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April 9, 2000 NEWS RELEASE
PHOTO ESSAY ON THE ALTOONA & LOGAN VALLEY ELECTRIC RAILWAY
The Horseshoe Curve Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, is currently featuring a photographic essay on the Altoona and Logan Valley Electric Railway, once a principle method of public transportation in the Altoona - Hollidaysburg area. The historical photographs of this transportation system in the greater Altoona area can be viewed on the Chapter's website at: www.trainweb.org/horseshoecurve-nrhs.
The Altoona and Logan Valley Electric Railway ceased operations in Altoona with the farewell excursions held on August 7, 1954, which afforded area residents their last opportunity to ride the route system, prior to a full transformation to an all-bus operation. Actual revenue operations on the system however, had concluded on July 2nd of that year.
Sadly, these events occurred in the era prior to an awareness of historic preservation and little remains of the system equipment. While the "car barn" survives today in modified form as the AMTRAN bus garage, none of the trolley cars were saved with the remaining equipment burned on January 1, 1955. There is one set of "drive wheels" on display at Baker Mansion and the Horseshoe Curve Chapter, National Railway Historical Society completed the restoration of A&LVERy Service Truck No. 18, a 1946 Walter Snow Fighter, in time for the celebration of Altoona's sesquicentennial parade in May, 1999. This vehicle will be displayed at various prominent civic functions on a regular basis.
Previously, the Horseshoe Curve Chapter completed a video history of the Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway, which is still available through the gift shop at Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum.
The continually expanding photographic essay on the Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway, contains many photographs of former motormen and conductors who remain unidentified. Information regarding the identity of any former employees who appear in the photographs would be much appreciated. In addition, families or persons having any snapshot photographs of the Altoona & Logan Valley, especially with identified family members, are encouraged to contact the Horseshoe Curve Chapter. We will be happy to add a copy of the photograph to this historical record, with appropriate credit, and the original photograph will be returned to the family.
Persons willing to loan photographs' or memorabilia suitable for photographing, may contact: David Seidel, Chapter Historian, at (814) 943-5321, or Leonard Alwine at (814) 943-4397. All material will be carefully handled and returned.
For a further history of the A/LVERy, visit the Altoona Metro Transit (AMTRAN) Authority website.
For a personal / historical perspective, visit "Altoona Street Cars" by Phil Margush
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