Railroaders Memorial Museum

What Railroaders Memorial Museum does

The Railroaders Memorial Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit heritage organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Altoona, Pennsylvania, operating two anchor sites — the Railroaders Memorial Museum housed in the restored 1882 Pennsylvania Railroad Master Mechanic's Building, and the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark — along with the Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse that contains an extensive rolling stock collection. The museum preserves and interprets central Pennsylvania railroad history, centered on artifacts such as PRR K4 1361 "Spirit of Altoona" (one of two surviving K4s Class locomotives), GG-1 No. 4913, and thousands of archival items including oral histories, blueprints from the 1870s, and employee records. The organization is currently executing a multi-year, ~$2.4M K4 1361 restoration project led by FMW Solutions and approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, alongside a fully funded Penn Central N10 caboose restoration.

Revenue is generated across eight diversified streams: gate admissions (including a combo ticket across both sites), a four-tier membership program ($45-$400 annually), gift shop and online store sales (shop.railroadcity.org), tax-deductible donations and project-specific fundraising, venue rentals (Railyard starting at $1,000, DeGol Pavilion at $150 for 3 hours), corporate sponsorships, $100 memorial wall plaques, and emerging technical training such as the $1,500-per-participant Dash-2 Electrical Control Systems course. Customer segments span tourists and rail enthusiasts, families, K-12 school and scout groups, adult bus tours, and event renters. Distribution relies on physical on-site visitation supplemented by a FareHarbor online booking platform, partnerships with three local hotels (Station Inn, Wingate by Wyndham, Fairfield Inn), the Virtual Railfan live stream, and Facebook/Google Business presence as top-of-funnel drivers. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mark Ritchey, with former Norfolk Southern CEO Charles "Wick" Moorman as a director; Joseph A. DeFrancesco serves as Executive Director and Brendan Betts as Director of Operations, supported by a lean team of approximately 15-20 staff and seasonal site assistants.

Name

Railroaders Memorial Museum

Legal name

Railroaders Memorial Museum

Website

https://railroadcity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Railroaders Memorial Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit heritage organization in Altoona, Pennsylvania operating the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, and a rolling stock roundhouse, serving tourists, rail enthusiasts, families, K-12 school groups, and corporate training clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Museum & Cultural Attractions

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (712120), Museums (71211), Support Activities for Rail Transportation (4882)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

History Museums (THAJADAB), Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC), Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

Keywords

• Railroad history exhibits
• Heritage museum tours
• National historic landmark
• Educational field trips
• Museum gift shop

Headquarters

HQ city

Altoona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Revenue from tickets to both the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark. Combo tickets available for both sites.
2. Membership Program: Annual Friends of the Railroaders Memorial Museum membership with tiers offering unlimited visits, store discounts, and event benefits.
3. Gift Shop Sales: Revenue from gift shop merchandise at both sites. Online store available at shop.railroadcity.org.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations supporting museum operations, K4 1361 restoration project, World's Fair Light restoration, and general operations. 501c3 non-profit corporation.
5. Venue Rentals: Rental income from Railyard venue (concerts, weddings, events starting at $1,000), DeGol Pavilion ($150 for 3 hours), and museum spaces.
6. Training Programs: Professional locomotive technical training courses such as Dash-2 Electrical Control Systems Training at $1,500 per participant.
7. Memorial Wall Plaques: Plaque sales on Patterson Family Memorial Wall honoring railroad workers for $100 one-time enrollment fee.
8. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship opportunities including event sponsorship, digital sponsorship, guidebook listings, lecture series recognition, and exhibit sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Railroaders Memorial Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit heritage institution that preserves and interprets the history of railroad workers and railroading in central Pennsylvania. It operates two physical sites — the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, PA, and the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark — and sells admissions, memberships, gift shop merchandise, venue rentals, educational programs, and corporate training/safety sessions.

Product overview

Railroaders Memorial Museum operates as a multi-site heritage and educational organization centered around railroad history in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The core offerings include the Railroaders Memorial Museum (located in the historic Master Mechanic's Building), the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, and the Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse housing extensive rolling stock. The museum's portfolio includes historic locomotive restoration projects (K4 1361, Penn Central Caboose), venue rentals, membership programs, educational initiatives (STEAM programs, training courses), special events (Twilight at the Curve), and extensive archival collections. The organization is structured around four core mandates: Preservation, Promotion, Education, and Engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Railroaders Memorial Museum Admission Walk-in admission to the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, PA, featuring exhibits on the history of railroad workers, locomotives, and railroading in central Pennsylvania. Aimed at tourists, families, school groups, and rail enthusiasts.
• Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark Tour Guided visitation and tours of the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, one of the most recognized engineering achievements in American railroading. Aimed at visitors, railfans, and educational groups.
• Educational Field Trip Programs Curriculum-aligned school and youth programs delivered at the museum and Horseshoe Curve, focused on railroad history, engineering, and industrial heritage. Targeted at K-12 teachers, students, and youth organizations.
• Corporate Training & Safety Programs Railroad-themed corporate training and safety sessions hosted at the museum, leveraging its rail heritage environment and exhibits. Targeted at railroad companies, transportation employers, and workforce training buyers.
• Venue Rental / Event Space Rental of museum galleries and event spaces for private functions, corporate gatherings, and community events. Targeted at event planners, corporations, and community organizations.
• Annual Museum Membership Recurring annual membership granting free admission, member benefits, and support of the museum's preservation mission. Targeted at local residents, repeat visitors, and rail history supporters.
• Museum Gift Shop Merchandise Retail sale of railroad-themed apparel, books, scale models, souvenirs, and gifts at the museum's on-site store and online channels. Targeted at museum visitors and rail enthusiasts.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Horseshoe Curve Chapter of the National Railway Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owns rolling stock displayed at the museum including REA REFER 7375 (restored by Millennium Railcar) and PRR RPO 5239 'Robert E. Hannegan'. Historical partner in acquiring and operating Horseshoe Curve site.
• Penn Central Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with museum to restore Penn Central N10 cabin car to its original Penn Central configuration. Project is fully funded and underway inside Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse.
• Norfolk Southern CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor supporter and corporate sponsor. Donated SD60I locomotive 6721 to Penn State Altoona RTE Program. Operates the rail lines that the museum preserves heritage of. Norfolk Southern employees volunteer on K4 1361 restoration project.
• FMW SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationK4 restoration specialist and railroad contractor providing mechanical engineering expertise and professional project management. Performing inspection, engineering calculations, NDT testing, and restoration work on K4 1361.
• Millennium Railcar of Hollidaysburg, PAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRestored Railway Express Agency REA REFER 7375 refrigerator car for the museum.
• Union Tank Car of AltoonaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRestored PRR B60 baggage car which is now owned by the Railroaders Memorial Museum.
• Curry Rail in Hollidaysburg, PAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPainted SD60I locomotive 6721 into Penn State Altoona RTE color scheme.
• Penn State Altoona Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived donated SD60I locomotive 6721 from Norfolk Southern in 2020 to serve as hands-on lab for RTE students. Locomotive painted into Penn State color scheme. Museum owns the locomotive.
• Bennett Levin / Juniata Terminal CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail preservationist who helped museum acquire PRR Mountain View observation car in 2006.
• ConrailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious owner/operator of Horseshoe Curve transferred property to museum in early 1990s. Donated 1947 Mack Fire Truck to museum in 2024. Historical successor to Pennsylvania Railroad operations.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with museum and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to renovate Horseshoe Curve into visitor destination in early 1990s.
• Commonwealth of PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with National Park Service and museum to renovate Horseshoe Curve. PHMC logo displayed as supporter.
• Station Inn Bed & BreakfastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocated 10 miles west of Horseshoe Curve. Offers 10% discount for RMM visitors using code RMM1361 for stays of 2+ nights.
• Wingate by Wyndham AltoonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffers discounted rates for Railroaders Memorial Museum visitors who book by phone.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites AltoonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffers regular discounts for Railroaders Memorial Museum visitors who book online.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/railroadcity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/railroaders-memorial-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Railroaders Memorial Museum