Pennsylvania is a mighty state bookended by two great cities, Philadelphia to the east, and Pittsburgh to the west. Dividing the state are the formidable Allegheny Mountains, which run north-south across the entirety of Pennsylvania. Linking the state from east to west, and unlocking its vast natural resources, would require conquering the Alleghenies. In 1854, the Pennsylvania Railroad did just that, utilizing a brilliant bit of engineering, resulting in the world famous Horseshoe Curve.
Located near the town of Altoona, Horseshoe Curve might be one of the most significant pieces of American infrastructure you’ve never heard of. Designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, Horseshoe Curve is now owned by Norfolk Southern, and remains a vital piece of America’s transportation infrastructure. In addition to its current economic importance, Horseshoe Curve holds all kinds of historical significance. But I’m not going to talk about history or economics. Why? Because a visit to Horseshoe Curve is awesome all on its own.
If you’re interested in the historical, economic, or engineering significance of Horseshoe Curve, you can find thousands of articles on such topics. There’s really nothing I can say that hasn’t already been articulated, so I’m taking a different approach. Aside from all the serious considerations, Horseshoe Curve is worth a visit just because it’s fun. It also doesn’t hurt that the surrounding landscape is pretty scenic.
Stand on the observation platform, as a 2 mile long freight train wraps its way around the curve, and it’s not hard to see why tourists have been visiting since it opened in 1854. It also helps that this remains an extremely busy stretch of track. It’s generally a pretty good bet that you’ll see a couple trains every hour, so boredom isn’t an issue. In the meantime, relax and admire the beautiful fall foliage. The observation area is built level with the tracks, so it’s elevated above the surrounding area, which produces a really awesome view of the area.
I could easily write a few thousand words on the intricacies of Horseshoe Curve, but for now I will restrain myself. I’m guessing most of the people who visit the curve are interested in the finer details, but there’s also plenty of people who don’t. There were hundreds of people visiting the day I was there, and it seemed to be a pretty diverse group, but they all had one thing in common. They were all having fun.
I don’t expect many people to make the trip out to Altoona, but I suspect those that do will be pleasantly surprised. Horseshoe Curve is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, so it’s actually pretty easy to get to. There’s also plenty of other cool stuff to do in the area. Central Pennsylvania is an underrated part of the United States, and I get the feeling a lot of people don’t know much about the area. I spent close to a week exploring this part of Pennsylvania, so I’ll have some follow up posts. Maybe there will be something else in the area that entices you. But either way, if you’re ever in the area, definitely stop by Horseshoe Curve, it’s a lot of fun.
