Charles E. Brake Transport

In the world of American trucking, few companies can trace their roots back more than a century. Charles E. Brake Transport, based in south-central Pennsylvania, stands as a testament to perseverance, innovation, and four generations of family leadership. The story began in 1924 when Charles E. Brake purchased a 1924 Ford Model T dump truck for $850. With that single truck, he helped transform Franklin County’s dirt roads into paved
connections, linking communities at a time when modern infrastructure was still taking shape. As Pennsylvania grew, Brake was helping lay the foundation. By the late 1930s, Charles E. Brake had become involved in some of the state’s most significant construction projects, including work on the Blue Mountain and Kittatinny Tunnels along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The second generation joined early. Harold Brake, Charles’s son, began helping with the
business at just 14 years old. In 1957, Harold expanded operations by partnering with PennDOT on snow removal, ensuring the company remained productive through Pennsylvania’s harsh winters. Innovation remained a priority—by 1952, Charles E. Brake Company had already become one of the first fleets in the region to adopt two-way radios, greatly improving safety and
coordination long before the technology became industry standard.
The third generation arrived in 1974 when Randal Brake officially joined the company. Starting out as a dump-truck driver, Randy developed a lifelong passion for trucking and helped guide the company through decades of industry change. In 1979, the business relocated to its current home
at 6450 Lincoln Way West in Saint Thomas, Pennsylvania, where it continues to operate today. The fourth generation took the wheel in 2017 when Charles Emerson Brake, great-grandson of the founder, assumed ownership. In 2020, Charles purchased his dream truck—a 2020 Kenworth W900L—reflecting his appreciation for sharp, clean equipment. That passion was shaped early
on by memories of his grandfather’s 1947 Reo and his father’s 1976 Brockway, trucks that helped define the company’s legacy. Today, Charles E. Brake Transport operates a small fleet of trucks and a diverse lineup of trailers,
including dry vans, step decks, RGNs, and flatbeds. The company serves customers across the manufacturing, agricultural, and construction industries. While the equipment and highways have changed, the company’s values have not. “Charles E. Brake Transport is committed to our customers and strives to be recognized as an integral part of their success,” says Charles E. Brake. “As a fourth-generation owner, I’m proud of where we came from—and even more proud to carry the family legacy forward.” After more than a century on the road, Charles E. Brake Transport continues to prove that strong
foundations, family leadership, and hard work never fails.