Horseshoe Curve

[StaynerBob]

Thanks Silver Fox: Your name caught my eye as I am a member of RCAF 441 Wing and our badge is the Silver Fox. Our Padre, Karl Ross, is a native of Altoona and we transported him their in the fall of 2015. A USAF veteran Col. Ret’d enjoyed visiting the Museum and seeing his grandfathers and fathers names displayed. I have visited the curve some 5 times and hope to return again. Cheers: Bob

www.rcaf441wing.com

[THOMAS_MCCONNELL]

Ron, freight trains run pretty much 24-7 so you’ll never have to wait long. Rare sightings are the once daily passenger trains (AMTRAK), which go east through the curve approx. 0930-1000 am, and west at approx. 5:20 pm… enjoy your visit.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Amtrak’s daily trains around the Horseshoe Curve can be viewed on-line on their Track-a-Train Map. On the Amtrak home page, the link is on the lower left (I have had problems posting a link directly to the map).

https://www.amtrak.com/home

The eastbound Pennsylvanian is scheduled to stop in nearby Altoona at 10:01 AM, and westbound at 5:06 PM. But today, for example, the westbound train was 27 minutes late at Altoona.

I have ridden Amtrak’s Broadway Limited and National Limited four times around the Curve, once looking out the open Dutch door of a Slumbercoach.

Per the current (July 4, 2016) schedule, in the morning you can board the EB train at Johnstown (or any point farther west), and go as far east as Lancaster, PA (12-minute connection, so presumes OT performance). Then change to the WB train and return to your point of origin. So 2 trips over the Horseshoe Curve in the same day, 1 in each direction - about 9:30 AM EB, and about 5:30 PM WB. Can’t do it in the opposite directions in the same day - need an overnight stay somewhere in the western stations.

Haven’t yet done this myself, but it’s on my ‘bucket list’.

• Paul North.

[zugmann]

Per the current (July 4, 2016) schedule, in the morning you can board the EB train at Johnstown (or any point farther west), and go as far east as Lancaster, PA (12-minute connection, so presumes OT performance). Then change to the WB train and return to your point of origin. So 2 trips over the Horseshoe Curve in the same day, 1 in each direction - about 9:30 AM EB, and about 5:30 PM WB. Can’t do it in the opposite directions in the same day - need an overnight stay somewhere in the western stations. Haven’t yet done this myself, but it’s on my ‘bucket list’. - Paul North.

That’s a tight connection. Even if everything is perfect - one cab signal drop (or ACSES issue) east of HBG and you won’t make it. I think I’d swap out at Harrisburg.

[PJS1]

If riding around the Horseshoe Curve both ways is the objective, I would take the eastbound Pennsylvanian from Johnstown.

Depending on the time of the year, you could stay at a motel in or near Johnstown and take a ride on the Johnstown Incline, assuming you select one of the dates that it is open. Google Johnstown Incline for the hours of operation.

Also, if you are a history buff, you could check out some of the sites made famous or infamous by the great Johnstown Flood.

The eastbound Pennsylvanian departs Johnstown at 9:04 a.m. and arrives in Altoona at 10:01 a.m. In addition to the curve you get a ride through the Gallitzin tunnels. Moreover, if you do it during the fall foliage season, you can see one of nature’s dramatic color shows. The westbound Pennsylvanian departs Altoona at 5:05 p.m. and gets you back to Johnstown by 6:00 p.m.

Unless a ride along the Juniata River is high on your list, get off in Altoona. There are several things to do. One would be to take a city bus to the campus of Penn State Altoona. It is a beautiful.

Not to be overlooked is the Railroaders Museum, which mentioned in another post, is worthwhile. Google Altoona Railroaders Museum for hours of operation.

Or you can take a bus to Juniata and have a looksee at the Norfolk Southern locomotive overhaul and repair shop(s). There are usually lots of locomotives waiting outside for the locomotive doctor.

Buses run from the Altoona Transit Center, whi

[garenbu]

While Horseshoe is a must see, don’t neglect the west slope … Cresson, Lilly, and Cassandra. Cresson has the Station Inn for an interesting bed and breakfast. Cassandra has a railfan park… Gallitzin has a park by the west tunnel portals of tracks 1&2.

Garen

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Cresson also has a “Railroad Park” with nice and fairly long viewing platform opposite the Station Inn - on the southeast side of the tracks and facing northwest, so the sun angle should be good most of the time. Also Vito’s Pizza and another eating place or two on the street facing the tracks.

• Paul North.