LOCATIONS & DIRECTIONS

It's easy to visit both the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the World Famous Horseshoe Curve in the same day – they are just six-miles apart.

The World Famous Horseshoe Curve
2400 Veterans Memorial Highway
Altoona, PA  16601
(814) 941-7743

To Horseshoe Curve from Railroaders Memorial Museum:

1. From lot, turn right and travel two-tenths of a mile to 17th St.
2. Turn right onto 17th St., travel one block, & turn left onto Margaret Ave.
   
3. Travel two-tenths of a mile, & Margaret flows into Broad Ave.
   
4. Travel Broad Avenue for 1.6 miles, & turn right onto 40th St.
   
5. Follow "Heritage Route" & Curve signs 3.6 miles to the Curve.
   

The Railroaders Memorial Museum
1200 9th Avenue
Altoona, PA  16602
(814) 946-0834

To Railroaders Memorial Museum from Horseshoe Curve:

1. From lot, turn left onto Burgoon/Kittanning Point Rd & travel 3.6 miles.
2. Turn left onto Beale Ave., & travel six-tenths of a mile to light. Turn left.
3. Continue on Beale for one mile, as Beale flows into Route 36 (Union Ave.).
4. Travel Route 36 three-tenths of a mile to Margaret Ave.
5. Turn right onto Margaret, & travel two-tenths of a mile to 17th St.
6. Turn right onto 17th St., drive one block, & turn left onto Ninth Ave.
7. Travel Ninth Ave. two-tenths of a mile to Railroaders Museum.

HOURS & RATES

The World Famous Horseshoe Curve
Closed for the Season
Reopens 2021

The Railroaders Memorial Museum
Closed for the Season
Reopens 2021

Off-Season Notice: The Visitor Center and Grounds at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve are owned and operated by the Railroaders Memorial Museum. When closed, access to property is restricted and only by permission. All visitors during the off-season are welcome to park alongside the highway using caution and care to view passing trains. We wish we could be open year-round, but due to low visitation and liabilities related to weather, we simply cannot open during the winter. Thank you for supporting our two historic treasures!

CONTACT US

GOVERNANCE - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OPERATIONS - ADMINISTRATION

Chairman - Wick Moorman 
Secretary - Bennett Levin 
Treasurer - Mark Ritchey 
Director - Frank Givler 
​Director - Jason Lamb

Executive Director - Joseph DeFrancesco 
Director of Digital Outreach - Mark Frederick 
Director of Museum Services - Miranda Harkins
Facilities Manager - Steve Jacobs 
Accountant - Jendy Maines

OUR HISTORY

1966 - An ad is placed in the Altoona Mirror searching for parties interested in establishing a Railroad Museum for Altoona.
1967 - The group forms the Altoona Railway Museum Club and adopts the name Altoona Railway Museum Association.
1968 - The National Railway Historical Society grants a charter to the association. Chapter members begin collecting railroad memorabilia and displaying historical objects at civic events, etc.
1972 - The name Railroaders Memorial Museum is officially incorporated.
1975 - Museum acquires the private rail car of Charles M. Schwab - The Loretto. The Altoona Redevelopment Authority sells the former Penn Central Railroad shop complex land to the Center Associates with an agreement providing that Center Associates make a 5-acre plot available for the Museum.
1979 - Ground-breaking ceremonies are held on May 12.
1980 - Museum celebrates grand opening on September 21.
1985 - Museum acquires the PRR K4s #1361 locomotive and moves it from the Horseshoe Curve to Altoona for restoration.
1987-1988 - K4s excursions haul thousands as the “Pride of Altoona” returns to the rails.
1993 - Museum acquires former PRR master mechanics building and an adjoining parcel of land.
1995 - Renovations to the master mechanics building begin.
1997 - Exhibit fabrication and installation work begin.
1998 - Grand opening of the new Railroaders Memorial Museum held on April 25.
​2007- Completion of the installation of former RF&P Turntable at the museum yard. 
2009 - 2014 Construction of the new Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse at the museum complex.