The last meeting had a nice crowd and Bob Derenski gave an excellent lecture on the different methods of track laying which encouraged a lot of discussion.

I grew up in the east, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to be exact. When I visit my family back there I always try to make time to do a little rail fanning. This year when the visit came time, Blanche was able to get some time off from work and travel with me. One of the places she wanted to visit was Altoona and the famous Horseshoe Curve. The reason behind it was to see where I wished to have my ashes thrown after I am gone from this mortal soil.

Altoona is a true railroad town. Altoona, the name derived from the native American word, “Allatoona” meaning high lands of great worth, was chosen in the 1840’s when it was seen that increasing traffic would demand a better means of ascending and decending the Alleghenies than the old Portage Road’s marvelous but inefficient inclined planes. A Pennsylvania official had laid the place out on a tract of land bought by the railroad from an early settler named David Robeson for $11,000.00.

The Railroad established early on that Altoona was going to be a major point in its Rail System with major roundhouse, foundries, locomotive erecting shops, testing facilities, car repair and erecting shops. Keeping the Railroad a major employer into the 1950s.

While Altoona was building, the push westward over the mountains was proceeding from Altoona to the summit at Gallitzin rising 1015 feet in eleven miles never exceeding 1.8 % gradient.

Today Altoona still maintains a big locomotive shop and is home to the Railroaders Memorial Museum dedicated to revealing, interacting, commemorating and celebrating the significant contributions of the railroaders and their families to the city of Altoona and America. The museum is located in town along the old Pennsy main (now the Norfolk Southern), to Pittsburgh. It's housed in the machinist and testing building with interactive displays inside and a small yard outside displaying turntable and equipment used by the Pennsy. Plans are called for a quarter round house section to be built to store K-4 Pacific #1361 which was built in the locomotive shops there.

A few miles west of town will take you along the city’s reservoirs and to Horseshoe Curve. Hailed as a major engineering feat when first completed in 1854. It continues on today 150 years later as a major crossing over the mountains going to and from the west. Though not as many trains travel around the curve as before (only 60 per day now) there is still enough traffic to keep you interested. There is an exhibit hall and incline to take you up to the viewing area at the apex of the curve. Also on display is a Pennsy GP-9 with a lot of miles on that route. The admission to the museum also includes admission to the curve.

The next meeting of Cagrs will be at Gayle and Ron Althardt’s house on August 24th after their open house, which runs from 1 - 5pm, a meal will be furnished. A $5.00 donation is requested to help cover the cost of the food. The address is 15902 Woodbine Circle, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 and the phone # is (847)634-0637. A map and directions are in the Member's Area. The guest speaker will be Herb Koch. His discussion will be about the Boy Scout railroading merit badge.

Remember Steam locomotives have a tender behind.

Look, Listen and Live,

Brian

NOTE 1:
If you would like to open your layout during the coming Open House season, there is a form here to fill out and submit. Thank you!

NOTE 2:
I have begun to post descriptions of, and maps to, the upcoming Open Houses for this season in the Members Area of the web site. I hope to see everyone on Sunday afternoons!