30th Street Station in Philadelphia

Come Sail with The Philly Captain as he takes you on a walk around 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. 30th Street Station, officially William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, is an intermodal transit station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the metropolitan area's main railroad station, and is a major stop on Amtrak's Northeast and Keystone corridors. It doubles as a major commuter rail station; it is served by all Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Regional Rail lines, and is the western terminus for NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line. It is also served by several SEPTA city and suburban buses, as well as buses operated by NJ Transit and intercity operators.
The station, which served more than 4 million inter-city rail passengers in 2018, is Amtrak's third-busiest, after Penn Station in Manhattan and Union Station in Washington, D.C.,[8] and North America's 12th-busiest train station overall.
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[@CeilingFanVideosOnYT]

The bar in 7:05 used to have ceiling fans until after it permanently closed. I have all of the ceiling fans that were there. I got first one in 2017 when it was replaced with a newer one, then when it closed, I got the rest and the replacement one. So I have 5. All 4 original plus one replacement.

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

You are my favorite person on KZbin.

[@heatherharper3406]

I think its art deco by the looks of the lamps and windows. These stations really had soul, powerful, stunning, when America had immense pride and joy for life and progress. Classic. How the light comes through the windows like a painting, wow, what's wrong with us these days??? What happened? Thanks, Captain....

[@m.b8106]

Art Deco..... One of the nicest designs ever made. Amazing station! Philly is one of the most wonderful cities, I think.

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

You're right it is

[@realestateunplugged6129]

Where are some nice places to walk around in Philadelphia city or suburb? I recently went to the city center, independence hall and rittenhouse, all very beautiful! But man, ghetto looking war zones elsewhere. So, where ELSE do you recommend for nice homes, walkways, parks, sightseeing or even shopping? I want to show my lady a nice time. Thanks!!

[@L33tSkE3t]

@@realestateunplugged6129 Philadelphia actually won a 2020 Time Magazine of 20 places worldwide to visit and aside from the Grand Canyon, was the only American destination on the list. It has so many incredible parks, Dilworth Park which was recently redesigned in 2014, Franklin Square, Logan Square, Rittenhouse as you mentioned, Washington Square, Fairmount Park, FDR park, The Philadelphia waterworks, Independence national historic park which includes the 18th century card in a rose garden magnolia garden rush garden and Franklin Court. Schuylkill yards in University City, Wissahickon Valley Park, Race Street pier and Cherry Street pier, Pleasant Hill Park, Spruce St., Harbor Park. Schuylkill River waterfront parks why Bartrams Garden, Penn park, Cira Green, Love Park And the rail Parker all beautiful. Philadelphia is in a period of great revitalization right now with the Schuylkill yards project and the Bellwether district being built. Just go to visit philly.com and there are great resources on where to go and there are many awesome locations on there. One liberty observation deck is pretty awesome with a Skyview of the city. The JG sky high at the four seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center is incredible and has a lounge bar and restaurant and offers the highest view 360° of glass to view the entire city from the highest point one can stand in the state of Pennsylvania. Oh and check out Society Hill, it has great classic revolutionary era architecture

[@realestateunplugged6129]

@@L33tSkE3t Thank you for the reply! I saw a lot of beauty, but I also saw a war zone of ghettos that blew me away. I'm no better than ANYONE, just kind of pissed off that I haven't done better to help (as best as I can) these folks that need some spark, some help, some honest options, some truth. Help them get up towards the middle or to a better reasonable life condition. Thanks again, Philly is very beautiful and interesting and I've only gotten a few small tastes so far!! ❤✌

[@prushimush]

I'm often there taking the SEPTA R2 up from Delaware and getting an Amtrak transfer, I just took this trip last Sunday. It's not nearly that empty during normal times, and the lost luggage area is usually not cordoned off, it's got some extra bathrooms back there and a nice mural. The station is an architectural treasure and is the nicest stop on the Northeast Corridor - it's an Art Deco style building, which is most often associated with NYC, but you can find it a few places in Philly, the old WCAU Building on Walnut St. above the Old Navy in Center City is another example of Philly Art Deco.

[@Pinerocks]

American stations are just so grand, pity I missed this when I was in Philly. 👍🏼

[@rjd8210]

The energy in there was magnificent, loved its vibe. Between the structure itself and the hustle and bustle of the people it was electrifying. I hope that business has picked back up again in 2022. This quietness was sad to see. But, honestly the last time my daughter and I ventured through there was pre-pandemic, too.

[@janderson6257]

Years ago I visited Philadelphia and was dropped off at the 30th Street Station. For a moment I was so disoriented by the unexpected grander of the interior that I thought I had been transported to the Civic Opera House in Chicago, also designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White. Both are magnificent.

[@himbourbanist]

Entering the city like a God. Incredibly gorgeous station

[@janderson6257]

Indeed, and wish I didn't misspell grandeur.@@himbourbanist

[@wampuscat7433]

Magnificent building built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The grand edifice was constructed with private money, imagine that! I love this place. Lotsa memories here.

[@himbourbanist]

what an incredible train station. Beautiful architecture for a beautiful city. Love Philadelphia so much. Also the building itself is of Neo-Classical design (large columns, big white stonework) with a lot of the detail work being Art Deco. One of the last of the great train stations in the US

[@steveclark1142]

I always tell people that take regional rail that it really is night and day difference with the El & subway.

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

a whole new world....

[@prushimush]

It really is. I ride the Wilmington line(the old R2) from Claymont, DE sometimes and it goes straight through Chester - a pretty distressed area - and even on those stops people are quiet and keep to themselves. It takes about 40 minutes to get into the city from the very northern tip of Delaware, which isn't bad - beats rush hour during normal times.

[@bob4364]

Also 30th St station as you know as well, was part of the movie scene for Trading Places back in the day...Ok sailing on to your next video on Suburban station...

[@ln5321]

30th St station really has some nice art deco architecture. They really don't make buildings like this anymore. Things are built in such plain, utilitarian styles now. Nothing has any character.

[@deaconmichael4255]

Philly Captain. Your're the best. My hope is visiting Philly in the future and all attractions there. Stay least a week.

[@faupsy1012]

I have never been there until this video. Thanks Cap'n!

[@madamx7422]

I'm proud to say that i work directly across the street from there, at the former post office building - i would always go there for lunch, then Covid closed a lot of places, so the food court there is not quite as packed as it was before, though it still has a few places. Glad there's still Old Nelson...

[@bob4364]

Hey Philly Captain, happy snowy Thursday...Ok enjoyed your walk tour video of 30th St station..At least a clear sunny one from the other day...Interesting stuff...Ok keep on a tracking and TOODLES on..

[@donnelladams8362]

I love this station

[@steveclark1142]

It's a damn shame alot of the places in there are still closed.

[@lawrenceacosta8644]

I miss Au Bon Pain. I always got coffee there when I worked on the 2nd floor,4th,5th and 8th floors. Years ago. The food truck vendors across the street by the giant post office and the bar across street( employees weren't allowed to drink on property or didn't risk being drunk on property)

[@henriettajones3740]

I miss 30th Street. I haven't been through there in years. It would have been nice to see the SEPTA part of the station upstairs too. :)

[@RCAvhstape]

Jersey Mike's has one thing going for it: outside of the Philly region it's one of the few places where you can get a cheesesteak that doesn't completely suck. It's not nearly as good as your corner deli in Philly or Camden, but it's edible.

[@RCAvhstape]

That sucks they took the flip board down. Last time I was there, pre-pandemic, it was still in use.

[@e.l.norton]

Seeing this it always nauseates me that they tore down New York's Penn Station. Absolutely infuriating.

[@dragonknightofamiraka3636]

Lol The new Moynihan Train Hall epitomizes your frustrations I bet. NYC growing faster than it’s residents can appreciate it’s history. Hold this L NYC.

[@CenterMassContent]

Penn Station's demolition AND Disposal(at an NJ Landfill) was a criminal act imo. Crime against the American people(not just New Yorkers, World travelers who came through would marvel at a "Palace of Transportation" So sad the loss of a 'cultural touchstone', a point of National pride, such incredible architecture. Thats why i think of its loss as a crime against the people, inluding cultural & structural destruction. A crime against everything but nature, one of the most regrettable blunders in the history of architecture.

[@dylanjonhson3302]

My after-video comment: They do close up some of those boutique shops later in the evening, but that place was always busy during the day, especially in that narrow hallway where all of those vendors were. Looks like getting rid of all the seating in the atrium at 8:12 probably didn't help either, Pizza Hut was over there. There was a sports pub on the right corner 7:03 had a pretty good presence too and was pretty lively, pretty easy to see how they didn't make it. Honestly not shocked that the chains are still there like Wendy's, they have such an efficient and scaled operation they can probably survive on a fraction of what those mom and pop stores can. Also Regional Rail you have a different group of people/class riding. Location of commute, cost, etc. aside, not trying to make it a race thing...but like 95% of the people I saw daily on the train were white and middle-aged, with a decent senior presence during the midday. If someone has loud music on, somebody tells them to turn it down. You can get tons of work done in quiet on the train, even during the rush hour commute. I take it that is not common on the subway.

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

Young Dylan...............I was were you were

[@dylanjonhson3302]

@@ThePhillyCaptain *where

[@dylanjonhson3302]

Could you imagine walking around doing whatever and bump into the Philly Captain filming something? Probably wasted at-least a few hours of my life standing at that exact spot where you start the video.

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

There are a lot better things to imagine.

[@johnchambers8528]

Nice overview of 30th street station. I live in the suburbs and ride both regional rail as well as the bus and subway. As you noted the regional rail is nicer and faster to get to center city. The area you saw that was somewhat closed off is usually open but they occasionally use this area for special events. So there may have been something scheduled for later. The number of stores open does vary by day and time with most open at lunchtime however due to the virus and the reduced number of people going through the station many have closed permanently. Years ago there was a direct stairway and escalator that connected with an underground concourse that served both the El and trolley station at 30th street. But due to the cost to maintain it and the lack of security it was abandoned. By the way where you showed the stairway down to the Amtrak and NJ Transit trains you could go down and look at the platform on track one due to it being used exclusively by NJ Transit. All the other stairways are Amtrak only and you must have a ticket for the train expected on that track to access it. As noted by others this station was built in the 1930’s and is of the Art Deco style. I have traveled over most of the country by train and there are not many older stations like this left due to the reduction of the number of trains using the stations and due to trying to reduce cost Amtrak relocated to smaller new built stations. We are lucky being located on the northeast main line there is still plenty of train traffic through Philadelphia.

[@steveclark1142]

They're closed because of the pandemic, they been closed for a while now. Some of the places tried to re-open for a little while then closed down again.

[@steveclark1142]

Movies that were filmed in there. Blow Out & Witness

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

Trading Places

[@prayerministry7107]

Post COVID conditions 😢

[@bob4364]

I am glad you found a better more comfortable experience riding the regional rail than the EL..As far as with the loud noise and other nasty habits by certain people that don't care when boarding the EL...

[@kevinhoward9593]

When the station first opened there was a train coming or going every i think 3 minutes. Now its like once every 2 hours.

[@waynecopple385]

Not true at all. There are way more trains than that. I would not be surprised if there are not more trains now than when it opened!.

[@kevinhoward9593]

@@waynecopple385 i highly doubt that. The Station doesnt even use all the tracks it has under the station. Amtrak typically only use 4/5/9. cs.trains.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-11-15/4075.Amtrak30thSt2010.jpg. just TWO tracks are gated. I doubt PRR only used 2 tracks. They wouldnt have built 10 tracks just for storage.

[@hmpz36911]

How long ago was this filmed? That cafe is never open.

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

2 weeks ago. I filmed at 10 am

[@hmpz36911]

@@ThePhillyCaptain Thanks

[@prayerministry7107]

In NJ we eat subs 😊

[@bob4364]

Philly Captaiin, besides in your description serves too, the station also serves the subway surface trolleys that travel between Center city to W to SW Phila...Like our EL, they too have free transfer interchanges like at City Hall Station as well...

[@matthewburden9403]

Sorry, you no longer can access the underground passage from 30th Street Station to the Subway lines at 30th & Market. You can, however, pick up the subway lines when taking the commuter train to the underground Surbaban Station and further to Market Street East.

[@lawrenceacosta8644]

free rides to/from center city. They also have a very convenient airport line. If you lived anywhere in or around city or on regional lines you could catch train,or el to 30th street then take airport line straight to the terminals.

[@roscoejenkins8930]

Hope your not still smoking k2, your better then that

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

I have gone 3 days without smoking k2. I am now smoking k3.

[@ianslass]

What a fun video! We have Jersey's Mike's here in Mission Viejo...S. Orange County, CA. My friends wet their panties over these "subs." My brother likes the place but says there is nothing like a real hoagie from Philly. We also have a place here called "Philly's Best," started in the late 80's by a couple from Philly. When they opened a store near us, it was great...real steak sandwiches, real hoagies...everything flown in from Philly and they ran it. Now that it is franchised and you know the people who work there know squat about Philly and you know the quality has dropped as the food it not the same...you might as well go to Subway, it's less expensive. Bummer... PS: I love train stations...my first ride was right there with my Mom. We were going to NYC. My last one, as of 2013...my Husband and I were going from London to Edinburgh, Scotland. When we lived in London in the early 90's...it was all about King's Cross Station and the next trip! Oh...and the flip board! I loved to hear it flip and seeing our train! Now...it is no more---all electronic. :(

[@bob4364]

About your other ? on the businesses closing, I haven't been to 30th St station in a long time but my guess it could be due to the pandemic or just bad economic times...

[@92174164]

Haven't been there since coming home from jail

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

Happy memories!

[@AweShiyte]

*rants about a guy from Jersey calling Hoagies subs* *Me who realizes they're both wrong and calls them Heroes*

[@bradpittiful7288]

hog island sandwich over a sub or hero anyday

[@MrSpacejase]

I cant walk through this place.. Agoraphobia!

[@ThePhillyCaptain]

Oh no that a tough one. Get out now before everything opens

[@galaxy5086]

this was not built by our civilization. we could never build something like this.