3/7/2026
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Viewing Album: PRR: Old-Time PRR in Altoona, PA ~ 17th Street (R)
By:
Thomas C. Ayers
Dates:
1/2/1860 - 1/2/1860
Album Info:
Here are several photos illustrating the evolution of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, from around 1870 through 2009. Also included is a blueprint diagram of the area around PRR Roundhouse #3. * Repaired Album *
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Title:
PRR Westbound at 17th Street, c. 1875
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's trackage and switch tower facing West at the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Photo by R.A. Bonine, c. 1875. Shown here is the predecessor to ALTO Tower at the far right, the entrance to Gamble's coal, wood, and lumber yard in the center, and the branch line to Hollidaysburg at the left. Also note the stub switches and the railroad workers up the line waiting for orders as to which way to throw their respective switches. The mainline tracks surmount the Allegheny Mountains on their way to Gallitzin, Pittsburgh, and points West. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1900
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 8:50:18 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Track
Locomotives:
Views:
1124
Comments:
2
Title:
PRR Eastbound at 17th Street, c. 1880
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks facing East at the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken about 1880. Shown here is #3 Roundhouse at the far right, #2 Roundhouse (domed) in the center, and the Passenger Station's train shed at the left. Also of note are the many locomotives at the right, the three-way stub switch at the lower right, and the three Railroaders down the line waiting for orders as to which way to throw their respective switches. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1900
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 8:51:29 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
1172
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1903
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken during 1903. Shown here are several steam locomotives heading for service in the Western Roundhouse (at the right, not shown), as well as numerous locomotives poised for East Slope helper or pusher service at the left. Also of note are the PRR's Altoona Machine Shop buildings and the twin smokestacks of the Power Plant; these supplanted Roundhouse #2. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1903
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:13:03 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
920
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1911
Description:
17th Street. Here is a postal card entitled "12th Street Shops, from 17th Street Bridge, Altoona, Pa." Postmarked: 27 April 1911. At the right are numerous Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives poised for East Slope helper or pusher service. Beyond them are the PRR's Altoona Machine Shop buildings and the twin smokestacks of the Power Plant. At the left are several buildings along Altoona's 10th Avenue; not shown are the Passenger Station, the Logan House, and the 12th Street Footbridge. Note the double slip switch in the right foreground.
Photo Date:
4/27/1911
Upload Date:
1/5/2022 6:26:56 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
474
Comments:
0
Title:
"P.R.R. Yards And Shops," c. 1910
Description:
17th Street. Here is a postal card entitled "P.R.R. Yards And Shops At 17th Street, Altoona, Pa." No Postmark. At the right are numerous Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives poised for East Slope helper or pusher service. Beyond them are the PRR's Altoona Machine Shop buildings and the twin smokestacks of the Power Plant. In the foreground are two freight trains: the near one consists of westbound empties, the other is an eastbound mineral train.
Photo Date:
1/7/1910
Upload Date:
12/13/2025 9:40:50 PM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam
Locomotives:
Views:
122
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1912
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken on 17 March 1912. Prominent here is an unidentified "H" Class (2-8-0) "Consolidated" steam locomotive heading for service in the Western Roundhouse at the far right. Visible in the smoky distance are several structures belonging to the PRR's Altoona Machine Shop. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
3/17/1912
Upload Date:
7/6/2021 8:14:28 PM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam
Locomotives:
Views:
467
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, c. 1920
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken during the 1920's. Shown here are several steam locomotives heading for service in the roundhouse at the right, as well as numerous locomotives poised for westbound helper and pusher dutiesatn the left. Also of note are the PRR's Locomotive Test Plant at the lower right, the 12th Street Car Shop buildings in the center, as well as the many commercial buildings facing 10th Avenue on the left. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1920
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:13:51 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
897
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Western Roundhouse, c. 1920
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's facilities near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken during the 1920's. Pictured in the foreground is the Locomotive Test Plant. Beyond it are Roundhouse #3 and numerous structures for the Altoona Machine Shops.
Photo Date:
8/15/1920
Upload Date:
8/11/2020 7:56:16 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam
Locomotives:
Views:
634
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Train Wreck, 1925
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of an official photo that was taken in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 29 November 1925. Shown here is the wreckage of a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train lodged under the 17th Street Bridge. The train lost its brakes while descending the East Slope of the Allegheny Mountains, jumped the tracks around 14th Street, and momentum did the rest. Two PRR men died in the process. The Bridge was pushed from its moorings and was soon replaced. Here, an unidentified steam-powered derrick assists in the cleanup effort. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
11/29/1925
Upload Date:
8/6/2022 11:15:17 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
RollingStock,Bridge,Wreck
Locomotives:
Views:
764
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Train Wreck, 1925
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by an unidentified photographer that was taken in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 29 November 1925. Shown here is the wreckage of a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train lodged under the 17th Street Bridge. The train lost its brakes while descending the East Slope of the Allegheny Mountains, jumped the tracks around 14th Street, and momentum did the rest. Two PRR men died in the process. The Bridge was pushed from its moorings and was soon replaced. Here, curious Altoona residents survey the damage. Visible in the hazy distance is the PRR's Test Plant Building. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
11/29/1925
Upload Date:
8/6/2022 11:16:04 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Wreck
Locomotives:
Views:
871
Comments:
0
Title:
17th Street Bridge, c. 1930
Description:
17th Street. Here is a photo of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, c. 1930. Shown here is the trolley-capable 17th Street Bridge. This span replaced the one demolished during a runaway train wreck on Wednesday, 29 November 1925. Here's one account: "Freight train 1262 is heading down the mountain when the air brakes failed. The brakemen tightened the brakes by hand, but the train still crashed; engineer and fireman were killed." Also visible are the PRR's Test Plant Building at the far right and various steam locomotives situated on the ready tracks awaiting their next runs up "The Mountain." JK (later renamed ALTO) Tower is to the photographer's rear. Photo credit: John R. Conlon & Jenny Lynn (his daughter).
Photo Date:
8/15/1930
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:14:38 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
878
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, c. 1938
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by J.J. Young of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken during the early 1940's. Gone are the roundhouse and all of the steam locomotives marshalled for westbound service. They've been replaced by acres and acres of materiel used in the production of freight cars and cabin cars at the PRR's 12th Street Car Shops in the background. Also of note is an unidentified "I" Class (2-10-0) "Decapod" steam locomotive heading a westbound freight train and the Altoona Passenger Station's trainshed a bit further East. So, too, the many commercial buildings that once populated 10th Avenue have been demolished and replaced by parking lots. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
8/9/1938
Upload Date:
8/9/1938 12:00:00 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
753
Comments:
1
Title:
PRR Eastbound Passenger, 1952
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by John Dziobko, Jr., that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 25 July 1952. This was the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks at 17th Street, now long gone. Passing under the Bridge is a PRR passenger train pulled by an A-B set of unidentified EP-20's built by GM-EMD and rated at 2,000 horsepower each. (Perhaps it's E-7A #5840.) The train will stop at the Altoona Passenger Station for crew changes, as well as to discharge and receive passengers, before resuming its journey to Harrisburg and points East. Parked near the trainshed is a K-4S (4-6-2) "Pacific" steam locomotive, waiting for its next helper run up the Allegheny Mountains via the Horseshoe Curve to Gallitzin and back. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
7/25/1952
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:44:19 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Signal,Passenger,Track
Locomotives:
PRR 5840(E7A)
Views:
1376
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1952
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by John Dziobko, Jr., that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 25 July 1952. This was the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks at 17th Street. Gone are the roundhouse and all of the steam locomotives waiting for westbound assignments. They've been replaced by acres and acres of materiel used in the production of freight cars and cabin cars at the PRR's 12th Street Car Shops at the right. Partially visible at the left are the Passenger Station's trainshed and the 12th Street Footbridge. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
7/25/1952
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:28:09 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Yard,Station,Passenger,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
730
Comments:
1
Title:
PRR Hollidaysburg Branch at 17th Street, 1952
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by John Dziobko, Jr., that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 25 July 1952. Visible in the foreground are two tracks: the one at the left leads to a coal yard trestle, the one at the right is the lead to the Hollidaysburg Branch. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
7/25/1952
Upload Date:
7/13/2022 12:03:09 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Track
Locomotives:
Views:
466
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1953
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by John Dziobko, Jr., that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 11 June 1953. This was the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks at 17th Street. Gone are the roundhouse and all of the steam locomotives waiting for westbound assignments. They've been replaced by acres and acres of materiel used in the production of freight cars and cabin cars at the PRR's 12th Street Car Shops at the left. Also visible at the right are the PRR's X-Ray Laboratory building and the black oil storage tank adjacent to the Test Plant building. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
6/11/1953
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:28:51 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
725
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Westbound at 17th Street, 1955
Description:
17th Street. Here is an image of a photo by John Dziobko, Jr., that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 18 July 1955. Prominent here is a Pennsylvania Railroad mixed-cargo freight train passing ALTO Tower on its way to the Eastbound Receiving Yard. Visible in the foreground are two tracks: the one at the left leads to a coal yard trestle, the one at the right is the lead to the Hollidaysburg Branch line. Note the staircase attached to the signal bridge so that the Tower Operators can cross over the tracks safely. William E. Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
7/18/1955
Upload Date:
7/13/2022 12:02:54 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Signal,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
499
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, c. 1960
Description:
17th Street. Here is a photo by an unidentified photographer that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, c. 1960. This was the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks at 17th Street, now long gone. Visible in the foreground is the 14th Street interlocking. In the middle-distance (L to R) are the Passenger Station (sans trainshed), the wrought-iron 12th Street Footbridge, and some of the PRR's 12th Street Car Shop buildings. William E Burket Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1960
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:27:11 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
612
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1965
Description:
17th Street. Here is an original photo that I took at the old Pennsylvania Railroad engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in June of 1965. Shown here is all that's left of what once was one of the busiest places in all of PRR -Altoona. No more roundhouses (once there were three of them here), no more steam locomotives waiting to move trains up the Allegheny Mountains, and no more 12th Street Car Shops ~ most of their functions having been transplanted to the PRR's Samuel Rea Shop in Hollidaysburg. Nothing left here but ghosts and echoes . . . which have since been supplanted by a shopping mall and the Railroaders Memorial Museum.
Photo Date:
6/21/1965
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 10:15:05 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
599
Comments:
2
Title:
PRR Engine Ladder, 1978
Description:
17th Street. Here is an original photo by an unidentified photographer that was taken at the old Pennsylvania Railroad engine ladder near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in July of 1978. Any hints of the concentrated steam locomotive action that once occurred here are long gone. Now, diesel-electric locomotives rule the rails. Shown here (L to R) is Conrail engine #6663 and four more units whose road numbers are not recorded. Just like in the age of steam, they're lugging an iron-ore train up the Allegheny Mountains to Gallitzin and the steel mills of Western Pennsylvania. Photo taken from the 17th Street Bridge.
Photo Date:
7/25/1978
Upload Date:
12/4/2021 5:28:19 PM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Signal,Track
Locomotives:
CR 6663(SD45-2)
Views:
793
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 5711, EP-22, #1 of 2, 2009
Description:
17th Street. Here is the first of two successive original photos by Olev Taremae that were taken at the old Pennsylvania Railroad engine ladder near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 27 June 2009. Any hints of the concentrated steam locomotive action that once occurred here are long gone. Now, diesel-electric locomotives rule the rails. Shown here (L to R) are ex-Pennsylvania Railroad engines #5711 and #5809. Both are EP-22's built by GM-EMD and rated at 2,250 horsepower each. #5711 was constructed in October of 1952, while #5809 was built in January of 1951. In this context, they're about to depart the Altoona Passenger Station for Pittsburgh after pulling a railfan excursion up the Allegheny Mountains and around the Horseshoe Curve to Gallitzin and then back down "The Mountain" to Altoona. Photo taken from the 17th Street Bridge.
Photo Date:
6/27/2009
Upload Date:
7/26/2023 10:58:20 PM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Station,Signal,Passenger
Locomotives:
PRR 5711(E8A)
PRR 5809(E8A)
Views:
497
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 5711, EP-22, #2 of 2, 2009
Description:
17th Street. Here is the second of two successive original photos by Olev Taremae that were taken at the old Pennsylvania Railroad engine ladder near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 27 June 2009. Any hints of the concentrated steam locomotive action that once occurred here are long gone. Now, diesel-electric locomotives rule the rails. Shown here (L to R) are ex-Pennsylvania Railroad engines #5711 and #5809. Both are EP-22's built by GM-EMD and rated at 2,250 horsepower each. #5711 was constructed in October of 1952, while #5809 was built in January of 1951. In this context, they're about to depart the Altoona Passenger Station for Pittsburgh after pulling a railfan excursion up the Allegheny Mountains and around the Horseshoe Curve to Gallitzin and then back down "The Mountain" to Altoona. The three-story structure pictured at the far right houses the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Photo taken from the 17th Street Bridge.
Photo Date:
6/27/2009
Upload Date:
6/5/2025 1:57:48 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Station,Signal,Passenger
Locomotives:
PRR 5711(E8A)
PRR 5809(E8A)
Views:
458
Comments:
0
Title:
CR 6655, SD45-2, 1987
Description:
17th Street. Here is an original 35mm color slide by an unidentified photographer that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 27 July 1987. Prominent here (R to L) are Conrail engines #6655, #6662, #6512, and another unit whose road number is not recorded. In this context, they're passing ALTO Tower with a freight train on its way through Altoona to Enola and points East. Wave to the Engineman! ("PrrFan18n")
Photo Date:
7/27/1987
Upload Date:
2/14/2026 1:10:47 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Signal
Locomotives:
CR 6655(SD45-2)
CR 6662(SD45-2)
CR 6512(SD40-2)
Views:
51
Comments:
0
Title:
Amtrak's Eastbound "Broadway Limited," 1990
Description:
17th Street. Here is an original 35mm color slide by H.E. Brouse that was taken in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 7 January 1990. Shown here passing under the 17th Bridge is Amtrak's Train #40, the eastbound "Broadway Limited." At the left are two Conrail locomotives, poised for their next westbound passenger-helper run.
Photo Date:
1/7/1990
Upload Date:
12/13/2025 9:41:31 PM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Signal,Passenger
Locomotives:
AMTK 323(F40PHR)
CR 6666(SD45-2)
Views:
185
Comments:
0
Title:
Amtrak's Eastbound "Broadway Limited," c. 1996
Description:
17th Street. Here is a duplicate 35mm color slide by an unidentified photographer that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, c. 1996. Shown here passing ALTO Tower is Amtrak's Train #40, the eastbound "Broadway Limited." In the lead is AMTK #259, an F40PHR diesel-electric locomotive built by GM-EMD in December of 1977 and rated at 3,000 horsepower. Note that some of the original windows in the Tower have been replaced. ("PrrFan18n")
Photo Date:
8/15/1996
Upload Date:
3/2/2026 6:42:58 PM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Signal,Passenger
Locomotives:
AMTK 259(F40PHR)
Views:
23
Comments:
0
Title:
NS ALTO Tower, 2008
Description:
17th Street. Here is an original 35mm color slide by Bruce Vogel that was taken from the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in April of 2008. Prominent here is the Norfolk-Southern version of ALTO Tower. Note that what looks like a new signal bridge is actually a skeleton built around the original Pennsylvania Railroad structure. The signal bridge proper and the PRR-style position light signals have since been replaced. Visible in the distance is the 24th Street Bridge.
Photo Date:
4/16/2008
Upload Date:
6/4/2025 9:25:18 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Signal,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
290
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Roundhouse #3 Blueprint
Description:
17th Street. Here is a blueprint diagram of the Pennsylvania Railroad's engine ladder and ready tracks near the 17th Street Bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania. (This item is undated.) Of special note here are the details for Roundhouse #3. By means of the turntable, 38 steam locomotives could be serviced simultaneously. That was the kind of through-put that was necessary in the early days when relatively-smaller locomotives were used zo pull and push both passenger and freight trains up and over the Allegheny Mountains. With the development of relatively-larger locomotives during the 1920's, it was no longer necessary to keep a multitude of engines this far West. Bigger facilities were constructed in East Altoona and, consequently, both the men and the locomotives moved there.
Photo Date:
8/15/1903
Upload Date:
12/7/2016 9:44:55 AM
Location:
Altoona, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Yard,Steam,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
1004
Comments:
1
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