Month: August 2008

Amtrak and PennDOT came together to put up a new website highlighting the Keystone line from Harrisburg to New York, via Philadelphia.  There’s information about why people should take the train, as well as details about the amenities at each station along the line.  Check it out at www.catchthekeystone.com.

At the sunset of yesterday, Front5151 (A member on PTV) reported that the first batch (8121-8125)of the 2008 order of hybrids are here. These units are currently at Germantown depot undergoing inspection, and awaiting for tags. While at Germantown depot today, it appears 8126, 8127, and 8129 has also arrived on SEPTA’s property.

Upon viewing these hybrids, there were several things to notice:

1. These hybrids  retained the unique rear sign placement as on their 2001-2004 D40LF counterparts
2. The Thermoking A/C has been relocated to the front portion of the bus
3. The option for the low profile battery on top of the bus has been exercised.
4. Like their Trackless trolley counterparts, a security camera on the outside of the bus is apparent.
5. Unlike the other New Flyers operating out of SEPTA. These units are longer in terms of length therefore making these units the DE41LF.
6. The location of the fleet number on the rear side of the bus has been relocated to top-right side of the back just below the rear designation sign.  

As for photos, thankfully PTV board member Jayayess1190 has taken some excellent photos of these units at Germantown depot.

For comments, and more photos

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7027977/4/

Photo was taken by Jayayess1190

According to Joe AKA silverliner_2 on the boards, the Nine Comet cars are set to arrive on SEPTA’s property by this weekend. These cars will be put into service by the October schedule change. Before then, these cars will undergo a minor overhaul. Their car numbers are, Comet I cabs 5121, 5132 and trailers 5727, 5728, 5735, 5741, 5742, and 5747. The extra car (#5118) will only serve a parts supply.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7027413/1/#new

More New Flyers were spotted operating on Allegheny’s routes today. This time around, several Frankford New Flyers were sighted on the routes 65 and 27. Their fleet numbers were 5801-5802, 5804 and 5904-5905. Expect more New Flyers to move from Frankford by the next week’s schedule change.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7012527/4/

 Today #5279 while operating on the route 88, was damange due to a engine fire, PTV board member TheOneCalledA1 has took exclusive photos of this bus  No injures has been reported.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7027728/1/

As if the wraps on 9079 and 9081 weren’t enough, more Philadelphia area railcars have been wrapped.  Market Frankford M4 car 1097 was wrapped in a Nestea ad, and PATCO 251 was wrapped for the FREEDOM card program.  You can find pictures on railroad.net, are of Chuchubob: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=72

If you haven’t heard, SEPTA is coming out with schedules that feature significantly expanded service.  The first wave of schedule changes is coming at the end of August, with the creation of route 139 (King of Prussia to Philadelphia Premium Outlets), additional Sunday evening service on route 96 (and more frequent headways during midday service) and route 99, and the creation of Sunday service on the 111 and 129.

Other enhancements include additional service to Willow Grove Train Station on route 310, midday service on route 8 (every 30 minutes), and OWL service on route 37.

There are just too many enhancements to list here!  Check out the new schedules on the SEPTA website: http://www.septa.org/service/preview_schedules.html

Tomorrow will be the 1st out of the 16 day shut down of the Market Frankford line-EL from 46th street to 69th street. Service from 40th/46th street station will be replaced by shuttle buses.

What’s interesting about this time which I’ve never noticed is that several bus routes will be slightly altered as well.

-The 52 (On weekdays) is set to make a diversion from its normal routing from 52nd street to stop at 46th street station to connect with the EL service.

Also 21 (5 a.m. and 7 p.m)  will ONLY operate to 61st and Pine Street, instead of having every other trip terminating at 69th Street Terminal. So this mean any current rider of the 21 will need to transfer to the EL bus shuttle in order to get to the terminal.