23-08-25 PHOTOS: 36th St Connections

The interlocking and junction known as ZOO and its historical territory perhaps doesn't get as much coverage as it deserves due to being in a part of Philadelphia that lacks access to good rail transit and while also being unpleasant to drive to. One of ZOO's more interesting locations is often known as 36th St Junction where Amtrak trains bound for 30th St Station's lower level split from the Main Line that send SEPTA trains to 30th St Station's upper level. In the late summer of 2023 I the opportunity to go out with a friend who knows how to navigate Philly's bus system to reach 36th St junction and spend some time getting photos there ( mirror ).

Like many of my rail adventures this one started off in the Baltimore area, but unlike many recent trips I caught my Amtrak train from my old stomping grounds of Baltimore Penn Station. I was connecting to Amtrak there as I wanted to get some pics of the new B&O style CPL dwarf installed as part of the new Track F platform.

I had arrived on a MARC local pulled by MP36PH-3C #16 and would connect to a northbound Acela led by power car #2014.

I was lucky enough to get on one of the 2 Acela round trips with a beverage cart. I saw a woman order a $10 glass of white wine and get pretty much a full 16oz solo cup pour.

SEPTA Silverliner IV #408 at 30th St.

One of the most iconic features of 36th St Jct is the double cantilever signal located at the west end. Still controlled from the 1930 vintage US&S interlocking machine in ZOO tower, trains to Suburban Station head straight while trains to 30th St station's lower lever diverge.

Westbound SEPTA R5 comprised of Silverliner IV's including #422 and #367, passing through the junction on main track #4.

ZOO used to see a lot of freight traffic, but today this has been reduced to the single track Trenton Line, now run by CSX and completely separated from Amtrak. Here CSX ES44AC #947 and CM44AC #7000 head eastbound through the old limit of ZOO.

Eastbound R5 train with Silverliners IV #396 and #336

The great ZOO tower was recently given a fresh set of windows and reproduction PRR keystone nameplates.

An inbound R5 with Silverliner IV #436 heading on track #1 towards the 30th St upper level.

ZOO used to control the junction between the SEPTA R's 5, 7 and 8 known as K Tower, but this was transferred to SEPTA control in 2005. The new KAY interlocking did result in LED amber position light signals.

An inbound Amtrak Keystone service train takes the diverging move at 36th St with Metroliner Cab Car #9641 leading and ACS-86 electric #652 on the rear.

An outbound SEPTA R5 heading west on track #4 as it crosses over the 36th St tunnel that carries the R7 and R8 trains to and from the Connecting Railroad that runs across North Philly.

One such R7 train, containing Silverliner V #809, emerging from the 36th St tunnel and heading towards Center City on track #2.

Moving to the other side of the tracks near the Philadelphia Zoo, I caught an interesting surprise when a shop move with coupled Silverliners IV and V showed up on track #4 waiting for a signal to proceed west to Overbrook Maintenance Facility.

The new location allowed for photos of NEC movements on the River Line that joined the Connecting Railroad to the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore via 30th St Station. First to appear was the same Keystone that had arrived from Harrisburg now departing for Penn Station New York.

This was followed by a southbound Regional with ACS-86 #659 and a southbound NJT Atlantic City Line train with GP40PH-2B #4207.

When ZOO was built, it replaced 5 independent interlocking towers. As more of ZOO is slowly re-signaled, many of these lost interlockings are re-emerging. This new relay hut is labeled for the historic D1 interlocking tower, which closed in 1930.

Next up on the NEC was a southbound Acela Express with power cars #2015 and #2010.

Heading back across the tracks to catch the return bus I happened on an inbound R8 with Silverliners IV emerging from the 36th St tunnel.

Returning to 30th St station later that day I caught Silverliner V #738 on an R2 Warminster Limited at Market East.

To connect to 30th St I lucked out getting one of SEPTA's rush hour push-pull sets with ACS-86 #915. The single level bomber coaches had been done up with SEPTA themed seats.

#915 at 30th St along with cab car #2410.

After the push-pull set, an R6 Cynwyd train followed with single car Silverliner V #730.



With the rise of online booking and eTicks, the staffed ticket counter was looking pretty empty.

While waiting for my southbound Regional, I was surprised to find the FRA office of rail safety private car at the head of a southbound Florida service train.

I'll wrap things up with that bombshell. Next time I'll be back with a trip back down to RF&P country at Doswell, VA.