreement was installed. The Juniata & Aughwick Railroad was born, and with the dedication of friends and family they set out to rebuild the railroad and make Mount Union a destination for industry and tourism.
