Altoona in Blair County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pennsylvania Railroad Shops

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2009

1. Pennsylvania Railroad Shops Marker

Inscription. The PRR built its first repair facilities here in 1850 and opened its first track to Altoona during the same year. By 1925, Altoona was home to the nation's largest concentration of railroad shops, with 16,500 people employed in several locations.

Erected 1996 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 40° 30.794′ N, 78° 23.985′ W. Marker is in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in Blair County. Marker is at the intersection of 9th Avenue and 13th Street, on the left when traveling north on 9th Avenue. Marker is at the Railroaders Memorial Museum at the former PRR Shops. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 9th Avenue, Altoona PA 16602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Posy Gang (within shouting distance of this marker); The Master Mechanic (within shouting distance of this marker); PRR Class D78F Dining Car No. 4468 (within shouting distance of this marker); PRR Class X29L Steel Boxcar No. 2136

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(within shouting distance of this marker); PRR Class N5 Cabin Car (or Caboose) No. 477577 (within shouting distance of this marker); Scale Test Weight Car (within shouting distance of this marker); The Altoona Works (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Track Cars (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altoona.

Also see . . . Pennsylvania Railroad Shops - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2009

2. Pennsylvania Railroad Shops Marker

Railroaders Memorial Museum in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,464 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.