Information Regarding the Big Boy #4014 in Railroad City (Altoona)

Viewing Opportunities

7/8:  This public viewing will be on the rail between the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Amtrak station. The Museum and its parking lot are closed on this day for a private rental. The parking lot next door to the Museum at UPMC Station Medical Center is also closed on this day. The locomotive will arrive around 5:15PM at this location and will depart around 5:45PM.
Cost: FREE
Address: 1231 11th Ave Altoona, PA 16601

7/9 & 7/10:  The Railroaders Memorial Museum has nothing to do with these events. They are being facilitated by another entity. This viewing has an undisclosed viewing location but shuttling will be available at People Natural Gas Field (Altoona Curve Baseball). The public viewing event hours are 8AM-2PM.
Cost: FREE
Shuttle Address: 1000 Park Ave Altoona, PA 16602

7/11:  This is a private viewing at the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark and is for ticket holders only. This event is sold out.
Shuttle Address: 1200 9th Ave Altoona, PA 16602

Procedures for The Big Boy #4014 event at the Railroaders Memorial Museum & Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark on 7/11/26

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE EVENT.

Absolutely no weapons (guns, knives, etc) will be allowed on the Railroaders Memorial Museum or Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark property. Law enforcement and security will be present at both sites.

We have implemented a CLEAR BAG policy for this event. No backpacks will be allowed on either property. You will be allowed one CLEAR BAG per person boarding the shuttles. VIPs will be allowed one CLEAR BAG per person that arrives at the Horseshoe Curve.

You will be required to be wanded for weapons and your bags will be searched quickly upon entering the facility.

• No Further Sales: We do not plan to offer more tickets, and there is no waitlist.

• Refunds/Transfers: As stated in the event description, tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. This is also a rain or shine event.

• Identification: While having a copy of your ticket is helpful, it is not required. You will have to provide a valid state ID at check-in.

THE OBSERVATION AREA ON THE TOP OF THE HILL WILL BE LIMITED. THE SPACE UP THERE IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

VIP DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU ACCESS TO THE OBSERVATION ARE, IT ONLY ALLOWS YOU PRIORITY ACCESS WITH A VEHICLE AND ALLOWS YOU TO BE THERE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EARLY.

Veterans Memorial Hwy that leads to the Horseshoe Curve will be blocked to ALL TRAFFIC, except for those with VIP tickets/badges.

Parking & Transportation

• VIP Ticket Holders: You are the only guests permitted to park on-site at Horseshoe Curve. Your ticket includes parking and admission for all passengers up to your vehicle's seat capacity. (Note: Minivans and SUVs with 6+ seats require two tickets). VIPs must enter the Horseshoe Curve location from the East (Altoona side). Any traffic that attempts to enter from the West (Glen White/tunnel side), will be turned away. PLEASE HAVE YOUR VALID ID READY TO SHOW AT THE CHECKPOINT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VALID ID OR YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN YOUR VEHICLE THAN YOUR TICKET PERMITS, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

VIPs, YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE HORSESHOE CURVE BETWEEN 5-8AM.

Please do not bring chairs with you to the event.

• General Admission: You must park at the Railroaders Memorial Museum or the Station Medical Center parking lots. Parking is free with your admission. The Railroaders Memorial Museum parking lot will be limited to those individuals that require handicap parking, and must have the proper placard in/on your vehicle. All others must park in the Station Medical parking lot and walk to the Museum entrance.

• Shuttles: Shuttles will run continuously throughout the day. All general admission holders must use the shuttle from the Museum; the road to Horseshoe Curve will be closed to public traffic.

• Logistics: The Museum parking lot will open at 5am. You can start lining up at 5am. Shuttles will begin boarding at 5am (with the intention of the first shuttle departing at 5:15am) and the last shuttle will leave the Railroaders Memorial Museum around 8:45am. You must be through security at the front gate prior to 8:00am, so please arrive early. If you are not through security by 8am, you will not be permitted to go to the Horseshoe Curve.

Shuttle Departures After The Big Boy Exits: The Horseshoe Curve is not open for regular business on 7/11. As soon as the Big Boy exits the Curve, shuttles will begin boarding for people to exit the Horseshoe Curve. This will happen at approximately 10:15am. VIPs will immediately make their way to their vehicles for departure. You will not be permitted to “hang around”.

Twilight at the Curve Event: This event takes place later in the day, but requires separate admission. This event takes place from 5-10pm. You will be required to leave the property until 5pm. The Museum location is also staying open until 10pm on this day to coincide with the Twilight event. Purchase tickets to the Twilight at the Curve event here - https://www.railroadcity.org/admission

Event Day Guidelines

• Standing Room Only: This is a standing-room-only event. No chairs are allowed on the shuttles or to be taken from VIP ticket holders' vehicles. Limited seating is reserved only for those purchasing food from vendors.

• Viewing Areas: Space is first-come, first-served. The observation area has limited capacity; additional standing room is available at the bottom of the hill near the museum and gift shop.

• Prohibited Items: Drones are strictly prohibited. Anyone operating a drone will be asked to leave.

• Equipment: Camera tripods are permitted but must not take up extra space on the shuttles.

• Pets: Only documented service animals (on a leash) are permitted.

• Weather: This is a rain or shine event.

WEAPONS OF ANY TYPE ARE PROHIBITED AT BOTH SITES.

Museum & Amenities

• Museum Hours: The Railroaders Memorial Museum will be closed on 7/8 and open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on 7/9 & 7/10. The Museum will have extended hours to match the Twilight at the Curve event on 7/11 and will be open 9AM-10PM.

• Discount: Event ticket holders receive 10% off museum admission on 7/11/26. A discount code will be shared with you soon.

• Facilities: Porta-potties will be available in the parking lot. We aim to have the funicular and UTV transport vehicle operational for the event.