Below are some of the popular railfan spots around Horseshoe Curve. Most are given with No Trespass directions, and are accessed via PA State Game lands #187. Please do not trespass onto NS property, as a Police Officer, I can not stress this enough. The highest fine is $10,000.

MP 239.7 GPS Coordinates Lat: 40.4937223 Long: -78.447535

Directions

From Downtown Altoona take 17th Street to Broad Ave. (Note: One Way Street) Follow Broad Ave until it merges back into a two way street,(Note: Merges into N Logan Blvd.) Broad Ave will fork to the left, continue on Broad Ave. until you come to a stop sign. Take a right at the stop sign on to 40th Street. Follow 40th Street for about .5 Miles. You will be looking for a sign on the left hand side of the road that is for the "Altoona Volunteer Sportsman Club." When you see that sign, there is a dirt road immediately to your right. Take this dirt road, under the tracks through a tunnel. As you come out on the other side there will be some spots to park. There is a Jeep trail here that follows the tracks from Altoona all the way up to the curve, and this will be your No Trespassing access to all of the good spots on this list. The Jeep Trail to your left will lead you up a steep grade to a rock outcrop. From this outcrop you will be at MP 239.7. The photo above is from this location.

MP 241 GPS Coordinates Lat: 40.4945566 Long: -78.454284

Directions

Following the same directions for MP 239.7, continue to follow the tracks west via the Jeep Trail. The trail will head down a steep slope and move away from the tracks for a bit, but will rejoin them 1/4 mile later. There is a cinder embankment at MP 241 that allows for some great morning and afternoon shots.

Directions

The North Ledges can be accessed from two different ways, both about the same distance. The first would be to continue to follow the Jeep Trail from MP 239.7 westward to the MP 241.9 signal bridge. Or you could follow 40th Street all the way up to the Gallitzin town line, and access the Jeep trail from where it intersects with the roadway there. Both ways are about 1.5 miles in length, but a relatively easy hike. If you have an off road vehicle, the Jeep Trail is drivable (Note: The trail is heavily used by other SUVs and ATVs.).

Directions

From the Visitor Center take a right from the exit, towards Gallitzin. Pass under the tracks via the tunnel, and continue until you come to a sign on your right that says "Glen White Run." At that sign will be small pull off where you can park. Just above you on your right is the old railroad bed from the timber company, you will want to get up to this bed. Walk up the hill to the railroad bed and take a right, towards Horseshoe Curve. The trail is well used by ATV's and is an easy walk. After about a 1/4 mile, you will come up to a yellow gate. Up the steep hill to your left will bring you to the top of Kittanning Point. The point overlooks the curve and the valley, producing some nice shots. Photos from the top are best during the months where there are very little leaves on the trees. If you continue past the yellow gate a little ways, you will come to a small clearing at the base of Kittannning Point, and the location where the above photo was taken. From here shots of Westbounds in the afternoon are the best.