Railroad Horseshoe Curve

Map of the Railroad Horseshoe Curve National Historical Landmark that Ian created from memory.

 

Horseshoe Adventure

by Ian

Eric, Papa, and I took a trip to Horseshoe Curve. There was a big rain storm while we were driving to Altoona, Pennsylvania so we went inside a store. When it stopped raining, we went to Horseshoe Curve. 

First we paid at the visitor center. Then we looked at the funicular. In the middle of the track there is a switch where both tracks turn a bit, and then there's another switch. When the funiculars meet in the middle, one goes on one side and one goes on the other. We decided to go up the stairs. The person in the visitor center said there are 92 stairs. 

We were right on time for a train. The train was a diesel train pulling mail cars and pipes. Two hours later, we saw a second train with three engines in front pulling pipe cars and flat beds with tractor trailers on them. The train had two back engines. The back engines returned when they were done pushing the train up the hill. 

We climbed down the stairs and went to the other visitor center which had wooden toy trains to play with. Then we went home because it was almost dinner time. It was an exciting adventure!

Books:  Trains by Oxlade;  A Train Goes Clickety-Clack by London;  Trains on the Move by Clark;  Legendary Journeys Trains by Steele

Music:  Train Singer by Schindel;  New Tracks Train Singer by Schindel;  Cars, Trucks and Trains by Murphy