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| PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH (1397002) | |
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| (1397002) | |
PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016 Electrified by the PRR in 1930, the West Chester Branch was a part of the Philadelphia Commuter Rail network up until the 1980's when service past Elwyn was "temporarily" suspended by SEPTA due to low ridership and budget cuts. This fiction was made a little less fictional about a decade later when SEPTA pulled the wire down to prevent theft (and also to claim the scrap value for itself). While there is some truth in the fact that the line was in driving distance to better served R5 stations, it is hard to fathom a transit agency shuttering a good portion of an electrified rail line just because.Today the outer portion of the WCB is operated by the West Chester Railroad tourist operation, and while there continue to be rumors of service being restored, the decade plus wait for a new station at Wawa indicates that full restoration might easily exceed our lifetimes. Last August a friend of mine took a little trip along the WCB, documenting the disused stations and the general character of the route. I have since processed the photos and made them available on my web hosting for you all to enjoy. We begin at Media with the SEPTA Silverliner V action as #722 pulls into the inbound platform.  This is followed by an outbound train of SL-IV's, #360 in the lead.  The same trainset returning to Center City as it crosses the Ridley Creek viaduct west of Media. This is the third vintage PRR viaduct on the branch.  The Elwyn station was chosen as the "temporary" terminal as it marks the end of double track operation.  Previously featuring a spring switch, ELYWN interlocking has recently been upgraded.  One might expect the old Williamson Station to factor into the Wawa expansion plans, but probably not.  The branch is still wired and signaled out past CP-SOUTH ELYWN. Equipment is stored in the Media yard and makes the short deadhead trip to Elwyn.  The Glen Riddle station as seen from above.  The Leni Substation supplies 12kv power to the outer end of the line and marks the end of both the overhead catenary and two 138kv transmission circuits. One travels the length of the WCB from Arsenal substation while the other heads cross country roughly parallel to the old PRR Chester Valley Branch to the Lamokin rotary converter plant on the NEC. With the Morton substation under renovation, the Leni substation is probably the last on the PRR network to retain all of its original equipment.  The signs are still up for the Leni station.  SEPTA's Leni training facility was built at the former junction of the PRR's Chester Creek and Octoraro Branches with the West Chester Branch. Not sure if it is still used or exactly what sort of training went on inside.  The aforementioned junction was controlled by WAWA tower, which used to sit at this location. The extra wide catenary supports and some rusty Octoraro Branch rails heading off into the woods are the only indication it ever existed.   The old Wawa station sat the point of the junction with its platform serving both West Chester and Octoraro trains.   The presence of a \ on the upper head is a pretty good indication of Manual Block territory. Here two deactivated distant signals sit opposed to each other, a hint to the line previously being equipped with single track ABS.  The GLen Mills quarry is the source of most ballast stone both on SEPTA and the NEC. This is the source of all non-tourist traffic past Elwyn.  The Glen Mills station was designed by famed Philadelphia architect Frank Furness and marks the east end of West Chester Railroad operations. The WCRR used to operate some excursion trains onto SEPTA, but SEPTA reduced maintenance below the level sufficient for passenger operations on the short section of the line past Elywn to prevent any additional excursions.  The 1890's vintage passenger shelter at Locksley is still holding on under the care of the WCRR.  The station at Cheyney was also the site of the outer branch's short passing siding until that was removed at some point.  Given the state of the Westtown station, I wouldn't bet on service being restored. Even without service the WCB is still a window into the interurban style operations in days of old.   The West Chester University station at Nields St.  West Chester Railroad Alco S-2 #3 stored in its Adam's Street yard.  The WCRR fleet as seen from Union St. The WCRR operates a couple of larger Alcos along with some vintage EMD Geeps and a number of former Reading MU coaches.  End of the line at Market Street in West Chester. Although a large and important town, the proximity of the Exton park and ride station on the former PRR Main Line always served to dempen potential ridership, especially after regular SEPTA R5 service was extended to Thorndale/Downingtown.  WCRR Plymouth critter at Market St.  Well that's the end of the set and the last of my guest photo posts from 2015. Next time we will continue on into the new year. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by chud1 on Tue May 24 10:40:52 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. 5 drooling stars out of 5 drooling stars for these pictures.chud1. :)..... |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Olog-hai on Tue May 24 10:48:09 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. While there is some truth in the fact that the line was in driving distance to better served R5 stationsNah, there's no truth in that at all. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by SLRT on Tue May 24 12:56:08 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. Thinking "back in the day" I think the West Chester branch was cut back for lack of funds and will to maintain it. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by TransitChuckG on Tue May 24 12:59:00 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Olog-hai on Tue May 24 10:48:09 2016. I disagree with Olog, The R5 is shorter in driving distance , but I'd bet the West Chester Line was more fun.The 69th st. to West Chester trolley was probably more fun, than the boring 104 bus. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue May 24 13:39:49 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. West Chester was once served by 2 rail lines. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue May 24 15:13:37 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. Very interesting. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Buddsilverliner269 on Tue May 24 18:01:49 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. No stone trains have originated from Glen Mills in probably 4-5 years now since septa made the track south of South Elwyn excepted track. They tried to strong arm amtrak into paying for upgrades to the line and of course amtrak refused so now they get its ballast elsewhere. There was talk recently about stone trains coming from Glen mills again but I'll believe it when I see it. It was fun as an amtrak engineer to run ballast trains at night. No more sigh :( |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by salaamallah@hotmail.com on Tue May 24 20:06:23 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. good shots |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Wed May 25 01:24:36 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Buddsilverliner269 on Tue May 24 18:01:49 2016. You can run freight over excepted track can't you? It's just 10mph. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Buddsilverliner269 on Wed May 25 10:43:39 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed May 25 01:24:36 2016. That I'm not sure Mike to be completely honestly. I'm willing to bet no since west Chester railroad hasn't done any offline trips lately into Philly |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Wed May 25 11:06:16 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Buddsilverliner269 on Wed May 25 10:43:39 2016. Yes, passenger trains cannot run on excepted track. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Q4 on Wed May 25 16:44:21 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. Thanks for the photos. Great job |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Thu May 26 00:38:15 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Q4 on Wed May 25 16:44:21 2016. Well they aren't my photos, just presented by me. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Q4 on Thu May 26 08:38:33 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Thu May 26 00:38:15 2016. Well then kudos to the photographer and to you for printing them. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by orange blossom special on Thu May 26 10:49:13 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. Suspended is not a fiction. It is political speak.How many politicians "suspend" their campaign, instead of dropping out? Or, 'suspended with pay'. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Olog-hai on Thu May 26 11:11:39 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by orange blossom special on Thu May 26 10:49:13 2016. Suspended is not a fiction. It is political speakHow true. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 11:56:13 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. Thanks for this reportage on our branch, Mike. About SEPTA suspending service.... As has been pointed out, WC station is less than 2 miles from Exton station and by mostly highway. A commute into Center City Philadelphia would take a fraction of the time on one of those trains as opposed to one from West Chester, changing at Media. Also, The Paoli/Thorndale branch of SEPTA is maintained by Amtrak, not SEPTA. Given that, I think removing service from West Chester in 1986 was a smart move by SEPTA.About restoring service.... well much is said about the complete loss of the overhead catenary system. But, with modest repair of the track and road bed, a Diesel rail car type operation from Media is not unreasonable. But again, if you live in WC and commute in to work, man, just drive to Exton (plenty of parking) and get on the Great Valley Flyer! Fulton Frank Qualified Conductor (and Student Engineer) West Chester Railroad |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Thu May 26 14:05:25 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 11:56:13 2016. Of course if there's a service disruption its nice to have a backup available. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 14:13:37 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Thu May 26 14:05:25 2016. As you probably know there will be a service disruption like this weekend. From now until Labor Day MEdia/Elwyn trains will terminate at Swarthmore. The Crum Creek Viaduct replacement project..... Bus-titution from Elwyn, Media, Rose Tree, Wallingford to Swarthmore and back.SEPTA has a website link to the project. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Thu May 26 14:40:41 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 14:13:37 2016. Of all the things they could spend their money one SEPTA chooses to destroy a historic piece of engineering that is stronger than anything that could be built today. How about using that $$ to get the Wawa expansion finished. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 14:50:26 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Thu May 26 14:40:41 2016. I agree with that 100% Mike. I attended many of the hearings (mostly because one of their access road comes through our front lawn!)They have been going around saying "the trestle is dangerous" "It has been around for over 100 years". I tell people the PRR built it's infrastructure to last *forever* if maintained at the level of its day. The trestle is steel box-girder with steel lattice piers (supports). It requires frequent descaling, rust proofing and painting. What SEPTA feels - without being so honest as saying, I guess - is that such maintenance is more expensive - in the long run - than replacing the whole thing with an all (or mostly) concrete structure. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Mark S. Feinman on Fri May 27 13:14:57 2016, in response to PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Jersey Mike on Tue May 24 08:05:31 2016. Great series Mike!--Mark |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by NIMBYkiller on Sat May 28 23:11:40 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 11:56:13 2016. And for those who don't drive? |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Olog-hai on Sun May 29 13:30:07 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Fulton Frank on Thu May 26 11:56:13 2016. WC station is less than 2 miles from Exton stationIt's about five miles away via route 100, and that's the shortest route. Going by highway, it's 6.1 miles. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by Olog-hai on Sun May 29 13:33:36 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Olog-hai on Sun May 29 13:30:07 2016. Just to clarify: The distance between West Chester station and Exton station is 4.9 miles via historic Route 100. It's the same distance along that corridor between West Chester and Whitford stations. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by TransitChuckG on Sun May 29 13:47:37 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Olog-hai on Sun May 29 13:33:36 2016. There's a faster way from West Chester to Whitford station, via historic Route 100., then turn off onto Grove. Rd., just slightly outside of West Chester. Grove Rd. becomes Whitford Rd., after it crosses Boot Rd., and will take you directly to Whitford Station.. |
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Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH |
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Posted by TransitChuckG on Sun May 29 16:22:08 2016, in response to Re: PHOTOS: WEST CHESTER BRANCH, posted by Olog-hai on Sun May 29 13:33:36 2016. Mapquest gave me 5.1 miles, (10 minutes), from the WCRR station to the Exton RR station via historic route 100, figuring all the turns and one way streets in West Chester.Then I did WCRR Station to Whitford station, the way I described in the last post, and it gave me 4.8 miles(10) minutes, so it's little shorter to drive to Whitford, and I can tell you that you have a better chance of getting a parking spot at Whitford. I live a few miles from Whitford and if I'm using Septa to center City, I always go to Whitford. if you are using Amtrak, you can't use Whitford, you must use Exton or Paoli, orwhatever the schedule tells you is a stop for your Amtrak train. |
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