Altoona Bound

train1

Member
I apologize for the mass posting on all my fav forum sites but I am looking for a broad spectrum of advice.

Driving from Canada to Altoona at the end of the month for a weekend – my first visit. Other than the ‘Curve, What other ‘must sees’ are there ? I want to make sure I get the most out of the drive down and back.
 

railohio

Active Member
Blow off Horseshoe and go down to Cumberland, Maryland. Much better photography and varied viewing locations. Horseshoe gets repetitive very fast but there's always something new to see down on Sand Patch and Magnolia.
 

nkp174

Active Member
My dad was curator of the Museum in Altoona of around a half year...20 years ago. The new museum is pretty nice. They have a fantastic private car that has some fire damage in it...one of the many GG-1s, a variety of classic Pennsy pieces. The Curve is definitely worth the visit...I've been their several times. The shops are a must...although I seem to think that something major has changed since I've last been there. Also, Gallitzin (as previously mentioned) is nearby...and set up for rail fanning.

Also, you won't be too far from the (also previously mentioned) East Broad Top. I don't know how familiar you are with the EBT...but...this is the basic jist: (6) 2-8-2s which pull tourist trains, the only 3' authentic Brill car ever built, (1) 0-6-0, a dual gauge yards, 30 miles of mainline, and an authentic shop/yards time capsule with some 150+ year old tools. Oh, and their passenger cars are gorgeous 19th century cars...which look great amongst their 300+ freight cars. It is more authentic than Chama.

So: The curve, the shops, the tunnels, the museum, and the EBT.
 

60103

Pooh Bah
Our route down is usually 219 from Buffalo to I80, across I80 to near Clearfield, then 322 and 350 to I99. (Varies as I99 is reaching farther north.)
We think this is a shorter drive than via Pittsburgh. There are some interesting bits of railway along the highway through New York. Main driving problem is the NE-SW orientation of the valleys, so you cut over a lot of mountain ranges (try it in a 20-year-old RV).
I can't add much to the railway suggestions.
 

shaygetz

Active Member
All great suggestions for you to follow:thumb:

Once in Altoona, could you stop by the Boyer Candy factory and pick me up a box of Mallo Cups?:rofl:
 

nkp174

Active Member
All great suggestions for you to follow:thumb:

Once in Altoona, could you stop by the Boyer Candy factory and pick me up a box of Mallo Cups?:rofl:

Wise man! Also, you should try Hoss's Steakhouse...I have to eat at one every time I'm in western PA.
 

train1

Member
I'm still lookin for a co pilot for the trip.
I'd love to head a little further south and invite myself to Todd Treaster's home for a layout tour - (seeing that I am into N Scale also).
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
I'm still lookin for a co pilot for the trip.
I'd love to head a little further south and invite myself to Todd Treaster's home for a layout tour - (seeing that I am into N Scale also).

Are you going with the guys from the Brantford Club, or is this just a coincidence?
 
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