Along the Broadway | Historical Lecture Series

All aboard for a journey through the annals of railroading history!

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum for our 2026 lecture series, “Along the Broadway,” held in the Dave Seidel Memorial Auditorium. From the pioneers of the PRR to the haunting legends of the rails, this year’s lineup features expert speakers, local historians, and exclusive documentary premieres.

Whether you are a lifelong "foamer," a history buff, or just curious about the heritage of the Railroad City, there is a seat for you at the table.

📍 Event Details

Where: Railroaders Memorial Museum (1200 9th Ave, Altoona, PA)

Location: Dave Seidel Memorial Auditorium

When: Monthly (See schedule below)

Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM | Lectures begin at 7:00 PM

$5 Donation

Refreshments: Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

📅 2026 Lecture Schedule

Feb 17: Wreck of the Red Arrow – Exclusive Documentary Premiere

March 6: Mark Glenn – Dr. Charles Dudley of the PRR

April 10: Conrail 50th Anniversary Celebration

May 8: Julie Fether – East Broad Top Railroad Archives

June 5: Ken Serfass - America 250 Presentation

August 7: Mark Glenn – The Unique Blair Gap Water System for PRR Shops

Sept 4: Matt Hankinson & Gavin Zimmerman – Railroading During the Civil War

Oct 9: Ed Ekeleman – Ghost Stories of the Railroad

Nov 13: Jim Lowe – Fighting Railroaders and Their Stories

Why Attend?

The "Along the Broadway" series isn't just a history lesson; it's a community gathering dedicated to preserving the sweat, steel, and spirit of the people who built our region. Come early to grab a snack, find a good seat, and chat with fellow history enthusiasts.

Spread the word! Invite your friends, share this event, and help us keep the history of the rails alive in Altoona.

Haunted Circus | Return of the GhostTracers

Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24th, 2026
Tour Times: 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM
Location: Railroaders Memorial Museum (1200 9th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602)

Age Limit: Must be 12+ to attend

Admission
Tickets: $15 per person

Step right up... if you dare.

The haunted season is upon us! It’s been one year since the GhostTracers tryouts of 2025. Last year's event was hosted by Adam and Todd Lafferty, but due to unforeseen events, our fearless leader Adam was taken by the ghost clowns of the Walter L. Main Circus! Nobody has seen him since, so we have to rebuild the team.

We are down a member, so we are opening up tryouts again for 2026! Only one of you will be selected, so come prepared to solve the mystery. The area's number one paranormal investigation team, the GhostTracers, has been called back into action to take down the Ghost of the Museum. He has been causing havoc and terrifying guests—and it’s up to us and YOU to put an end to the paranormal activity!

The ghost has disrupted the power throughout the building, so there are no working lights. Prepare for tryouts in pitch darkness with only our lanterns to guide us! Throughout the tour, expect encounters with both friendly and terrifying spirits who are stuck in limbo. Some of these ghosts may want to share their stories of how they ended up as spirits—make sure you listen, as you will need all the help you can get to survive the night! Be prepared for the unexpected, as some spirits love to jump scare you.

Will you make it through the night? Put the clues together with your team, figure out how to send the ghost back where he came from, and earn a spot on the area's premier paranormal team—the best this side of 17th Street, the GhostTracers!

Special Feature
Ruby on Location: Pose for photos with "Ruby," the legendary Supernatural Impala tribute car, on-site all evening!

 Warning: Spots are extremely limited and tours will sell out fast. Grab your tickets now and test your courage—because once the circus gates close, there’s no turning back...

 Get your tickets today!

All sales are final and non-refundable.

Laugh Tracks: Comedy Night at the Museum

Get ready for a night of big laughs in a unique setting! Join us at the museum for Laugh Tracks, a premier stand-up comedy showcase featuring three of the region's most compelling comics. Whether you're a fan of the surreal, the heartfelt, or the community-driven, this lineup has something for everyone.

 WHEN: November 6th  TIME: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
TICKETS: $25 per person (link coming soon)
SEATING: First come, first served—arrive early to grab a great spot!
WHERE: Railroaders Memorial Museum
1200 9th Ave Altoona, PA 16602

THE LINEUP:

DANIEL OWENS - Daniel has been tickling the funny bones of folks across Pennsylvania and beyond for several years, delivering his offbeat observations and opinions on apples, international supply chains, and Lou Bega. He currently resides in State College, PA with a box of clowns.

MORGAN MITCHELL - Morgan has been performing all her life--mostly when masking her ADHD. Her mom thinks she is really funny though. In 2008, she starred as Ms. Brannigan, a villainous nursing home director in the musical parody "Granny! Annie After 80". Formally trained as an English teacher and yoga instructor, she takes advantage of captive audiences to try to get cheap laughs to bolster her self esteem.

 AGE: 21+ ONLY (Mature content)  DRINKS & SNACKS: A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase.

All sales are final and non-refundable.

Movie Night at the Museum

Where: Railroaders Memorial Museum, 1200 9th Ave Altoona, PA 16602
When: Friday, November 20th, 2026 | Showtime: 6:30 PM
Tickets: Children $6.00 | Adults (18+) $8.00

Seating is limited. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended, though remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

Join us at the Railroaders Memorial Museum for a theater experience at an affordable price! Gather the family, grab your favorite theater treats, and enjoy double-feature fun right inside our museum.

Fresh popcorn, candy, fountain drinks, and additional refreshments will be available for purchase at the concession counter!

Upcoming Movie Night Schedule

Mark your calendars! We'll be rolling out the red carpet all winter long with the following lineups:

Nov 20: Knives Out (Opening Feature: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving)

Dec 4: Gremlins (Opening Feature: Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special)

Dec 11: The Muppet Christmas Carol (Opening Feature: A Charlie Brown Christmas)

Dec 19: Home Alone (Screening during our "A Magical Christmas" event!)

Jan 15: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Jan 29: Night at the Museum

Feb 12: Cars

Feb 19: The Goonies

Mar 12: Unstoppable

Mar 19: Peter Rabbit

Reserve Your Seats:

Secure your tickets online in advance to guarantee your spot before seating fills up!

All sales are final and non-refundable.

Bingo Night at the Museum!

Looking for a unique and exciting night out? Join us for Bingo Night at the Museum! Step inside our historic railroad building and experience the thrill of the game in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. With fun hosts, great company, and the chance to win amazing cash prizes, it's the perfect way to spend your evening.

Bingo cards will be available for purchase. Whether you're a seasoned Bingo pro or just looking for a fun night out with friends and family, you won't want to miss this!

📍 Where:

Railroaders Memorial Museum

1200 9th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602

🕒 When:

Join us from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the following dates:

• November 18

• December 9 & 16

• January 6 & 20

• February 3 & 17

• March 3 & 10

Christmas Junction | Indoor Market

Event Details
Date & Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Railroaders Memorial Museum, 1200 9th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602
Admission: FREE for all visitors!

What to Expect:
Multiple indoor local vendors, festive holiday decorations throughout the museum, and family-friendly seasonal fun.

Step into a winter wonderland of holiday shopping and historic charm at the Railroaders Memorial Museum! Join us for Christmas Junction, a festive indoor vendor market celebrating the holiday season surrounded by rich railroad heritage. Explore the museum halls completely transformed with dazzling Christmas decorations and festive cheer while browsing an incredible selection of local vendors offering unique gifts, crafts, holiday decor, handmade goods, and treats. Whether you're hunting for the perfect holiday gift or simply looking to soak in the seasonal atmosphere with family and friends, this is a holiday event you won't want to miss!

Bring your family, support local makers, and experience the magic of the holidays at the museum!

🎄 Santa's Coming to Town | Christmas at the Curve!🎅

📅 Date: Friday, December 18th, 2026

🕔 Doors Open: 5:00 PM (Santa will arrive via Norfolk Southern between 6:00–7:00 PM)

💵 Admission: $10 per person

📍 Location: Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark

2400 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Altoona, PA 16601

Corporate Sponsors:

Hot chocolate & cookies

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we kick off A Magical Christmas with a heartwarming visit from Santa Claus himself — arriving in true railroad style! 🚂✨

✨ Event Highlights

🎁 Santa’s Grand Arrival: Watch in wonder as Santa Claus makes a spectacular entrance aboard a Norfolk Southern train straight from the North Pole! Arrival expected between 6:00 and 7:00 PM — don’t miss this magical moment!

☕ Warm Up with Cheer: Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, and popcorn while you soak in the festive sights and sounds of the season.

📸 Photos with Santa: Capture the joy and smiles with photo opportunities alongside Santa, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Bring your family, friends, and holiday spirit as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic landmarks. ❤️🎅

The funicular should be in-service for this event but if we have to close it due to weather, the UTV will be available to take people to the top.

We can’t wait to see you there!

All sales are final and non-refundable.

🎄✨ A Magical Christmas in Railroad City ✨🎄

📅 Date: Saturday, December 19th, 2026

🕔 Time: Doors open at 5 PM | Movie starts at 7 PM

💵 Admission: $10 per person

📍 Location: Railroaders Memorial Museum

1200 9th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602

Corporate Sponsors:

Hot chocolate & cookies

Step into the magic of the holiday season at A Magical Christmas in Railroad City! 🎅✨

Experience a festive evening filled with joy, laughter, and holiday cheer for the entire family — all set against the charming backdrop of the historic Railroaders Memorial Museum.

🎁 Event Highlights

📸 Meet Santa Claus: Santa will be visiting the museum, ready for photos and Christmas wish lists! Kids can even mail their letters straight to the North Pole.

🎶 Spread Christmas Cheer: Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes as the sounds of the season fill the air.

🎨 Festive Fun for All: Create holiday crafts, sip warm hot cocoa, and snack on cookies and candy canes while exploring our beautifully decorated museum.

🎬 Movie Night Magic: Home Alone | End the evening with a Christmas movie screening at 7 PM! Enjoy complimentary popcorn and cozy up for a night of cinematic holiday joy.

Bring your family and friends, soak in the festive atmosphere, and make memories that will last a lifetime. ❤️🎄

Don’t miss this heartwarming holiday tradition in Railroad City!

All sales are final and non-refundable.