On July 23, 2024, my father David G. Behe, member of the National Railroad Historical Society's Horseshoe Curve Chapter, passed away. He was a great Father.
David G. Behe graduated from Altoona Catholic High in 1954. He entered the United States Navy and proudly served his country aboard the U.S.S. Edisto where he traveled throughout the Arctic Circle. Upon his return home, he began working for Stockdale Mine Supply of Punxsutawney. David is mostly known for his 30-year career where he retired as a regional sales representative for U.S. Tobacco, Inc. Post retirement, David worked as a delivery driver for NAPA Auto Parts, a driver for Blair Senior Services, and lastly as a staffer for Senator Robert Jubelirer. David also proudly served his community for 18 years as a volunteer and chairman for the Altoona Fire Civil Service Commission.
December 31, 2010; Railfanning at the 8th Street Juniata (Altoona, PA) bridge. Pictured L-R: David G. Behe; David W. Seidel; Mark Wurst; Matt Fultz. Sadly, David Behe, David Seidel, and Matt Fultz have all passed away.
David Seidel of Altoona shows a small sampling of the hundreds of local postcards he has collected.
"The Altoona native and local history author is celebrating the recent release of "Altoona" a photo essay book that captures the town's life and past through images of never-before-seen vintage postcards from both private and public collections, a release states. The book not only chronicles Altoona from its infancy, but also the railroad industry which founded the city - namely, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company."
Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec
Circa 1972.....David Seidel, sitting in member Babe Wahl's kitchen (member Mary Jo Wahl no doubt took the picture), whacking out a newsletter [cutting the stencils] for the Horseshoe Curve Chapter's 'Coal Bucket' on Mary Jo's electric Smith Corona portable [plugged into the stove at 1487 Washington Avenue, Altoona]. According to David, "This was a monthly or bi-monthly ritual, accompanied by Babe's percolated coffee and a superb culinary concoction [usually pie or raisin oatmeal cookies]. YUM ! Babe made the VERY BEST pie crust ever!!"
News and Information from the Horseshoe Curve Chapter.
Archive - News and Information from the Horseshoe Curve Chapter.
History of the Horseshoe Curve Chapter History of the Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS
Photographs and descriptions. (This information may not be up to date)
NRHS membership information.
Contact the Horseshoe Curve Chapter for current availability.
Remembering those that have served the Chapter in the past.
Contact information for the Horseshoe Curve, Chapter, NRHS
by Kim E. Wallace ... [et al.] - (External Link)
by John C. Paige" - (External Link)
Long Live Gable's (Department Store, Downtown Altoona, PA) - By Robert Jeschonek (External Link)
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, PA
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Ties historical photos to Google Maps - (External Link)
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by Railstream; Station Inn (External Link)
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"Between Christmas 2022 and New Years 2023, Altoona lost another big complicated piece of equipment once on display at ARMM. It was a piece of railroad equipment that was used when things went wrong on the tracks and a derailment of a train occurred. That piece was a 1948 Elkhart 250 ton Industrial Brownhoist Crane and Boom Car..." Please see the article, AN ENGINEERING MARVEL LOST, in the Spring 2023 "The Coal Bucket", by Leonard Alwine, Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS.
"In the Fall of 2021, the ARMM de-accessioned The Duquesne." Please see the article, A SPECIAL IN MEMORY, THE DUQUESNE, 1929 - 2022, in the Winter 2022 "The Coal Bucket", by Leonard Alwine, Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS.
NRHS and its logo are trademarks of the National Railway Historical Society.
"Railfest" is a trademark of the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum.
Panoramic photograph of the Horseshoe Curve seen throughout this website is used with permission, copyright: Kirk Leidy, Altoona, PA.
Photograph of Locomotive in collage is by Thomas Lynam & Altoona Archives.
The Horseshoe Curve "Eighth Wonder" Logo is a trademark of the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, Inc.
Author: Chris Behe
Copyright 1998-2024 All rights reserved.
Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS Business Meetings are held at 7:30 pm, on the fourth Tuesday of the Month at:
The Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
Social Meetings may be held at a pre-determined location. Contact Horseshoe Curve NRHS Chapter President Francis Givler, Jr. for further details.
You are invited to attend!
Be sure to visit the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum and the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark!
Revised: September 17, 2018
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