Never realized the history behind railroading, and how important the railroad industry shaped Altoona, PA. If you enjoy knowledge, trains and interactive displays, and learning this is the museum to check out. Great staff, reasonable gift shop, be sure to check out the Horseshoe Curve as well. There are even old models in the rail yards, and a current train their working on that moment. Perfect for travelers, locals, and everyone be sure to check it out.
Val C.
We are anxiously awaiting the opening of the Horseshoe Curve but we so enjoyed the hands-on interactive exhibits of the RR museum. The information was he perfect balance of enough to captivate our interest without being overwhelming.
Mary P.
Interesting museum, but very frustrated we wanted to watch the movie, planned our time around it and we're told we couldn't see it. They delayed the showing by 15 minutes for a "private showing". Really?!? Several others were also waiting and we're not allowed to see it.
Salomon W.
For railroad buffs., or parents with kids. I passed through Altoona, and enjoyed the visit.
Garrett S.
this was a very experience I can't wait to go again. My favorite part was when the guy talks at Kelly's bar. That was a very good experience. It was very realistic to I would recommend going to this museum it's great.
Jonathan C.
The Railway Museum was actually much better than the slightly dated exhibits portend. The interactive exhibits using actors in films in period settings, was really engaging to me and interesting, tho they really need to update the media technology and about 20% of the interactive exhibits did not seem to be working. The actors in the films were really good. I liked the exhibit's particular use of personal histories and anecdotes. The collection of actually trains is a little sad, as they clearly haven't the budget to actual restore anything. Most of their collections is wasting away badly (decay is fortunately interesting to me). If you're looking for restored or preserved trains, I would say there are much better collections. As a survey of Altoona's great railway history, however, it was fascinating historical study in American Capitalism. That all said, I really enjoyed it, and i think the entrance fee was worth it. Note that you can also do some great railfanning from the parking lot.
Justin W.
Be ready to be educated. Most of it is about trains there's a section about life in Altoona during the rail era. Also displays on railroad repair, labs showing experiments to improve trains, an area explaining stockholders, not surprisingly trains were big business, a model train display, as well as models of rail yards. Displays include oil cans, shovels, luggage, and silverware from trains.
Larissa G.
This is a pretty cool museum that takes a different approach to telling the story of railroading. There are many, many museums out there that feature and focus on railroad and transit equipment. In this case, it's all in the name: the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum primarily focuses on the people. The exhibits here talk about everything from local pastimes, to work expectations, to the research that local railroads conducted to better serve staff and riders alike. The museum as a whole paints a very comprehensive picture of what it was like to work with a railroad company and/or live in a railroad community. It's an interesting storytelling angle that offers a more personal connection than what I see in the average railroad museum. There's truly more information than I can list or describe packed into this museum, and that information is shared via lots of different mediums, too. There are written placards, videos, sound effects, hands-on activities, a small model railroad, etc. So don't be surprised if at a certain point your brain just decides it has consumed all the facts that it can for one day. I at least experience that at many history museums. In addition to the main museum building, there are some cars and trains on display outdoors, as well as a roundhouse that guests can step into. Fair warning: unlike other museum roundhouses, this one isn't 100% open to the public for display purposes. Instead, as you walk along the outer part of the building's interior, you'll see a few of the trains or cars being worked on, hear the staff/volunteers working on them, and get a brief idea of the work that goes into maintaining railroad equipment. Right now you'll also learn more about the steam engine that the museum is hoping to restore to operating condition. I would visit this museum again, and would do so earlier in the day to ensure I had plenty of time to stroll through the main building and the display yard. I also highly recommend this museum to railfans and their families alike, as I think there's something here for everyone to appreciate!
Never realized the history behind railroading, and how important the railroad industry shaped Altoona, PA. If you enjoy knowledge, trains and interactive displays, and learning this is the museum to check out. Great staff, reasonable gift shop, be sure to check out the Horseshoe Curve as well. There are even old models in the rail yards, and a current train their working on that moment. Perfect for travelers, locals, and everyone be sure to check it out.
We are anxiously awaiting the opening of the Horseshoe Curve but we so enjoyed the hands-on interactive exhibits of the RR museum. The information was he perfect balance of enough to captivate our interest without being overwhelming.
Interesting museum, but very frustrated we wanted to watch the movie, planned our time around it and we're told we couldn't see it. They delayed the showing by 15 minutes for a "private showing". Really?!? Several others were also waiting and we're not allowed to see it.
For railroad buffs., or parents with kids. I passed through Altoona, and enjoyed the visit.
this was a very experience I can't wait to go again. My favorite part was when the guy talks at Kelly's bar. That was a very good experience. It was very realistic to I would recommend going to this museum it's great.
The Railway Museum was actually much better than the slightly dated exhibits portend. The interactive exhibits using actors in films in period settings, was really engaging to me and interesting, tho they really need to update the media technology and about 20% of the interactive exhibits did not seem to be working. The actors in the films were really good. I liked the exhibit's particular use of personal histories and anecdotes. The collection of actually trains is a little sad, as they clearly haven't the budget to actual restore anything. Most of their collections is wasting away badly (decay is fortunately interesting to me). If you're looking for restored or preserved trains, I would say there are much better collections. As a survey of Altoona's great railway history, however, it was fascinating historical study in American Capitalism. That all said, I really enjoyed it, and i think the entrance fee was worth it. Note that you can also do some great railfanning from the parking lot.
Be ready to be educated. Most of it is about trains there's a section about life in Altoona during the rail era. Also displays on railroad repair, labs showing experiments to improve trains, an area explaining stockholders, not surprisingly trains were big business, a model train display, as well as models of rail yards. Displays include oil cans, shovels, luggage, and silverware from trains.
This is a pretty cool museum that takes a different approach to telling the story of railroading. There are many, many museums out there that feature and focus on railroad and transit equipment. In this case, it's all in the name: the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum primarily focuses on the people. The exhibits here talk about everything from local pastimes, to work expectations, to the research that local railroads conducted to better serve staff and riders alike. The museum as a whole paints a very comprehensive picture of what it was like to work with a railroad company and/or live in a railroad community. It's an interesting storytelling angle that offers a more personal connection than what I see in the average railroad museum. There's truly more information than I can list or describe packed into this museum, and that information is shared via lots of different mediums, too. There are written placards, videos, sound effects, hands-on activities, a small model railroad, etc. So don't be surprised if at a certain point your brain just decides it has consumed all the facts that it can for one day. I at least experience that at many history museums. In addition to the main museum building, there are some cars and trains on display outdoors, as well as a roundhouse that guests can step into. Fair warning: unlike other museum roundhouses, this one isn't 100% open to the public for display purposes. Instead, as you walk along the outer part of the building's interior, you'll see a few of the trains or cars being worked on, hear the staff/volunteers working on them, and get a brief idea of the work that goes into maintaining railroad equipment. Right now you'll also learn more about the steam engine that the museum is hoping to restore to operating condition. I would visit this museum again, and would do so earlier in the day to ensure I had plenty of time to stroll through the main building and the display yard. I also highly recommend this museum to railfans and their families alike, as I think there's something here for everyone to appreciate!
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