Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark

Review for the «World Famous Horseshoe Curve»…
This place is very small and cute, and has a calm «Oh, cool» factor to it, but really nothing «incredible» or «Wow!!» There’s like a one room micro museum with a tiny lift ride that carries you up a hill (optional; you can walk up stairs). Then, you’re basically standing inside the curve watching a long train surround you as it passes (and that is if the trees aren’t blocking half the view)…and that’s about it. I might have walked out smiling with a «Hmm. That was neat» experience, but… What really upsets me is the ticket price. Absolutely insane! $ 7.00 per person? Are you kidding me? You’re basically paying like $ 28 for a family of four to view a train pass by on a hill… something you can see from the bottom for free in the parking lot minus the train passing in front of your nose. I expected more… like more angles we can walk to see the horseshoe from different views like you see in all the pictures on the web. Don’t expect that.
I really don’t get where all these other 5-​star reviews are coming from, and why the admission costs don’t bother them. Sorry, but you all must not get around much. There are places like Scranton and Strasburg that have train museums and rides with similar admission fees… comparing this place to there is like a theme park vs. a playground. This place is worth at most a «$ 3 admission at most with seniors & children under 12 free».

The museum is small but informative. Even though it was raining, I could see having a picnic here. Plenty of picnic tables. The best part was walking the steps to watch the trains come through and the horseshoe curve come alive. You can ride up to the top too if you don’t want to walk.

I’ve already planned a return trip next week, so speaking as a railfan, this is an amazing spot to watch trains.
First off, if you go off the park and visit the west side of the Curve, you are guaranteed probably the best view of the action of Norfolk Southern’s Pittsburgh Line (you are guaranteed 2 Amtrak trains if you plan on making it an all day visit). Overall however, anywhere’s from 50 to 70 trains traverse the line on a regular basis. The last time I was there was on a Saturday (Columbus Day weekend) from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, and I caught 24 trains (including train 43, the westbound Amtrak Pennsylvanian from NYC, and 3 helper movements).
Secondly, you have to be patient in some parts. Mornings are usually very consistent, but not hectic with the action. There is a bit of a lull around lunchtime, but after 1 pm, trains will be coming at a feverish pace, and you get all kinds. Manifests, intermodal (a good portion of your trains will be of this variety), coal drags, and much more. The crews that pass by will usually honk their horns and maybe even something from the helpers. Grab a chair, and some food (and a scanner if you have one), because its a great show to watch.
Lastly, if you have any children that you want to bring out. It is also recommended, and there’s food options not too far from the Curve, but I’d recommend bringing your own if you really don’t want to miss anything, which if you are like me, you won’t want to.
Have fun, enjoy the visit, and take all the pictures you can get!

The horseshoe curve itself is a fascinating engineering marvel… but really, $ 6 to climb the stairs and watch?
Other reviews adequately cover the rail experience itself, so I’m not going to cover that.
* From the parking lot, you enter the gift shop which requires making an immediate decision on ticket purchase — curve only or combo with the rail museum in Altoona. Do your homework and decide in advance.
* The store is tiny but cute and contains both curve and general rail souvenirs.
* While you’re at the cash register — grab a train schedule so you know when the trains are going to be going around the curve! The whole reason you’re there is to be in the middle of the curve when the train goes flying around the corner, so get a schedule. There are about 50 trains a day at varying intervals.
* Getting up to the track level on the curve means going up 150+ cement steps or taking an incline ride. The incline goes about every 30 minutes and it isn’t related to when trains will or won’t be going by up top. The stairs are — let’s face it — exhausting going in either direction. Choose carefully. We rode up and walked down.
* There are real train buffs and geeks up by the track. They had a lot of fancy camera gear and train nerd knowledge about locomotives and train types. It’s a serious train geek hang out. If that’s your thing, you are in heaven!
* Once you’re up top, there is a drink vending machine, picnic tables and benches. No restroom or other facilities. There are shaded areas but for the most part it’s all out in the sun.
* When the trains go by, you are standing about 30 feet from the rail, which is at about eye level. Standing in the middle of the curve with your back to the track, there is about 300 degrees of train — pretty darn cool!
* We went over the July 4 holiday, which meant two unfortunate things. First, it was blistering hot and there’s no shade. Second, when the trees are fully leafed out, you can’t see that much of the curve, just the train. There is no where you can go to see the curve from higher up.
I gave this three stars because it was generally very cool, but I’m not a train fanatic. I’m not sure I need to go there again to pay $ 6 to watch trains go by.

Well, beautiful place BUT want paying I think it was $ 6 per person to walk up the stairs. even little ones. drove around and took pictures and was still beautiful! I think if the kids prices were cheaper it would be better!

Quite an amazing place to visit if you just happen to be in the area. It is off the beaten path so don’t think, «Oh, I’ll just run into it eventually.» I was in nearby Gallitzan on my most recent visit here and decided since I was in the area I’d stop by and see it once again.
I forgot how scenic it was, last time I was there was nearly 20 years ago. Many improvements have been made with the addition of the small inclined plane to take you to the top. I opted for the stairs, to make me think about my last trip there.
I was lucky, just as I was making it to the top I got to see a train make it’s way around the bend. Of course I took some pictures of it, who wouldn’t. I sat and took in the air for a bit on the benches up top and then decided to make it back down to the bottom. I browsed the items in the gift shop before I left and then headed out.
It was a nice escape to be had from reality even if it were for just a few minutes.

Horseshoe Curve is such an incredible thing! If you find yourself in the Altoona area you certainly shouldn’t miss this extraordinary accomplishment.
Horseshoe Curve is essentially a section of switchback railroad tracks built in the mid-​1800s so that trains can make their way up and over the mountain. I know, unless you’re a «railfan» Horseshoe Curve probably doesn’t seem all that thrilling… but it is! Watching from close range as trains make their way through the mountains simultaneously on the curve’s multiple tracks is a thrilling sight.
Park in the establishment’s large lot and then make your way to the building that houses the gift shop and admissions desk. After you pay $ 6/​person you’re granted access to Horseshoe Curve and the really nice small museum adjacent to the gift shop building. The entire complex is lovely, and the employees are friendly.
To reach Horseshoe Curve head uphill from the gift shop by either taking the incline – my group didn’t during our visit a couple Saturdays ago – or walking up several flights of switchback cement steps. (Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes if you opt to take the stairs; apparently they’re common in the area, and we just missed one that an employee was trying to locate and transport.) Once at the top of the hill you’re greeted with a lovely panoramic view of the tracks on one side and the Altoona Reservoir on the other side in addition to a bird’s eye view of the complex below and the rolling hills. Near the tracks are some displays, an overlook, benches, picnic tables, and the incline building.
Don’t miss this awesome National Historic Landmark.

Attention wives or girlfriends! If you have a husband or boyfriend who is a train nut, and you want him out of your hair for awhile, send him here! Really! Give him $ 20.00, pack him a nice lunch (don’t forget an orange or bannana) and tell him to be a good boy and enjoy his trains! My husband Railfan Rick absolutely loves this place! We have taken our nephew here.
Having said that, Horseshoe Curve is an engineering marvel. It was built so that the railroad could cross the mountains between Johnstown and Altoona. As its name implies, it curves around the valley and on a steep grade. Actually, the history behind it is interesting even if you’re not really into trains. It was built entirely by hand with pick-​axes while the workers dangled from ropes to carve it into the side of the mountain. The Nazis had plans to blow it up during World War II because it was a vital transportation link.
There is a viewing platform and an incline plane for those who don’t want to tackle the stairs on the way up or down. There is also a gift shop at the bottom with many different books, videos, and train sets for sale.
Ladies, if you do accompany the significant other there (and you will), do like I do. Bring a lawn chair, a sun hat, and a book. You could sit there totally naked and the men would still ogle the trains!

If you like trains this is an awesome place to go. This is a curve in the railroad tracks that is almost 2300 feet long, you can see the front of the train if you were riding in the caboose. it is actually a pretty fantastic thing to see no matter what. there is an incline plane there where you can take a trip up the mountain. there is also a visitors center, where they sell postcards and souvenirs such as shirts, postcards, books and train conductors hats.