The Horseshoe Curve is a historic railroad landmark located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It is a 2,375-foot-long railroad curve that was constructed in the 1850s to help reduce travel time and overcome the challenge of navigating the Allegheny Mountains. The curve is a horseshoe-shaped bend that allows trains to gradually climb the mountain while staying on a relatively level grade.

The Horseshoe Curve is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world to see the impressive feat of engineering and to witness the steady stream of trains that still travel the curve to this day. The viewing area, which can be accessed from a parking lot off of Kittanning Point Road, provides visitors with a panoramic view of the curve and the surrounding mountainside.

The Horseshoe Curve has played a significant role in American transportation history, serving as a crucial link in the transportation network that helped to connect the East Coast to the Midwest. It has also been a popular subject for photographers, artists, and filmmakers over the years, and has been featured in numerous films and TV shows.

National Historic Landmark

Today, the Horseshoe Curve is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway. Visitors can learn more about the history of the curve and the railroad industry at the on-site visitor center, which features exhibits and displays related to the railroad and the Horseshoe Curve.