East Broad Top Engineer Tom Holder passed away

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

Sad news from the East Broad Top's facebook page:

EBT Facebook page wrote:

We're sorry to report that Tom Holder, who was the East Broad Top's regular engineer until about 2008, died Thursday in Huntingdon at age 84. Mr. Holder, a longtime teacher and principal at the Mount Union Area High School, will be remembered at the EBT for, among other things, his unflappable demeanor and his graceful hand on the whistle cord.

JimBoylan · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2016 11:54 am

Did he work for EBT before 1957?

asholley · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2016 4:12 pm

This is so sad! I have Stanley Hall and Tom Holder to thank for beginning my steam locomotive engineering. I remember when Stanley first invited me to start firing at the EBT in 1998. Toms initial reaction to having me on the engine was little more than a grunt and a "well c'mon!" My second weekend firing Stanley asked me, over lunch, if Tom had let me run the engine at all. Well that concreted it, putting 14 away that night Tom let me run the engine light and I have been hooked ever since!

I have so many stories I could share. Tom wasn't always the easiest person to get to know but he and I became friends, he even worked for me for few years driving cars back and forth to auction. Thanks to Tom I was privileged to run all 4 of the EBT Mikes and my time with him at the railroad will always be some of my fondest memories!

Within the last 2 months the EBT family has lost two great engineers and I have lost two friends. Tom is probably in Heaven with Dave Boyer right now discussing the "BIG" days on the EBT.

Tom was a true "hogger" who gave me a chance to do something many of us only dream of. Thanks Tom!!! Rest in peace my friend!!!!!

S. Weaver · **Posted:** Wed Feb 03, 2016 1:54 pm

"Good morning, young feller!"

asholley · **Posted:** Wed Feb 03, 2016 4:37 pm

To answer Jim's question posted earlier. Tom did not work for the EBT during common carrier days. He did work for the PRR prior to becoming a school teacher. Having grown up and living his whole life in Mt. Union he did share with me stories of riding on the EBT switchers in the Mt. Union yard and riding the EBT as a passenger and also riding in the cab of the Mikes during common carrier days. Let's not forget he also worked many years for Strasburg.