The U.S. state of Pennsylvania is a state with so many historic sites. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution in Philadelphia to the discovery of oil in Titusville, everywhere you step in Pennsylvania, history took place. When it comes to the railroad, one of the great railroad sites in the World Famous Horseshoe Curve in the city of Altoona.
Yes, there are other horseshoe curves. What makes this one so famous?
In the early years of the United States of America, settlers arrived on the beaches of the Atlantic Coast. As they came, there was a desire to go west from the Atlantic Ocean. The first attempt was the famous horse and buggy. Then they arrived at the Appalachian Mountains. Building roads over the mountains were very difficult. Then came canals. However, the canals were hard to build over mountains. Then came the railroad. The railroad then had a run-in with the mountain. Then an idea came. Instead on building the tracks straight up the mountainside, why not build the railroad bed along the side of the mountain going up the mountainside gradually. The railroad bed was built gradually going up the mountain into a cove where it made a U-turn on the mountainside. The World Famous Horseshoe Curve was complete. Trains were able to get up the mountain with a little help of the Gallitzin Tunnels allowing trains to from the cities of the Atlantic Ocean to the interior of the United States of America.
Today, the World Famous Horseshoe Curve is designated as a National Engineering Landmark. An engineer can drive his locomotive through the curve, and he could see the back of his train. Train watchers come and spend a day watching the trains roll through the curve. Along with the passing trains, there is also a small museum showing how the curve was built and the great efforts that were made to build the curve.
The World Famous Horseshoe Curve is located at 2400 Veterans Memorial Highway outside of the city of Altoona. (Please note that there is a tunnel north of the site with a height limit not suitable for busses and large recreational vehicles. Busses and large vehicles must approach the curve from the city of Altoona and not from U.S. Route 22.) Access to the viewing area is accessible to wheelchairs by way of funicular that operates during open hours. You can get more information, admission, and of hours at https://www.railroadcity.org/horseshoecurve.
When in Altoona, visit the World Famous Horseshoe Curve. No, you will not find horseshoes, but you will see trains pass through a major engineering marvel.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 