Month: October 2007

Despite the borough's request for the watchtower to remain in place as a landmark, SEPTA took it down on October 20th.  Just a couple of weeks ago, it was deactivated, replaced with a new switch system at the complicated Main and Broad Street crossings.  Fortunately, SEPTA agreed to take it down intact, giving it to the borough to be placed in an undetermined location.  In the meantime, SEPTA will put a plaque in the watchtower's place, commemorating 151 years of service.

You can find pictures of the dismantling of the watchtower at the following website: http://www.trainweb.org/phillynrhs/RPOTW071021.html

On November 18, SEPTA will give $1 credit to those who buy their tickets on board the train.  As we know, if a ticket is purchased on the train, whether the station has a ticket office or not, the rider is charged an additional surcharge (or what SEPTA calls it, the on board fare).

Soon, riders who pay the on-board fare will be able to take their receipt to a ticket office, and when they purchase their return ticket the same day, they will get a dollar off the ticket price.  Of course, this directly markets to the occasional Center City bound rider, as most ticket offices aren't open in the afternoon or on the weekends.

For more information on this new fare policy, please read the following article: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071027_SEPTA_puts_strings_on_surcharge_rebates.html

A Silverliner IV on train 385 collided with a car at the Red Lion Road crossing at 11:30PM last night.  Apparently, the car had been abandoned on the tracks with no lights on.  Fortunately, there were no injuries on the train. 

The lead S IV sustained considerable damage as the stairs on one of the traps was missing.  Also, one of the brake pipes was damaged and the train couldn't be moved.

For more information and updated information, please visit this thread on rr.net: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44640&sid=7a4a991dc533a8fb3d7203610baf562d

NJT's train schedules will offer new schedules that are effective October 28, 2007.  You can preview them on their website at the following location: http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainTimeTablesTo.  One of the major highlights is that the Pascack Valley Line will offer 121 new trains each week, including off-peak and new weekend service.

SEPTA held a meeting on October 23 with the Olney community regarding the demolition and reconstruction of Olney Station.  Improvements include a high level platform, extending the platform towards Mascher Street for better street visibility, bike racks, a passenger shelter, and more.  More details of this reconstruction can be found in this thread on rr.net: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44531.

Rotem USA Corp. found an old warehouse building in South Philadelphia that they will use for the final assembly of railcars for U.S. transit agencies.  The car shells would come from Korea, the wheels and trucks from Pennyslvania and Ohio, and the seats from China.  This warehouse would create 300 jobs for Philadelphians.

So far, SEPTA and California's Metrolink Commuter Rail system have orders for cars from this company.  In the meantime, Rotem is searching for other U.S. contracts. 

You can find more information here: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20071023_Company_to_make_railcars_in_S__Phila_.html

Eldorado 4534 caught fire this past Wednesday while working the 107 as seen on Garretford Drexel Hill Fire Company Station 20's website 4534 sufferred a fire in the engine compartment.  All passengers were off the bus when Station 20 arrived with two engines and quickly extinguished the fire.  Damage to 4534 appears to be relatively minor and it does not look like it will join 4539 at Midvale.  The other Eldorado whose status is in question, 4552, at last check, was still at Berridge for its fire repairs.

UPDATE: 4534 has returned to service.  It was seen on 107/305 4345 block today (10/25/2007).

Around 1:30 PM, Southern's 5372 got into an accident involving a limo as well as a PennDOT truck on the Roosevelt Blvd Extension.   This NABI has severe damage to the front right-hand side of the bus; essentially it was ripped apart when it ran into the truck.  It ended up pinning the limo to a wall on the left hand side of the roadway (on the bridge).

The cause of the accident hasn't been determined yet, although it's clear that this bus will not operate in service any longer.  Fortunately it was not in service when the accident occured.  Please visit the following website for photographs: http://www.nbc10.com/slideshow/slideshows/14343451/detail.html

At first, N5s 154 and 155 had their signs replaced with demo multi-colored LED signs.  Now, 3 more cars (131, 138, and 139) have joined the mix.  Time to get your last pictures of them with rollsigns, and keep you eyes peeled for any new cars that have them.

Frontier's 5895 was spotted in service on Saturday, running the 99.  This was the bus that caught fire in Fort Washington back in February.  Although it went through a minor overhaul, it still retains its DD50 engine.