Business Magnate. He was a civil engineer, railroad executive, and industrialist. He overcame the Pennsylvania Railroad's problem of crossing the Allegheny Mountains, by designing the Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Curve, built in 1845, is located at the end of a long "U" which gradually climbs up two sides of a steep valley. This horseshoe allowed rail passengers and goods travel between New York City and Chicago, giving Pennsylvania an edge in developing the American Midwest. Thomson's design was so efficient that it is virtually unchanged in design since its construction. Thomson became the third President of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1852, a position he held until 1874. As president he oversaw the company's conversion from wood to coal as a fuel for its steam locomotives.
Business Magnate. He was a civil engineer, railroad executive, and industrialist. He overcame the Pennsylvania Railroad's problem of crossing the Allegheny Mountains, by designing the Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Curve, built in 1845, is located at the end of a long "U" which gradually climbs up two sides of a steep valley. This horseshoe allowed rail passengers and goods travel between New York City and Chicago, giving Pennsylvania an edge in developing the American Midwest. Thomson's design was so efficient that it is virtually unchanged in design since its construction. Thomson became the third President of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1852, a position he held until 1874. As president he oversaw the company's conversion from wood to coal as a fuel for its steam locomotives.
Bio by: rjschatz
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