Month: February 2008

Back in January, we mentioned that Montgomery County was interested in starting up a very scaled back version of the Schuylkill Valley Metro.  Now, we found more details about the project.

The Montgomery Country task force is now studying the feasibility of running a diesel shuttle train from Norristown Transportation Center to Wyomissing, via Reading.  Of course, with the use of a diesel engine, passengers would have to transfer at the transportation center from R6 trains coming from Center City.  They started meeting back in September and hope to come to a conclusion in June, when public hearings will be held.

The consulting agency behind this project is DJHM of Philadelphia.  Their task: to keep the project as simple as possible.

This means no direct service to Philadelphia via Lower Merion, keeping it a diesel line, and making limited stops in Norristown, Port Kennedy, Phoenixville, Royersford, Pottstown, Monocacy, Reading and Wyomissing.  Service would also be hourly or bihourly, with half hourly service possible during peak travel times.  Also, this means that the project will no longer carry the name Schuylkill Valley Metro, since it has a connotation that is definitely not what the task force envisions for this project.  It will simply be known as the R6 Extension.

Representatives in this project include:

• Montgomery County (the leader)
• Chester and Berks County Reps.
• SEPTA
• BARTA
• Norfolk Southern, who may be interested in operating the trains
• Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Authority
• Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
• PennDOT, an active observer 

This news comes to us from PottsMerc.com by way of this thread on railroad.net.

New Jersey Transit awarded a contract for 27 ALP-46As to Bombardier on Friday.  These new electric engines are based on the reliable ALP-46s currently running in service, only with a few upgrades.  First, they will be more powerful, meaning that they would be able to haul the multilevel coaches more easily.  Also, these engines will be able to reach speeds of 125 mph!  The shipments of these engines are scheduled to being in fall of 2009.

More details in Bombardier's Press Release: http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/pressrelease.jsp?group=1_0&lan=en&action=view&mode=list&id=9164&sCateg=1_0

The first production model of SEPTA's new E40LFR fleet is now at Frankford Terminal.  It was spotted today by yours truly in the Frankford Bays, and was reported to be, in fact, 801 by others.  This bus isn't going into service just yet; it will be used to train supervisors and control center people, then the operators.

NJT's new NABIs aren't your typical 416.  They feature a completely redesigned front, which is the same front end that can be seen on Las Vegas's new NABI 40-LFW hybrids.  Right now, 5201 may be assigned to Fairview Garage in Northern New Jersey, which has a significant number of Metro Bs.

Photograph linked from APP.com (Asbury Park Press) – Click picture for link to article

Today, two plainclothes officers spotted a man smoking between cars on the Broad Street Line (BSL).  Asking him to put it out, they escorted the man off the train at Allegheny Station.  The man drew a gun, pointing it at the officers.  To this, the officers shot him in the shoulder.

More information here: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080220_Transit_cop_shoots_armed_man_at_Broad_Street_stop.html

Here's a copy of the article from DART First State's website: www.dartfirststate.com. 

 

The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO), in cooperation with Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation, Claymont Community Coalition, New Castle County Land Use Department, New Castle County Council, Claymont Historical Society, and DelDOT have been developing a plan to improve the Claymont train station. Community input is needed at an "open house" public workshop

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Claymont Community Center 

The workshop will feature poster displays of the five station design options, photos, maps, and other tools for workshop attendees to use to help spark discussion about the improvement plan. WILMAPCO and other staff will be on hand to answer questions and listen to comments.

The workshop will be held Wednesday, February 27 from 4-8pm at:

Claymont Community Center
Front Lobby
3301 Green Street
Claymont, DE 19703

New Jersey Transit's Metro B # 3000 has returned to service.  This bus is NJT's original Metro B suburban, and was stored at Hamilton Twp as a training bus.  Now, it was sent down to Washington Twp to help with the bus shortages as NJT impatiently waits for the NABI 416s to arrive.  Keep your eyes peeled!

SEPTA is sponsoring a page that's a tribute to Black History Month and the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  This sites shows how different people were influenced and inspired by Dr. King's work, and explains the different ways that they "get MLK".  This website also has information and the history of the Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia's oldest black newspaper, and other black enterprises. 

Visit the site for more details: http://getmlk.septa.org/.

In late June, you may see DART First State buses running in the Dover area on Saturdays.  This is because DART is planning to operate four Kent County routes on Saturdays. Routes 101, 104, 109 and 112 were chosen because they have the highest ridership.  This pilot program will last for a year to test weekend ridership in the Dover area.

On a side note, DART was considering the start of Sunday service in the Wilmington area as well.

As noted on the forums for the past several weeks, Midvale is swapping their 2003-04 fleet of flyers for Comly's and now Callowhill's 2001 New Flyer D40LFs.  A possible reason why this move is in place: Within the past few years alone.  Midvale has have a ton of buses being listed as out of service, and they wanted to use other depot buses to see how these operate throughout their routes.  Well jeez, perhaps they didn't get the fact that their maintenance is considered shady at best!!!

These moves are more then likely considered brief and temporary, therefore the current assignment page will not get updated!

The switches so far include:

Midvale: 5432, 5439, 5441, 5443, 5444, 5450, 5458, 5462, 5464, 5467, 5470

(5464 at Willow Grove Mall, taken by Brandon S.) 

Callowhill: 5674, 5668, 5692, 5698, 5702, 5714, 5749, 5925, 5928, 5931, 5935, 5937, 5938, 5948