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[Anonymous]

This is my first time at Altoona since Feb and I've notice that the museum is almost done with a nice turntable on the grounds, does anybody have any information about its purpose?

[ndbprr]

Uh... to turn engines? seriously I don't know but suspect a long range plan may be to find someone favorable to let them run excursions up and down the horseshoe to Cresson where there is a wye leaving a method to turn trains in Altoona is the only possible explanation I can conceive.

[PBenham]

The turntable is phase one of a plan for a structure to hold the K4 1361, and other rolling stock, in a suitable place. Norfolk Southern will never allow 1361 out in their railroad, unless an NS diesel is pulling it along at very restricted speed, at night in total secrecy!

[Lord Atmo]

ah yes, the REAL altoona, not the crappy immitation in Wisconsin. if you refer to Altoona, PA, then i wish i could go there. that's why Altoona, WI has that name in the first place. i believe they named it after Altoona, PA. how many yards are in the PA Altoona?

[PBenham]

Altoona, PA once had five yards. Both eastbound and westbound receiving/departure yards, and a hump yard( some times called a"bowl"). All of that is closed, except for the old Westbound departure yard. NS has jobs working there 24/7, except for major, major holidays. (Xmas, Thanksgiving-if the Steelers are playing, and Super Bowl Sunday, again, if the Steelers are in it) There also was a sixth/seventh yard for coal traffic, but they were so close to the departure yards, I won't count them separately. The decider would be if they had their own yardmasters. And that I do not know.

[Tim Burton]

QUOTE: The turntable is phase one of a plan for a structure to hold the K4 1361, and other rolling stock,

LOL!

Have you actually seen the train recently. They have it in a million parts and they are running around it like keystone cops....

Wasn't it Steamtown's original goal to restore a locomotive every year....It's been 10. Guess what?! It ain't happening.

I have little respect for the keystone rangers that sit on their asses collecting big pay checks from our taxes.

Now, if you ever go to Steamtown, contact me and I'll tell you how to sneak into some of the locomotive cabs. You can't abuse them anymore than the park neglects them....

[PBenham]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tim Burton

QUOTE: The turntable is phase one of a plan for a structure to hold the K4 1361, and other rolling stock,

LOL!

Have you actually seen the train recently. They have it in a million parts and they are running around it like keystone cops....

Wasn't it Steamtown's original goal to restore a locomotive every year....It's been 10. Guess what?! It ain't happening.

I have little respect for the keystone rangers that sit on their asses collecting big pay checks from our taxes.

Now, if you ever go to Steamtown, contact me and I'll tell you how to sneak into some of the locomotive cabs. You can't abuse them anymore than the park neglects them....

It just goes to show you what happens when the Government gets involved in something the private sector can do more efficiently and PROMPTLY!

[Anonymous]

Actually I have a photo taken today of the new turntable at the railroaders museum.  I have it uploaded on http://altoonapa.proboards79.com   I can't tell you for sure exactly what is going to happen with the site but the story I was told is that it is going to be a 1/4 scale of the roundhouse that previously resided in altoona.  Plans were to house the K4 along with other rolling stock that currently sits in the yard and rots.  If you would like to see other pictures of the railroad and other altoona sites check out,  http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=546927205&security=jvfvBb

[TomDiehl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tim Burton

QUOTE: The turntable is phase one of a plan for a structure to hold the K4 1361, and other rolling stock,

LOL!

Have you actually seen the train recently. They have it in a million parts and they are running around it like keystone cops....

Wasn't it Steamtown's original goal to restore a locomotive every year....It's been 10. Guess what?! It ain't happening.

I have little respect for the keystone rangers that sit on their asses collecting big pay checks from our taxes.

Now, if you ever go to Steamtown, contact me and I'll tell you how to sneak into some of the locomotive cabs. You can't abuse them anymore than the park neglects them....

It just goes to show you what happens when the Government gets involved in something the private sector can do more efficiently and PROMPTLY!

Obviously spoken by someone who's never done the work of restoring antique ANYTHING, let alone something as large as a steam locomotive.

SEVERAL errors in your misdirected tirade:

1. The K4 is NOT being restored by Steamtown employees. Steamtown National Historic Site has allowed the use of the facility for the restoration work after the locomotive was booted out of the Altoona shops.

2. The work is being performed by a contractor (1 man) hired by the Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum, which owns the K4. Ocasionally he's assisted by volunteers from the Scranton area. Once in a GREAT while (like every year or two) a group will come in from Altoona for a weekend to assist. I've never seen any of these people "run around like Keystone Cops."

3. Where did you EVER get the idea that Steamtown had a goal of restoring a locomotive every year?

4. The "Keystone Rangers," as well as the volunteers in parks that actually do the work rather than insult those who do, have little respect for the people that talk like this. I'd also love to see you live on their "big paychecks."

5. And yes, we DO keep an eye out for people entering the rolling stock in the yards. If you're caught, you will take a ride to Scranto City Hall.

The reason a restoration takes so long on a locomotive that's almost 90 years old: we tried calling the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona where it was built, but guess what, they don't stock parts for it anymore. Everything has to be fabricated.