Living on the New Jersey side of Philadelphia for over a decade I always presumed living in Main Line referred to something like the living in the Bronx. Here at the Railroaders Memorial Museum I learned the actual term is "Living ON the Main Line". In the Good 'Ol Days before good roads and automobiles, Pennsy employees and dependents could ride the train for free so living within easy walking distance of the "Main Line" allowed day trips to Philadelphia or even Pittsburgh.
From here on the walkway over the Main Line from Altoona proper to the museum is an overview of their extensive grounds and outside exhibits. The inside exhibits are located in the brick building in the background. For the purest it's possible to ride the Amtrak passenger train to Altoona and cross the walkway to the museum.
Unfortunately like most of these private museums the volunteer labor and resources available to maintain and restore this old equipment is severely limited.
Not all of the equipment is in bad shape and the inside exhibits are typically excellent even if the lighting seems a little dim.
As with most technologies the devil is in the details like the interior of this steam locomotive. Even things that appear very simple like rails are extraordinary complex. No the spikes do not hold the rails which may be over 100 pounds per yard down but keep them from separating. While roller bearings are becoming more common the old style car wheels are fixed on a solid axle so on any curve one side must slide to keep to the same speed causing the familiar squeal. Sharp curves like on the Horseshoe Curve cause severe wear on both wheels and rails and may need to be replaced even in the middle of a blizzard. Also the locomotive pulls up a grade by pushing back on the rail which requires special clips anchored to the ties to keep the rails from sliding downhill. So many fascinating exhibits!