It appears we will be going to the Bethlehem, Pa. area in late July.
Having never been to the Horseshoe Curve/Galitzen/Altoona area, other than thru on the Broadway Limited, where would you go to watch trains for a few hours, lets say as an overnight (evening/morning) spot?
This is not a railfan trip, but the fiance is sympathic…to an extent.
ed
Ed
I would say Cresson Pa might be your best bet.I know there is a tunnel inn at galitzin but the station inn is a little further from the tracks.Also the tunnel inn usually is full year round.Cesson you can watch helpers go out as they are waiting in the yard. We did a trip to all 3 spots a couple years ago.The crossroads restaurant is also good in cresson too.enjoy your trip.
stay safe
joe
Horseshoe Curve is simply the best trainwatching spot in the East. It is very easy to get to from Altoona. It is a very nice park with things to interest non railfans. Altoona also has their railroaders museum which is well worth the time. Altoona also has lodging in all price ranges. Every railfan should visit Horseshoe Curve at least once in their lives.
There is nothing quite like being at horseshoe and having the headlight of a westbound round Kitanning point heading uphill. You will see it four or five minutes before it rounds the curve climbing the whole way. You should probably know that there are also over 100 steps up to the viewing area at track level if the park service tram isn;'t running.
There is sympathetic and then there is understanding.[:-^] You could get a room at the Station Inn and the two of you could sit on teh front porch enjoying the evening air and when she is tired or bored of it, she could head up to the room. Gallitzin, just up the road has a tourist centre and picnic area if you wanted to just stop for a couple hours and the Curve a little further up is much the same but more oriented towards the family. If you have never been to the curve you need to go to say you have been.
Depends on exactly what you’re looking for. I pretty much agree with the other posts above - esp. that you have to go to Horseshoe Curve at least once in your lifetime.
Horseshoe Curve has the best ambiance, IMHO - out in the country, lots of sunshine and trees, good place to read a book or magazine while waiting for a train, restrooms when the Vistor’s Center is open, etc. But the photo angles are poor - mainly from the inside only, without a lot of hiking or special arrangements. It’s an ideal stage, with the trains entering from the wings - and I’ve always enjoyed it at sunset and at night, when the headlights sweeping around the mountains and off into the air, and the beams of light from the signal bridges, etc. can be very dramatic. But now - along with the enhancement of the funicular car to get from the parking lot up to the track level, instead of having to climb the 90 or 100 steps - it’s been fenced in, and access up there may be prohibited when the Vistor’s Center is not open - which this season is either 10 or 11 AM to 8 PM - see http://www.railroadcity.com/index.php?r=site/hours Since you specifically indicated evening/ morning, I’d call and check. The other thing is, those evening hours are usually when the Curve is busiest - it’s often pretty quiet during the mid-day hours.
Gallitzin has its Tunnel Park - http://www.gallitzin.info/park.php - and The Tunnel Inn - http://www.thetunnelinn.com/ - and many photo angles, including some overhead bridges. The basic track layout there is something that seems like a portion of a m
I suppose it’s a subjective item…Personal likes and dislikes. The Tunnel Inn at {Gallitzin’s}, Allegheny tunnel of course fits the bill by being right on the spot to witness activity as it exits and enters the tunnel. I don’t know about how far ahead one has to make reservations though…
There is a 2nd tunnel elsewhere so some of the traffic must pass through it…Not visible from that location. At Gallitzin, the Allegheny Tunnel Inn spot, there is a bridge one can stand on and look right into the double track tunnel, and of course watch in the other direction of approaching trains to the tunnel. There is another {out of service tunnel at that location too}.
But…just a few miles from there you will find Horseshoe Curve. A great spot to witness activity all the way up and around the alignment as well as trains decending the grade…It is a very good spot to stop and railfan as the activity passes in front of you…and of course around both ends of the curve. Grade is stiff there {about 1.8%}, so trains are working hard to climb up and around towards the summit. And of course, watch the braking action for decending east bound consists.
The Horseshoe location has a good parking area along with facilities to see history of the location, {musuem, visitors center}, and things of RR interest. Also a “tram” type vehicle to hoist one up to track level. The “Funicular” is an incline plane vehicle that does that job.
I suppose if it was my choice between the two…I’d select “Horseshoe”. But they are relatively close together…ma
Tunnel Inn, Gallitzin, hands down. Have stayed there six times and all the creature comforts are there.
Station Inn NOT air-conditioned. Tunnel Inn, yes.
Tunnel Inn has private restrooms.
Tunnel Inn is the cleanest B&B we’ve ever stayed in.
The warm muffins and hot coffee at your door, plus the take-along goody basket are great touches.
Deck is right on top of old Pennsy main, and the crest of the climb is right in front of you. Scanner on deck, chimera proves warmth, and your room is less than 25 feet away. History museum across street, picnic area.
And DO read up on the history of the area before you go – Altoona, Juniata, The Curve, the mining railroads, the Tunnels, Cresson… also take part of a day and go south to Cassandra Overlook for some great pictures.
I’d agree that the Tunnel Inn is a great place for ‘total immersion’ railfanning but it is very close to the tracks so don’t expect much sleep if you are in one of the trackside rooms.
If you have the time you have to visit Horseshoe Curve, but I quite like Cassandra (a few miles west of Cresson) as a train-watching spot - away from busy highways, a pedestrian footbridge spanning the tracks and space for picnicing if the weather is decent (there are even benches to sit on).
Tony
What cannot be overstated is how great the area is for railfanning and that the whole choice is yours. NOR can it be overstated that you must go the the Railroaders Museum in Altoona. It gives a great perspective, not on motive power, equipment, and finances, but rather on the RAILROADERS themselves, the work they did, the lives they had on and off the job no matter what thier station in life. It is compelling in that you get a great perspective on what you see trackside today and in history books, too. There is a combination museum and Horseshoe Curve ticket, too, that will save a few bucks. As for your fiance, I would suggest a nice hotel away from the railroad is a good idea. I mean I don’t think you should show her just how crazy you, and the rest of us, actually are!
If your fiance is not really into trains, downtown Altoona has some very nice hotels. You won’t be next to the tracks so you will get a nice, quiet & cozy room with lots around, such as shopping centers, movie theater, restaurants etc. Horse Shoe Curve, Gallitzin and Cassandra are no more than a half hour drive away. The Station Inn in Cresson and the Tunnel Inn in Gallitzin are great IF YOU WANT TO HEAR AND SEE TRAINS 24/7. It’s up to you. Just go to the Altoona, PA website and you will find lots of lodging and things to do. Have fun!!!
Wow, big time responces…thanks.
First, what is the best reference on the web for the Altoona - Creston area? I recall Trains had a big article on HC about 6 years ago. I will dig it out.
Regarding accomodations…I made the mistake several years ago while staying in Flagstaff of staying adjacent to the BNSF. When it is time for sleep, I dont want to have trains a block away. My home is located with one mile of two major lines and with the windows open, I sleep well, however one block away is pretty close.
I can probably talk her into several outings…sounds as if the Curve is a must. I also want to see some tunnel action.
Are there any towers in operation in Altoona (Slope?)? Or if not in operation at least standing? I am a tower guy.
Allentown/Bethlehem area interests me as well. The area from A/B north on the former LV interests me, including the Staracca Viaduct up north. Dont know if that will be possible, with time constraints. I must remember the point of the trip is a visit with her father.
Oh, one more thing. What is the best way to get to Altoona coming from the west? We will take the Indiana and Ohio Turnpikes (I90) across to Pa. Is US 22 four lane? Or would you take the PA Turnpike to US 219 and then up? I have absolutely no problem driving on 2 lane highways thru small towns…just drove 270 such miles today.
Thanks,
ed
Haven’t been over that way in about 5 years now, but have been there in 1985 (http://chatanuga.org/HC85.html), 2003 (http://chatanuga.org/HC03.html), and 2004 (http://chatanuga.org/HC04.html). If you decide to stay in the area, I’d recommend the Tunnel Inn in Gallitzin. It’s very comfortable, and despite being close to the tracks, I had no trouble falling asleep. The deck outside overlooking tracks 2 and 3 is very nice for guests to gather, visit, and watch the trains. There’s also a small stove on the deck for on chilly nights. The owners are also very helpful in their directions to different locations around the area. Also, if you are into history, a visit to the Allegheny Portage Railroad historic site just south of Gallitzin would be a good stop as well. At Cresson, there’s a railfan deck in the park, which gives a good view down the tracks as well as the helper service area. In Altoona, there’s the museum as well as several locations to watch trains and learn some history of the area.
Kevin
There are some links that you might find helpful on my pages, in particular the 2003 and 2004 trips.
Alto is the only operating tower in that area, I believe. Slope has been gone for a while as well as MO in Cresson. AR is closed but visible from the street bridge over track 1. MG is standing but inaccessible.
Coming from the west, you’ll want to get on US 22, which I believe is all 4-lane now.
Kevin
Forum member Nora recommended that we stay at the Tunnel Inn, because it was cleaner than the Station Inn. We stayed there, and it was worth it! We later realized that not all of the trains that appear on the Curve go through the tunnels there (whereas all of them do go by Cresson).
We plan on staying at the Station Inn on one of our trips out, but, now knowing that it’s not air-conditioned, will make that trip at a more appropriate time of the year.
I’d also like to go to the new B&B by the Rockville Bridge, near Harrisburg, sometime.
Now, as to the Curve, three words: Get up there! You’ll have to pay, and I’d strongly recommend the option that also includes the Railroaders’ Memorial Museum in Altoona. Lots of old equipment that you can walk around, and good exhibits inside. But the curve is everything everyone else has said, and more! Ride the funicular up, take the stairs down. Bring a book or a magazine if you must, but just sit up there and drink it all in–the sound of dynamics on the downhill trains, hearing the uphill trains long before they come into sight…can’t beat it! And you’re definitely not used to curves that sharp around here!
A word of caution, if you’re planning on staying late: I heard somewhere that the park is now actually closed during the hours that the funicular doesn’t run, so you may not be able to linger or arrive early. But that may be just a rumor, or it may have changed.
Fiancee now? Congratulations, Ed!
Well, I started on a response earlier in response to PoppaZit’s suggestion, but somehow I lost it. So here goes again -
| Horseshoe Curve Trains, May 1952 page 28 Notable feats of railroad engineering ( ENGINEERING, “GLOFF, GEORGE A.”, HORSESHOE, LINE, PRR, TRN ) |
|---|
World’s busiest mountain railroad Trains, April 1957 page 16 Pennsylvania between Altoona and Pittsburgh ( DIVISION, “MORGAN, DAVID P.”, PRR, TRN )</ |
Almost forgot about this one - for you, it would be a ‘DON’T MISS’ - about a year ago NRHS - Harrisburg Chapter reopened its restored PRR ‘HARRIS’ Tower - complete with a one-of-a-kind ‘operable’ interlocking machine and ‘model board’. It’s open most summer Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM - see and click on the link at -
And on the way, HUNT Tower in Huntington, PA -see - http://prr.railfan.net/photos/HuntTower_EdKaspriske_90825_12.jpg and
http://www.bullsheet.com/news/prt-huntpa-photo.html - says open on summer Fri., Sat., and Sun.
http://www.huntingdonheritage.org/hunt_co_tran_soc.asp - says open Weds. - Sun. 11 AM to 4 PM.
http://www.museumstuff.com/rec/org_20020201_13545.php
Ed –
To spend just a few hours in the Altoona/Horseshoe Curve/Gallitzin/Cresson area is like going on a four-hour honeymoon. I’ve spent 4-5 days there and still went home wanting for more.
To be honest, and everyone has their own needs, the accomodations at the Tunnel Inn (TV in every room, A/C) is like a luxury hotel. The Station Inn (no A/C, no in-room TVs last time I was there) is one notch above camping. Depends on how much you want to pay. I guess. I’ve met people who told me they paid to park in the rear of the Station Inn and slept in their vans. I think Station Inn still sells booze in its lounge.
Tunnel Inn does not have phones in the rooms, so make sure you take a cell.
Come in on the Turnpike. Stay at a hotel in downtown Altoona. See Horseshoe Curve and The Railroaders’ Museum. Starrucca, Tunkhannunk, et al, are a good four to five hours away, so foreget about it. Visit her father, and go back west via Rt 22 if you have the time, visiting Gallitzen and Cresson on the way.
Horseshoe Curve, Gallitzin, and Cresson are all fairly close to each other so if you have a little time you can actually spend some time at all of them and see which you prefer. They all have their attributes. If you stay somewhere and choose the Tunnel Inn, just keep in mind that you miss some trains there that go down the other line.
