Since February 1854, travelers through the Allegheny Mountains have marveled at the 2,375-foot curvature of the Horseshoe Curve. In 1879, the park site was beautified and opened for public use.
Horseshoe Curve is one of the World’s most outstanding engineering accomplishments. Ride the Funicular or walk 194 beautiful landscaped steps to the tracks for a front-seat view of a trainman’s wonder.
Horseshoe Curve has incredible historical significance, beginning long before it officially opened for rail traffic on February 15, 1854. In 1957, a retired K-4 type passenger steam locomotive, #1361, one of 111, was displayed in the park. Pennsylvania Railroad transfers park operations to the City of Altoona.
In 1966, Horseshoe Curve was granted National Historic Landmark status, and on April 25th, 1992, the new Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark opened.
