The Horseshoe Curve

 Blair County Pennsylvania's 8th wonder of the modern world, is the famous Horseshoe Curve.  Around 1850 the Pennsylvania Railroad needed to find a way to connect the eastern railroad to the western railroad with the Allegheny Mountains blocking the way.  The Pennsylvania Railroad first talked about going through the mountains by way of a tunnel, when railroad engineer, J. Edgar Thompson, came up with the design for this wonderful landmark.  The Horseshoe Curve was built by an estimated 400 Irish immigrants using only picks, shovels, drags, horses and such. 

The Horseshoe Curve was completed in about 3 years, opening for railroad traffic on February 15, 1854.  For years the only way to see the top of the Horseshoe Curve was by train ride or the 194 steps built into the side of the mountain.  You can reach the top today by using either the steps or the new incline plane.  Once you reach the top you will find it very hard to believe how this magnificent feat was ever completed.  When you visit the Horseshoe Curve pack a picnic lunch, settle at one of the many picnic tables, and wait for the trains to curve around you!

View more photos of Horsehoe Curve