Horseshoe Curve Perspectives Milepost 242

 

This photograph was made in  1934 looking east.  The curvature in the immediate foreground is 9.4 degrees and the gradient in foreground and to the right is 1.76 per cent. See:http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007661523/

 

From the vicinity of milepost 242 looking east artist Joseph Pennell expressed the energy of operating trains over the Horsehoe curve and Allegheny frontal in this etching done circa 1920. A freight train is in the foreground westbound to Gallitzin. A passenger train is descending the grade eastbound to Altoona. Smoke plumes from steam locomotives are visible in the distance on the east and west legs of the curve.