17-12-27 PHOTOS: SEPTA Mid-Winter Trip XVII

Aw yes, it's that most wonderful time of the year, mid-winter, and that means it is once again time for the SEPTA Mid-Winter trip, now in it's 17th year! Despite being run for almost two decades there are always new places to go on the SEPTA system. This year we would return to Cynwyd, but this time using the new 52nd St connector, instead of the now out of service Valley Flyiver. We would also for the first time take an R5 trip to Thorndale, via Paoli, returning to 69th St with a transfer to the Route 100 at Villanova. To finish things out the group returned through Center City via the MFL, catching a Rt 15 PCC back to the Broad Street Subway at Girard and then proceeding to the North Philadelphia Amtrak station via Fern Rock. All in all it was great weather (if not a little brisk) and we had a pretty good turnout.

You can find the full set of photos here and hopefully they will encourage you to attend the 18th SEPTA Mid-Winter trip on December 27th, 2018.

We begin with a somewhat truncated video from a rebuilt PATCO car of the express run between Westmont and Ferry Ave. The lack of railfan window and conservative use of the horn really diminished the experience.



Unlike most years this MWT did not kick off from Market East, but instead started at Suburban because Cynwyd trains all originate and terminate there. After descending the rarely used track 6/7 stairway, we find single unit SEPTA SL-IV #300 waiting on the platform.

The "new" 52nd St connection actually makes use of an old PRR right of way that connected the Belmont freight yard to the old PRR Schuylkill Valley branch. It also makes use of the existing PAXON interlocking, which was built in 1994 for the Overbrook shoppes project. The connection eliminates the use of the 10mph Valley Flyover bridge that used to carry main track #4 over the old freight yards, but was rendered largely redundant by the same Overbrook shoppes project.

The reason it then took 15 years to simplify the layout was SEPTA's desire to simply close the short 3 station branch line, something that would not be politically possible after a major capital improvement.

After leaving Amtrak territory we enter SEPTA at the rebuilt JEFF interlocking that replaced an automatic controlled point.

Although not open yet, the Wynnefield Ave station was receiving a new high level platform. This is a puzzling choice for the perpetually cash strapped SEPTA that could have probably spent the money elsewhere.

Entering the Cynwyd station on a Restricting signal indication at the new CP-CYN controlled point. This replaces and old PRR position light automatic signal displaying Approach.

Unlike past trips where the train would lay over with doors open at the Cynwyd platform, the crew of SEPTA SL-IV #300 decided to pull into the layup track and make prospective passengers wait out in the cold.

Official group photo for SEPTA Mid-Winter Trip XVII! Gotta take it early before half the attendees bail out ;-)

Front or back, it's still just #300 at Cynwyd.

After riding #300 back to 30th St, we passed a lone passenger boarding for the short hop to Suburban.

Heading back out on the PRR Main Line, this time in a Silverliner V with better photo opportunities! Here we are passing through ZOO interlocking. 

SL-IV's and V's lined up at the SEPTA Overbrook maintenance facility. The backlot hosts an urban art center where SEPTA makes units available for special paint schemes.

Westbound signal bridge at BRYN MAWR interlocking with clear signals on tracks 3 and 4 and SEPTA SL-IV #163 approaching with an inbound train.

Outbound SEPTA deadhead with trailing SL-IV #402 passing in front of the closed BRYN MAWR tower and historic bracket mast.

Encountering an eastbound Amtrak Keystone train with Metroliner Cab Car #9644 at Berwyn.

SEPTA SL-V #831 pulls past PAOLI tower after taking the signal displayed on the temporary 12L mast. The PAOLI station complex is being reconfigured resulting in the old signal/road bridge being retired and the interlocking substantially altered.

PAOLI tower, built in 1896, re-signaled in the 1930's and still open in 2018.

Only every other R5 train heads past Malvern so we waited a headway for SL-IV #438 to show up.

We found our Malvern local with SL-V #831 laid up on the Frazer tail track.

The famous Philadelphia and Trenton truss bridge at Whitford.

SEPTA SL-IV #438 and #289 at Thorndale Station after crossing over all 6 legacy tracks at THORN interlocking.

Westbound Main Line traffic at Thorndale. An Amtrak Keystone with Metroliner Cab Car #9648 and an NS Coatsville freight with SD60 #6707 and Conrail caboose #21201.

The still active THORN tower.

SEPTA SL-IV #438 pulling east out of Villanova with the Milepost 11 PRR signal bridge in the background.

SEPTA N-5 car #131 approaching the Villanova Rt 100 stop.

At 69th St we ran into the Suburban Holiday K-Car, #120.

After lunch at 69th St, we headed east on an MFL train, passing a westbound train led by #1108.

Passing M-IV car #1021 approaching 46th St.

SEPTA PCC II #2320 at Broad St.

Golden hour photo of a Broad St train at Fern Rock TC.

NJT GP40PH-2V #4211 with an Atlantic City Line train passing through North Philadelphia.

Outbound SEPTA R7 with SL-IV #297 passing through North Philadelphia on Tracj #1.

Inbound SEPTA R8 rounding the curve with SL-IV #301.

Amtrak Acela Express power car #2036 blasting towards the setting sun on track #3.

The famous 10 track signal bridge with the now boarded up NORTH PHILADELPHIA tower off to the left. This probably says something about the decline of classic American infrastructure or something xD

Well that's it for this trip. A good time was had by all, even if it was a bit chilly. Check out the Facebook link for updates regarding next year's trip! On, and here's a bonus video from the inbound R7 heading through the old NEC portion of ZOO interlocking up the upper level of 30th St Station.