03-12-29 CLASSIC PHOTOS: SEPTA Mid-Winter Trip III

The third annual SEPTA Mid-Winter Trip took place in 2003.  It was only the second where I had my digital camera and still early enough in the series so that almost everywhere we went was a "first".  That trip's first's included a Route 36 run to Eastwick with a walking transfer to the R1 Airport, followed by a round trip run to Warminster where we had lunch at a nearby pizza place.  Finally it was back downtown via a Broad Street Subway transfer at Fern Rock. Weather was bright and sunny, although a recent snow storm had left a coating of white on the ground that made the Eastwick transfer a little slippery.  You can find the full set of photos here.

The Route 36 was recommended  for this trip because it had a dedicated right of way down the middle of Island Ave on the final leg of the trip.  After we got off at the Eastwick Loop, our trolley looped and rocked out as it had a follower, #9084 shown here, close behind.

This K-car laid up on the loop while the operator went into the small crew base to use the facilities. 

The Eastwick R1 stop is about half a mile away and we got there with plenty of time to spare before the next outbound R1.  The Eastwick station was an infill and had been opened only a year or two before. Here Airport bound  SEPTA Silverliner IV #102 makes a stop on the far track.

 Another former Reading SL-IV, #178, was on the rear.

Heading back towards Center City we passed the closed ARSENAL tower on Amtrak's NEC.

In Center City we changed trains to an R2 and continued on to the Reading side of the system.  Passing though HUNT interlocking I caught SL-IV #289 heading out of Roberts Yard.

 The Wayne Junction station still had a low level platform for inbound and Hill East trains.  An outbound CHE train with SL-IV #382 was making a stop.

At the far end of the high level platform a vintage Reading mast signal had been upgraded with LED lamps.  Unfortunately this signal was replaced by a dwarf to make room for an ADA staircase.

 Another Clear signal at Tabor Jct, aka Fern Rock Transportation Center.

Passing SEPTA southbound SL-IV #277 on the SEPTA Main Line.

Medium Clear signal at JENKIN interlocking.  To facilitate the high speed Philly to New York Crusader trains, "straight" route preference was given to the New York Branch, even though the curvature for both routes is equal.

Before the line was re-signaled a few years later, JENKIN was equipped with a movable point diamond. 

Our train was two-for-two on Medium Clear signals as we are routed down the Warminster Branch at CARMEL interlocking. This flat junction also has a movable point diamond.

 The Warminster Branch had been single tracked with a single passing siding at Grove.

In what was a very common occurrence, SEPTA yard power was having to rescue one of the locomotive hauled trainsets.  In this case Brookville rebuilt SW #50 is rescuing AEM-7 #2302 after the latter was unable to depart its initial terminal for the morning trip into Center City.

Having waited a headway to get lunch, we returned to the Warminster Station to find SEPTA Camera Car #266.  This was a Silverliner II that had been upgraded with cameras to perform track and catenary inspections. 

In the same consist was famous "LVANIA" #218.  This Silverliner II had some of the blanking plates fall off exposing the original PRR letterboard underneath.

Silverliner II #259 had been upgraded with faux leather seats to replace the "ketchup and mustard" style originals. The second order of PRR Silverliner II's had replaced the bathroom with an additional bench seat for 3 passengers.

Traveling to Fern Rock here is a train of B-IV cars departing for points south.

The empty north side ready storage yard.

Entrance to the minor repair shoppe on the south side along with the partly filled southern ready service yard. 

The recently closed Fern Rock tower.

After Fern Rock we proceeded to ride the BSS all the way to the southern terminus at Pattison where two new stadiums for the Eagles and Phillies were going up to replace The Vet.  

We had a bit of extra time so after heading back to Center City we transfered to the MFL to catch the sunset.

The third MWT actually had a special bonus component as I had arranged a tour of OVERBROOK tower for anyone wanting to stay late.  The operator didn't want any photos taken in the tower that day, but I did grab this shot of a passing Keystone service train crossing over from track 4 to track 3.

I was still in Baltimore for grad school at the time and included on the roll were some photos from Penn Station.  Here Acela Express power car #2016 make a stop on its way towards Washington, DC.

MARC GP39-2H #70 hangs out on station track #2 with GP40-2WH #63 in the foreground. Today the WH's have been retired while the 39's still work for MARC on shorter trainsets.

Before MARC weekend service and before the Martin State Airport opened, Baltimore Penn Station tracks were used as a MARC storage yard.  Here we see GP40-2WH #63 on track #5 and #52 on track 3.

Acela Express #2035 on a northbound run passes by MARC GP40-2WH #63.

Well thank you verymuch for reading!  The MWT's are super fun and I hope you can find the time to attend one.