Horseshoe Curve and Railroaders Memorial Museum

The Schaffer and Cropp kids

I can still remember the first time I ever heard of the Horseshoe Curve: I was in my final year of college, doing a community nursing rotation at the student health clinic for Penn State's Altoona campus.  The nurse I worked with talked about the Curve, about what an engineering marvel it was, and while I politely listened, I could not have cared less.  And I most certainly did not make the short drive out to the Curve to see what all the fuss was about.

I think it was at least 10 years later before I made my first trip out there, long before kids, when Rich's parents were visiting for the weekend. But, since that first visit, I've been there plenty.  Turns out, that nurse was right... it is pretty cool and it really is an engineering marvel.

Watching a train at the Curve

The curve was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (located in the Kittanning Gap near the summit of the Allegheny Front) nearly 150 years ago, enabling rail travel across the state.  Designed by John Edgar Thomson and Herman Haupt, the horseshoe shape lengthens the accent and decent of the trip, resulting in a more reasonable gradient over a much longer distance.  Several engines pull and push trains up and down the mountain and with more than 50 trains scheduled to pass through each day, you are virtually guaranteed to see multiple trains move through the Curve during a visit.  The Curve has three tracks, so it is possible that you will see three freight trains at the same time - on Wednesday, we saw two simultaneously.

Admission to just the Horseshoe Curve is $6 (regardless of age), while a combination pass ($10 for adults, $7 for children under 12) will also give you access to the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona.  Once inside the gates at the Curve, you can walk up the 194 steps to the observation park - I didn't count them, I just read it on their website - or you can ride the funicular car.

the Funicular

I highly recommend the car, at least on the way up.  Especially if your lazy, 35 pound five-year old daughter is looking to be carried up the last 180 or so steps. 

Our four adventurous days in the Philadelphia area with the Schaffer family last month did not keep them from spending a few days with us here in Central PA.  In our original plans, we were headed to Delgrosso's Amusement Park for the day (FYI - WKSB radio is offering a Buy One Get One free deal through August 26).  But, in a surprising deviation from the weather that typically comes when we spend time with them (hot, hot, hot with a little humid thrown in), we were rain-out.  Instead, I decided to hand-pick the Curve and Railroaders Museum from the Jar of Fun as it was one of the few indoor (and open) activities still in play this summer. 

We grabbed lunch at the famed Hungry Howie's Pizza, made famous by the many times we've heard the Shaffer family talk about it, on our way out to the Curve, huffed and puffed our way up the stairs, watched some trains, and ate.  When the kids had their fill of trains (and pizza), we walked back down the steps to check out the small museum at the base of the funicular car... nothing too exciting here, though there was this great picture of the Curve that I really liked: taken on the 100th anniversary of the Curve back in 1954. In the picture, which required weeks of preparation, "6,000 synchronized flashbulbs took what must be the most elaborate nighttime railroad shot ever." 

After a quick pass through the museum, the kids did manage to squeeze in one ride on the funicular... I love that word (which is why I keep writing it) even though I don't call it that while we're there.  I call it an incline; it's not as good as one of the Pittsburgh inclines or even the Johnstown incline, but it's all the kids have known.  On the ride up, another passenger let us know that he had just seen a train along the tracks in Cresson and sure enough, as we were getting off the funicular, you could hear it beginning the decent down the mountain.

Before making a second trek down the steps, we took a few pictures and I especially love this one of me and the kids!  Even now, when I look at this picture, two things immediately come to mind.  First, I wish the sun were out.  I hate dreary days and Wednesday was about as dreary as they come.  Second, I was thinking this place will be beautiful in the fall... the only time I've been down in the fall, Matt was just a baby and I stayed in the car with him while it RAINED like nobody's business... ironically, we were with Schaffer's that day too!

After the Curve, we spent some time at the Railroaders Memorial Museum - a place I don't really recommend for younger kids.  Aside from a community room with several train tables, wooden track and every imaginable Thomas the Tank friend, there are very few interactive things for the younger set.  Just lots of history, lots to look at, and lots to read.  All that adds up to lots of reasons not to go back for a few years.  The Curve on the other hand, I'd have no problem going back to or taking the kids to.  Everyone loves to watch the trains and as an adult, I appreciate the Curve in a way the kids don't.

Amtrak's Pennsylvanian runs between New York and Pittsburgh once each day (via Philadelphia) and is the only regularly scheduled passenger train to go through the Horseshoe Curve.  If I am reading the train schedule correctly, we could board the train in Johnstown and ride to Altoona, taking us through the Curve.  The trip lasts for just under an hour and would cost less than $10 per person.  I have a feeling we'll have to do this one of these days... maybe in the fall!!!