Freight trains make up the majority of the Curve traffic, although Amtrak trains pass through regularly.

This train was hauling a bunch of shipping containers.

This train continued on its trek around the 9 degrees 25 minutes of curvature on its way toward Altoona.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

This train was quite long !

But eventually, the end did appear.

Looking east from the Horseshoe Curve.

The photo above is another view looking east toward Altoona from the top of the stairs.

There are actually three bodies of water directly east of the Curve.

The first one is the previously mentioned Kittanning Point Reservoir.

Zooming in on the Kittanning Point Reservoir.

The body of water off in the distance in the photo above is Lake Altoona, another source of drinking water for the city.

The Cochran Dam and Reservoir sit just out of view in between the Kittanning Point Reservoir and Lake Altoona, (a portion of the Cochran Dam can be seen near the bottom of the photo above).

I believe the mountain seen off in the distance in the photo below is Brush Mountain.

But the photo above shows the real reason for hiking up those 194 steps.

A train viewing park has been part of the Curve since 1879. It's been expanded and renovated many times over the years into the large gathering space seen today, and has become quite a popular picnic destination. The views in any direction are pretty stellar, especially those of the nearby ridges.

Another attraction of the viewing park is PRR #7048, a retired GP9 diesel locomotive.

The marker in the photo above describes the PRR's changeover from steam to diesel power.

Originally, this spot was occupied by PRR #1361, a K4 steam locomotive built in Altoona in 1918.

After 2.5 million miles, PRR #1361 was retired in 1956 and put on static display at the Curve.

But in 1985, the K4 was removed so restoration efforts could begin and replaced with PRR #7048

PRR #7048 on static display at the Horseshoe Curve.

It wasn't long before another train approached.

Another eastbound train approaches the Horseshoe Curve.

I saw four locomotives in the front of this eastbound train which lead me to believe that this one was much longer than the others.

I managed to snap a few good shots of the train as it passed through.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

I actually managed to get a few good zoom shots as the train passed by.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

There were four engines in front of this train.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

A majority of the cars were tankers.

And there were a lot of them ! They just kept coming and coming.

It took a good 5 minutes for this train to pass through.

The end of the eastbound train.

In addition to the 4 engines in front, there were two more "helper" engines in back.

"Helpers" are used on especially long trains where additional power is needed for the incline and additional braking for the descent.

Eastbound train rounding the Horseshoe Curve.

Several informational displays sit at the center of the Curve. One display provided some general information about the area and gives a detailed illustration of the Curve and its role in overcoming the Allegheny Mountains.

Another described some of the railroad cars that are typically seen.

One of the "facts" presented on the marker in the previous photo tells the story of when the additional tracks were installed.

The combination of building a viewing park (1879), and adding more track (1898 and 1900), meant part of the rock face of Kittanning Point had to be removed to make room.

Another display tells the story of the various buildings that have sat at the Curve.

Several buildings have served various purposes over the years. The Kittanning Point Passenger Station used to sit just east of here until it was removed around 1940. The small building that remains at the Curve seen in the photo above was built around 1900 as a Watchman's shanty and tool house and replaced an earlier structure from 1892.

I then heard the rumble of another train approaching, this time a westbound train.