Eastern Railroad Discussion > Big Boy / NS display in Altoona - where is the entrance?

The walk-in entrance location listed via UP on the Railroader's Memorial Museum website is incorrect. It's listed as "Walk-in Entrance: Rose Yard ; 8th Ave and 5th St. Altoona, PA." That is the front door of Park Security Systems. So unless we're entering through the building that's a no.

It may only be off by a block one way or the other, but I was hoping someone local or someone connected to the event could chime in as to exactly where the walk-in entrance actually is.

Second, I've been to Altoona more times than I can count but never during an event like this, so I never needed to be concerned about parking. Now that I'm looking around on GMaps it seems there isn't any public parking in Altoona other than on the street with a 2hr limit. Does anyone know of a public lot or garage?

Thanks in advance

They were planning shuttle busses from the ballpark to Rose Yard.

Posted from Android

To get the below information with live links go to Union Pacific's website, Click on "Big Boy, No.4014's Schedule".
As you may suspect, your options are limited, very limited. Thursday, July 9 - Friday, July 10Altoona, PA
Access free shuttles from Peoples Natural Gas Field or the west end of Logan Valley Mall (by former Macy's).
Shuttle access may close early due to wait times (metering enforced)
ADA parking and shuttles available at Peoples Natural Gas Field
NO PARKING AVAILABLE at display site; Walk-in access via 8th Ave & 5th St;.On Display: 8:00 am - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Free Admission; No Tickets Required
Big Boy Display FAQs
NO PUBLIC ACCESS outside of these hours

Altoona Parking Map
More info: https://railroadcity.org/bigboySaturday, July 11Altoona, PA
NO PUBLIC ACCESSDepart: 9:00 a.m. EDTHorseshoe Curve National Historic Site
=1pcTicketed Viewing ONLY - SOLD OUT
Tickets were available thru https://railroadcity.org.Arrive: 9:30 a.m. EDT
Depart: 10:00 a.m. EDT
There is all the information you need to view the Big Boy 4014 in Altoona.
Good Luck!
 I got to see 4014 live 200 yards from my front door and that with all the non-railfan Social Media, need to get selfie with the world's largest steam locomotive, hysteria was a real challenge, even in the local territory never ever before infested with such tripe! The only intruder in that location in 30 years was a hostile groundhog when I got between it and its "hole".
They make menancing hiss, grrr sorta of noises. 
Gonut

Yes, I saw all of that, which is why I quoted the part about the walk-in entrance and noted the fact that it's incorrect on the site.

My question is whether anyone knows where it actually is.

And the parking map isn't for public parking downtown, it's for the shuttle locations.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/26 19:05 by PLERR.

I was going to atloona to see the big boy, but stay home. Going to see the big boy near Blairsville,pa Gray Station road with other people to see the train there. Its going to be too crazy in atloona with all the people, high hotels rooms Rate, limited hours to see the big boy from 8:00 A..M to 2:00 P.M. its too short for me. It should open alot longer then that. It should  stay open until least 4 or 5 P:M. plus  you can't tour the big boy or tour train cars.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/26 20:05 by railcity.

PLERR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, I saw all of that, which is why I quoted the
> part about the walk-in entrance and noted the fact
> that it's incorrect on the site.
>
> My question is whether anyone knows where it
> actually is.

The entrance is right across from where CP WORKS is. Go across the 7th street bridge and look down (carefully of course).

>
> And the parking map isn't for public parking
> downtown, it's for the shuttle locations.

You HAVE to ride the shuttles unless your an NS employee.

Posted from Android

But the website makes it clear that there is a walk-in entrance. Did you verify that today?

Yes, I was there. There are barricades, street closures, cops/security everywhere, etc.

Signs tell you where to go.

Also of note, there is a gravel path along the ROW, but it is also taped off.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/26 13:21 by ns1000.

Thank you. It really is shameful how much bad / incomplete information there has through all of this - from all sides. No excuse.

Just heard back from a friend who went today. The entrance is on 4th, which confirms that the provided location was incorrect.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/26 13:57 by PLERR.

I went today and was very surprised and impressed with the logistics. The shuttles were awesome and they spaced things out so even with a crowd people were not elbow to elbow. Lots of water., EMS and porta potties. UP and NS did very well with this along with the city

Posted from iPhone

So you didn't even go? What was the point of all this? To prove you were right and they were wrong? Everyone who went said it was well done.



PLERR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you. It really is shameful how much bad /
> incomplete information there has through all of
> this - from all sides. No excuse.
>
> Just heard back from a friend who went today. The
> entrance is on 4th, which confirms that the
> provided location was incorrect.

Posted from Android

Yes, I did go. The point was to clarify the obvious omissions and inaccuracies in the event announcement prior to the day so folks could plan with confidence. It was for the benefit of all.

And no, everyone did not say it was well done. I've spoken with many folks who echoed the problems I pointed out.

And I reject the extremist response. Just because someone points out issues doesn't mean it was all bad, nor does it mean it was all good because you personally didn't hear anything to disagree with your observations. Nor is it about ego or superiority, as you imply.

I've been involved in large event planning. It's a lot of work and there are a lot of moving parts. But there were simply too many dropped balls between Steamtown, RBMN, and Altoona to ignore. It's in my nature to seek out and identify problems like these with an eye on improving current experience and future performance. Again, for the benefit of all.

I chased 4014 from The OH/PA line and back to Conneaut and had a lot of great moments. It would have gone much better with more accurate information and better communication, but it was still an amazing experience.