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After a great visit to both the East Broad Top Railroad and Rockhill Trolley Museum, Chris Parker and I headed north on US 522 back to Mt. Union then went west on US 22 back to Altoona where we headed straight to the Horseshoe Curve. We parked but this time since the park was opened we had to pay. I used a coupon out of the Empire State Railway Museum's Tourist 2006 Book for a discount. I use these discounts when ever I can and it saves money plus makes the book pay for itself.
A Sunday Afternoon at the Horseshoe Curve 7/16/06
With the funicular running only so often, we took the stairs to the viewing area at the curve. The lighting was much better for this visit.
I found a table under of a tree meeting Karen and Jim Walter who were here visiting the curve.
At 3:15 PM a westbound train with Norfolk Southern {NS} and ex Conrail units.
The Funicular at the Horseshoe Curve.
At 3:41 PM, an eastbound train with ex Conrail and NS units.
At 3:48 PM another westbound with NS and BNSF units.
At 4:08 PM another eastbound with a pair of NS units and helpers being ex Conrail and NS units.
A view of the lakes below the Horseshoe Curve.
Amtrak 44, the eastbound Pennsylvanian rounded the Horseshoe Curve at 4:10 PM about twenty minutes late.
The Display Engine PRR 7048.
At 4:31 PM eastbound with NS Primer and NS units.
At 4:45 PM another eastbound, this time the Triple Crown Roadrailers with ex Conrail and NS units.
At 4:53 PM another eastbound with two NS units.
At 5:30 PM the Helpers returned west around the Horseshoe Curve.
At 6:11 PM yet another eastbound with two NS units pulling auto racks.
Amtrak 43, the westbound Sunday Pennsylvanian rounded the Horseshoe Curve at 6:22 PM about two hours late. After the Amtrak Chris and I packed up before walking down the stairs. We made a right out of the parking lot and passed beneath the railroad through a tunnel. We traveled about two and a half miles to a "T" intersection and made a left heading towards Gallitzin. When we saw the big blue "Library" sign and made a right.
We went down the hill then made a left and parked at the Tunnel Park Caboose & Museum. We stopped for a look and then I noticed across the track was the Tunnel Inn.
The Tunnel Inn
We drove over the bridge across the tracks and pulled into the Tunnel Inn. While Chris stayed in the car I walked in to check in.
I walked in and noticed this board which had all the Tunnel's Inn guests and where they we from listed. I found the innkeeper and she showed me our keys were on the board by our name. I went with her to check in and we received the Baldwin Room.
The door to the Baldwin Suite which was our room for this night.
Two views of our room. This room has twin beds and two windows. One overlooks the tracks and the other overlooks the deck.
The Baldwin Suite Bathroom. I went and got my bags then got Chris to show him the room. He was impressed as I was. Hungry, we walked down the street in front of the hotel to the Iron Horse Cafe for dinner. We returned, put in our breakfast order before I went out on the bridge for some NS rail action.
A westbound comes out of the Galliztan Tunnel.
The view across the tracks at the Tunnel Inn. Our room is on the second floor and the left end.
Another NS westbound comes out of the tunnel.
It was getting near sunset so I couldn't resist as the western sky looked very good. I was sitting up on the deck later chatting with some of the guests when we herd something climbing the grade, If it comes on Tracks 2 or 3 it passes the Tunnel Inn. Track 1 is about six blocks west. An eastbound train came then stopped under the bridge for a few minutes before it headed into the tunnel. I walked over to a store for some ice for my Coca-Cola before returning to the deck for trains after dark and good conversations. After having such a great day at the East Broad Top Railroad, Rockhill Trolley Museum, Horseshoe Curve and here, I was one tired Chris. I showered then called it a night.
7/17/06 I slept in and woke then following a shower opened the door and found our
breakfast outside the door in a picnic basket. Chris and I took it out on the deck to a table
and I set up breakfast. We enjoyed our hot beverage Chris coffee and me tea, plus muffins
and orange juice. After breakfast I took a walk over to the Caboose Park for the picture
above before returning to the Tunnel Inn to pack up. I checked us out then waited for Chris to
come down.
We drove over to the top of the hill for the last picture of the Tunnel Inn. I would stay here again in an instance as it is great Bed and Breakfast with a fantastic railfan location. Chris and I drove away heading to New Philadelphia, Ohio for the NRHS 2006 National Convention with a stop at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, PA. but alas that is yet another story.
