Ideas/suggestion for train trip?

[steve-in-kville]

I live within drving distance of both Lancaster and Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Both have Amtrak terminals. I'd like to do a train ride upstate, stay overnight at a B&B or hotel and ride home the next day. I thought Altoona would be neat to see Horseshoe curve, but haven't studied into it yet.

This would be for our anniversary next year. Any ideas? We did the Reading Blue Mountain trip from Reading to Jim Thorpe (highly recommended, BTW) but would like to do a two-day trip next year.

[CShaveRR]

Altoona is a great destination for immersing oneself in railroads, but--sadly--not by train.  I think your train arrives after dark, and the curve itself is beyond Altoona.

Why not just drive there and stay at the Station Inn in Cresson or the Tunnel Inn in Gallitzin (that recently reopened as a B&B)?  And use the money you would have spent on train fare to extend your stay by a night.  Then you'd be able to see the Curve, the Railroders' Museum, and the sights in the area of those B&Bs at your leisure.  

[Enzoamps]

That would save money, but deny you the joy of a nice train ride.  I don't know the Amtrak schedules, but if any of it can be had in daylight, the scenery in Pennsylvaia is delightful.  Train snaking through the mountains along the stream and river routes.

[Electroliner 1935]

Pennsylvanian's schedule is Lv : Lancaster 1:52pm Ar Altoona 5:13 pm

Lv Altoona 10:01 am  Ar Lancaster 1:40 pm

Since Horseshoe curve is west of Altoona you would not see it on a one night out trip.

If you drive, there are a number of things you can see near Altoona in addition to H.S.C. such as theRailroaders Memorial Museum, he Allegheny Postage Railroad. 

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Take the Pennsylvanian to Johnstown - Ar 6:10 PM, so daylight unless running late or after the November time change back to Standard Time. 

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Pennsylvanian-Schedule-P40-030419.pdf 

Stay overnight there in the Holiday Inn Johnstown - Downtown (will shuttle from/ to the recently well-renovated station 1/2 mile or so away - depends on 1-way streets). 

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/johnstown/jstmk/hoteldetail

Then return the next day (Dp 9:03 AM).   

You'll be able to ride over the Horseshoe Curve twice, which will improve your chances of seeing it. When we did it in late October 2 years ago, the view of the Curve from the afternoon WB was blocked by NS freights, it was cloudy, and starting to get dark (running late).  But the next morning EB was clear, bright, sunny, no other trains on the curve, and with the fall foliage on full display was well-lit with the sun from the east - perfect opportunity to enjoy the view and take a few photos. 

If you want to see Altoona and the museum and the Curve from the ground, stop there for a day in one direction or the other.  (There are several hotels in the Convention Center area, about 5 - 6 miles away - maybe closer to the station, but I don't know for certain.)  There might be rental car availability there, or maybe by now there's Uber or Lyft in the area . . . 

- PDN. 

[MrLynn]

Ten years ago my wife and I stayed at the Tunnel Inn in Galitzen (we were driving from Massachusetts to Maryland), and so were able to spend most of the afternoon at the Horseshoe Curve, and also took in the Allegheny Portage Railroad, which is pretty neat, and the Altoona RR Museum.  The Tunnel Inn subsequently closed, but is now open under new management.

If you're near Harrisburg, the Bridgeview B&B looks out on the famous Rockville Bridge, and has tons of NS freights going by right across the road.

/Mr Lynn