Altoona & Horseshoe Curve

Our vacation is taking us to Altoona for a day of watching trains at Horseshoe Curve. I know that the area is rich in railroad history; what else is there in the immediate area that is a “must see?”

If possible, I’d especially like to see some of the older Pennsy towers and things like that. But I don’t have a lot of time, so I’d rather not run around a lot. If it’s not “right there,” close by, it’s probably not on this trip.

Thanks!

dlm

…My suggestion to you if time is limited, would be go to the Gallitzin tunnels…Just a short drive from Horseshoe Curve. You can stand on a street bridge and look right into a double track tunnel. Directions available there at the Curve museum.

And consider the downtown Altoona area as there are several bridges over the tracks suitable for photography. The Shops is on the east end of town and worth a look see. It’s all good and you are right there are more things to see than time to do them in one day. Been there about a dozen times and will go again when time is available.

Ed

Take the road to the west at hoseshoe curve that goes through the tunnel. When it ends make a left and you will come out on top of Tunnel Hill in Galitzen. You can look east up there for quite a distance toward Horseshoe. Then when you get down to route 22 go west to Cresson. That’s the high point for eastbound trains from Pittsburgh. There is a B&B there that caters to railfans. You should also go to the Portage incline that predates the PRR and was a series of lifts that lifted the canal boats over the Alleghenies. If you come up the route from the PA turnpike to Altoona you will go through Hollidaysburg where the PRR had their newest car shops. there may still be some interesting stuff in the boneyard there. Don’t know the direction you are coming from but a stop at the East Broad Top is well worth the time also.

In cresson they have a spot for the helper engines and they have a platform right by the main.They also have a scanner button you can push to see if anything is coming.The crossroads diner(or Inn??) is also a great place to pick up lunch.

stay safe

joe

THE RAILROADERS MUSEUM! Notice is called RAIL__ROADERS__ MUSEUM. It ain’t just 'bout trains but a portrayal of those who made the railroad and made it run. A great tribute to all railroaders everywhere and a must see for every railfan who wants to wear the badge railfan! Downtown Altoona, admission can be combined with Horseshoe Curve admission to save money, and take the whole family, too. Then go to see Gallittzen Tunnels and Cresson yard and flyover and Mule Shoe Curve and the PA Canal Museum, too. Don’t miss a thing, take your time and enjoy it all!

My pages on my three visits might help you some:

http://chatanuga.org/HC85.html

http://chatanuga.org/HC03.html

http://chatanuga.org/HC04.html

Kevin

They no longer leave the gates open sadly

When did they stop doing that?

Kevin

when i went up in oct 2007 the gates were closed…It was between 7:00-8:00

Any of you ever sense any hostility from “the locals?” I’ve heard some rumors… : (

dlm

…We have not. All our visits in the past decade or so have been in the daylight hours. Sensed nothing at all out of line. Not saying there is none, just we’re not aware of any.

I’ve spent a great deal of time in Altoona, both working and railfanning and have found the locals to be more than friendly. In fact, Altoona is one of my favorite PA cities.

Mine too. Very railfan friendly from my experience.

I’m sure that, even more than Altoona, the people of Gallitzin and Cresson derive a good deal of their communities’ income from railfans such as we are. They ought to be nice to us–as long as we are nice to them and respectful of their property. Sounds simplistic, I know, but it works–and we had no problems in Altoona and environs this past May.

(For the record, we went to the Curve and the Museum, stayed in Gallitzin, and did a bit of our shopping in Cresson. We also went to the small local museum by the tracks in Gallitzin.)

ive been to central PA more then a dozen times since 1976…the Curve…dinner and dancing in downtown Altoona…day at Cresson… the city park in Gallitzin…Muleshoe…Nanty Glo …lot of history in Johnstown…Blair and Cambria counties are full industrial history…railroading mining early iron industy…never had anything worse then a Hello from locals

i say have fun and bring pics back