05-06-2025
PSU Altoona rail program in talks with Railroaders Museum to aid industry
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Penn State Altoona and the Pennsylvania Railroaders Museum are in preliminary talks to move the college's Rail Transportation Engineering program into the museum to help rural areas.
'There's no point in us working independently towards the same goal,' Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor of Penn State Altoona, said. 'The idea was for us to collaborate and do this.'
'Being able to bring the program here to the museum means a lot, because we won't just be a museum of artifacts and history, but it'll be a living, breathing, organic, site for people to come to and learn more about the rail industry,' museum executive director Joe DeFrancesco said.
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The program, based out of the Penn Building in downtown Altoona, has seen growth in enrollment over the years. It is the only rail program with ABET accreditation, meaning it meets quality standards concerning its field of work.
Residing in the state that houses the largest number of short-line rails in the country, the importance of railroads and their workers is crucial to the area, especially in Railroad City.
'We also want to be in the workforce development space, where maybe they are sending some of their employees to us for upscaling,' Darbeau added. 'We want to be an opportunity for Pennsylvanians who may be looking to change careers, to get into the rail industry.'
The talks provide an opportunity for both sides to find the benefits of working together. Not only do Penn State officials see a chance to grow the students' education, but the museum can aid visitors with a look into the future of the industry.
'The students will be able to learn about railroading's past while learning about the current day railroading,' DeFrancesco said. 'The visitors coming to the museum will probably be able to sit in or view some of the laboratory exercises.'
Last week, Darbeau testified in front of the Senate Transportation Committee at the museum's classroom to talk about the opportunities that lie ahead with the program. In doing so, he urged lawmakers to set aside resources to help the program and the area it is stationed in.
'I wanted them to hear how well received it is by employers, how successful our graduates are, and what its growth potential still is,' Darbeau said.
'The museum will be the hub of that research that may translate into improvements to existing infrastructure or possibly developing new infrastructure as needed for the rail industry,' DeFrancesco added.
The industry is facing an exodus of workers in the Baby Boom generation and an increasingly aging infrastructure that has surpassed the century mark. The future partnership looks to benefit both parties and the area.
'It is really critical that we replace those individuals with young men and women who are wonderfully well prepared, both in terms of their mastery of knowledge and skills,' Darbeau said.
'We're hopeful that this matures into a great and wonderful partnership,' DeFrancesco added.
Darbeau added that if a deal gets done, the college will move the program into the museum over the next few years.
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