History of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Altoona | Penn State Altoona

This documentary, produced by students in Penn State Altoona’s communications program, aired on WPSU-TV on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
“The History of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Altoona,” produced by students enrolled in COMM 490A, explores the origins of the industry in central Pennsylvania and explains how the railroad in the Altoona area served as a major contributing factor to the nation’s industrial, commercial and cultural development. It also details the early 19th-century origins of railroad construction in Pennsylvania while exploring the complexities of 20th-century transportation challenges. The documentary concludes with an investigation of the importance of today’s railroad industry.
The video was produced in COMM 490A, a senior-level capstone course. Student contributors are Kolby Cowher, Michael Filardi, Samantha Mohney, and Brittany Schroeder, all communications majors at Penn State Altoona.
The documentary was produced by Troy McCarty with historical research supervised by Jewel Weyandt. The project was narrated by Isaac Swanson. In addition, Mark Frederick, a local documentary producer and Penn State Altoona graduate, served as executive producer and mentor on the project.

[@stuartlee6622]

Horseshoe curve originally had 4 tracks, not 3!

[@MrOrlandobob2]

Amazing

[@PaulEdwardsz]

Great documentary. I've lived in Altoona my whole live and nice to get some confirmation of stories I've heard growing up.

[@wojciechgrodnicki6302]

A surprisingly good video.

[@jkkasaab8461]

exceptional prestation , good job, must view ! i live in H shoe curve area & ive read history books on your subject, to many have no idea of history & also the fact that history repeats itself at diff times, somtimes good & alot of bad also,

[@Manyfires_BurningBrightly]

Very nice presentation. My dad was a Penn-Altoona Alum in the Electrical Engineering program. One of his favorite activities prior to his departing this world was to visit the campus and reminisce of his time spent there. I have always been fascinated with history, especially PA history and I had often wondered about the massive rail yard in Altoona. I'd really be interested in a presentation regarding the architecture of the late 18th and early 19th century buildings in Altoona. Old world buildings have such charm and are spectacularly detailed in their craftsmanship. they just don't make them like that anymore!

[@RealMrTrain]

This was a fantastic video that provided very good history about PRR around Altoona. We’ve been to Altoona and traveled around the horseshoe curve on Amtrak. Riding the incline to the top observation area is a must-see when you are visiting!

[@shamusosullivan5650]

Fantastic information, especially for genealogy and migration patterns. Thank you.

[@chowgirl9866]

My family (McCloskey) and related families (Wilt, Yingling, etc.) were from Altoona. Thomas McCloskey, who is buried with his family in Greenlawn Cemetery in Holidaysburg, came here in the 1700s from Ireland. My great grandfather and great great grandfather, along with other family members, worked for the railroad. Wish I had time to go back and research, but I do ancestry of our family online via the Mormon ancestry site. In the 70s, every summer we would go back to Altoona with our grandparents and stay at the same Penn Alto Motel and ate most every meal at Howard Johnson's! I would love to visit that area again -- something keeps telling me I belong there.

[@Terry19330]

I get that feeling, too, for same reasons. I’m obsessed with the horseshoe curve live webcam lately. I think because of the beauty there reminds me of lovely times in the past🧡

[@chowgirl9866]

@@Terry19330 Yes, it's quite amazing!

[@davidkimmel4216]

Wonderful video 😊

[@robertyoung9403]

very well done

[@rodrossi9749]

Kinda sad that we feel the need to include a personal message/beliefs in what's supposed to be educational film.

[@vaughnmeyerjr6502]

Im maybe wrong in my memory but the incline planes up the mountain to galitzin there was about 15 to 17 of them lot of misinformation