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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.

Starting today, due to construction service, rt 13 will operate on Woodland Ave to 49th street, then scoot on over to 49th Street and follow the regular route to Yeadon and Darby.  This is due to a massive construction project that will replace 4000 ft of old track.  Shuttle buses will run on Chester Ave between 40th Street and 49th Street.

More details here: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,193244.shtml

Ever since 1856, Lansale was using a watchman to control the crossing gates in Lansdale at Main Street and Broad Street.  This continued up until the 21st Century, where the Lansdale crossing was one of two in the country that was manually operated, and the only one east of the Mississippi River.  The main reason this watchman was retained was because of the complicated crossing nature of Lansdale station, particularly for short-turning trains since they stop so close to the street.

This weekend, SEPTA installed switches and circuits that would render the watchman and watchtower useless.  However, just in case there are any bugs in the system There is a comprehensive article (complete with pictures) at the following website: http://www.trainweb.org/phillynrhs/RPOTW071007.html.