Philadelphia Market-Frankford RFW complete round trip 69th Street to Frankford Terminal. 11/7/23

[@Khris618]

Nice video, you made it through the try not to get shot challenge

[@jimpern]

When I lived in Delaware County, those "Almond Joy" cars were the only ones I rode on this line. That large building on the left just past Millbourne is on the site of a long-standing Sears store.

[@HMS-sk2gp]

❤

[@captainkeyboard1007]

Thank you for your spontaneous response to my comment. Happy Railroading to you from a [New York City] subway buff!

[@michaelcrolla5445]

thank you for the memories , much has change since the 1970

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

At 46th Street, those were the studios of WFIL, now known as WPVI (6abc). They're now on Monument Ave. off of City Ave. (US 1)

[@agostinodibella9939]

That was a very cool ride. I enjoyed your narration during the stops. I last rode this line in 1985 in the almond joy cars that I grew up seeing alot.

[@TheSonofafrog316]

Been awile since I lived/visited there, get to see a lil of how things look now

[@joesmith8821]

WIsh I would have known you were in town. I work about a mile for 69th street

[@carytodd7211]

Great video. Gives me a chance to experience bug city transit while living in Tucson.

[@Razorgeist]

I grew up next to Tioga station so the El has always held a special place in my heart. Really nice video showing the entire route. You sir are a fountain of knowledge and i have nothing but respect for it.

[@3985uprr]

Thanks I know what I know but I have to do research also when I do these videos. It took me hours to edit this.

[@Gojira160]

​​@@3985uprrI managed to get the front view of an eastbound train from the cab door between 40th and 15th Street Stations.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Great nostalgia. I remember when the line emerged from the subway at 23rd street. Also the different types of cars. Thanks Tim👌💚

[@captainkeyboard1007]

That sounds just like New York City Transit Authority, now New York City Transit. To many railroad buffs and fans, that rapid transit system was known for mixed rolling stock.

[@luislaplume8261]

​@@captainkeyboard1007Especially on the I.R.T. Division the numbered subway lines. I am a New Yorker who grew up in NYC during the Mad Men era of the 1960s. 😊

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@luislaplume8261 That is what my comment pertained to but I am sorry I did not specify the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) in my message. Today, this division is called the "A-Division." Thank you for typing to me.

[@bronxrailfan9827]

I happened to be on the training run to Thorndale. I'm going for conductor, and hopefully, I'll end up as an engineer sooner than later.

[@3985uprr]

That was you I was seeing in the hot seat? You had a moustache

[@dominickwilkinsson6420]

This is me operating from 69th st to FTC

[@3985uprr]

I guess you recognize your whistleblowing style. Was a fun ride. Great job running.

[@frankiedee2024]

I miss working for SEPTA. I miss operating the EL

[@johnjp5883]

This brings back memories, I used to take this daily from 69th street to margaret & orthodox and then back again. I also took what was called the P & W from 69th street to Norristown. Thanks for posting!

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 👋

[@USArailfan2000]

[27:49] SEPTA's Transit elevated Kensington portion can be nicknamed 'The Zombieland Flyover'. So sad! 😔

[@bigdaddyl-rob7445]

Another great video, RRHG! I love when you RFW SEPTA vehicles! Have you ever tried RFWing the Roue 100/Norristown High Speed Line?

[@3985uprr]

I have ridden that, but it’s kind of hard to do that because I like to get up close to get the best results

[@bigdaddyl-rob7445]

@@3985uprr ,understood! Please keep doing what you do! We enjoy your expertise and commentary and I learn something new every day!

[@captainkeyboard1007]

This could not be any better.

[@DMD.The.MeNaCe]

I was born and raised right down the street from the somerset ell stop went to visitation right near Huntingdon I still live in Philly but I haven't been on the ell in years. Memories

[@kingbeywannygamer1926]

I’ll live by Arrott transportation Center sometimes I take that out if I have to go somewhere are you go to the barbershop I get off at Spring Garden and walk down

[@loocpoc]

Bring back the almond joy cars... When going/leaving 69th st from/to Milbourne, you'll notice a creek on the left with some brush. In that brush is the remnants of the Philadelphia and Western (or Pig and Whistle) track which delivered freight cars to the old Sears Milbourne store (now a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia facility). Also a few blocks up from the Erie-Torresdale station is Bachmann trains HQs. If you were to get off at Allegheny and go about 5 blocks north is the former International Hobby Corporation HQs prior to their move to Texas. That yellow/blue building at Church Street is a former movie theater that was repurposed into an adult theater in the 70's to around 2005-06. It then housed a church and I am not sure what is in there now. Just a heads up but only the 66 serves Frankford Terminal (Bridge-Pratt). It's turnaround is underneath the El where it curves to go to the yard. Margaret-Orthodox (Arrott TC) is where you get the 59 and 75 trackless trolley lines. A and B trains along with most express service were done away with on a lot of routes.

[@jayo1212]

I would have thought SEPTA would want to make that property into a park-and-ride lot for Milbourne... Also, interesting, I wondered about where IHC was located...

[@loocpoc]

@@jayo1212 IHC was around B st and Allegheny avenue. Septa probably could of gotten the land where Sears was at for a park and ride but for some reason they didn't. CHOP got the land for dirt cheap and Millbourne is getting income and real estate taxes off the property

[@dennisholiday1868]

I worked with a woman and visited her in the house where the Movie Rocky was filmed. She told me about a lot of stories about the film!

[@3985uprr]

Great Philadelphia movies!!!

[@johnconnolly6011]

Those old Budd cars had no AC. It was brutal having hot air blowing on you. When the new cars arrived with AC I no longer needed to go to center city. I became a car operator. I don't know if having a car today makes any sense. I'm retired at 55 seven years now and I get most of the things I need delivered. Love your videos!😊

[@3985uprr]

Thanks

[@tonymento7460]

It was Dave Gunn who became GM of SEPTA in 1978 he was the that ordered new equipment for SEPTA new subway cars for the Franklin Street Market Street he ordered new Subway cars for the Broad Street line he ordered new LRV’s to replace most of the PCC ‘s he had 50 PCC’s cars rebuild to help out until the LRV’s arrived and to be tested and have the drivers train on them He ordered brand new GM RTS - 2 coaches and SEPTA and Seattle Metro did a joint bid for new trackless trolley bus built by AM General

[@merccadoosis8847]

@RRHG Have you gone back to Philly to ride one of those PCCs? I'd love to see such a video. Thanks for sharing this great ride. Look forward to watching more of your great work.

[@3985uprr]

I will definitely try to get those when they put them back into service on the route 15

[@wadebraxton8597]

Shocked at all the apartment buildings going up in Fishtown and above.

[@lacruz555]

Agreed, the horn on those things is atrocious :)

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

On your Eastbound trip, that was 2nd Street. There is no 1st Street. Check your Eastbound caption. You corrected it on your Westbound trip. The Rt. 66 trackless trolleys operate out of the Frankford Transportation Center. Trackless trolley Rts. 75 and 59 work out of the Arrott Transportation Center at the Margaret-Orthodox Street stop of the Market Frankford Line.. There are no buses with pantographs on them. They are trolley poles. Trackless trolleys were not taken off during the Pandemic. If somebody told you that, they were mistaken. There is a nice mural of a PCC car painted on the wall of the Fifth Street Station. That was the old Rt. 50 trolley that ran from South Philly to Lawndale. The reason the PCC II cars are not running on Girard Avenue yet is because they are still training operators. Of the 18 cars, only six have been rebuilt so far. So at first, it will be a mixture of buses and trolleys on the line.

[@3985uprr]

I never saw any buses with their “trolley poles” up. I was getting mixed stories about that operation Somehow, I believed there was a First Street Station sorry about that, but hope you overlook that small misgiving It took a huge amount of effort to put this together and it seems to be satisfactory to many. If you are the Jeff that I’ve heard from before, I would think you’d be deliriously happy about this head end ride.

[@briantorres7339]

The replacement Alstom trolley cars due in 2027 to replace the Kawasaki LRV’s, all will use pantographs, city and Red Arrow ones. Septa will have the option for more, and unfortunately those may go on the Route 15 Girard Ave to supplement the PCC III.

[@michaelgreene4748]

Just north of the Frankford Transportation Center, there's a provision for an extension of the line which will go underground, to meet a proposed subway under Roosevelt Boulevard at Bustleton Avenue, Roosevelt Blvd., between Robbins Avenue and Levick Street,

[@stephenrichmond917]

You wish.

[@johnconnolly6011]

Social Security building used to be at Front and York st.

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

Also, until about 1955, the MFL stayed elevated to around 23rd St.

[@briantorres7339]

Yes, and was elevated to Arch street before I-95 was built. Also a few stations were moved. 32nd and 36th and Market became 30th snd 34th street when that section was moved underground in 1956, and Spring Garden replaced Fairmount in 1978 when I-95 was built.

[@alcarlson3458]

Building with gold dome on left at 46th street used to be Liberty Mutual Insurance

[@stephenrichmond917]

It was Provident Mutual Life. I once interviewed for a job there as an actuary. Didn't get it.

[@USArailfan2000]

[35:48, 49:10 below] SHORE Interlocking - NJT's Atlantic City Line and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor merge south towards Philadelphia 30th Street Station via ZOO Interlocking.

[@RamikPinchback-t9c]

Riding Aboard On Route 101 In Drexel Hill Pennsylvania In Lansdowne Heading For Media

[@SigmaRho2922]

The M4 trains are slated to be replaced in a few years. Maybe Hitachi could build the M5 cars which would be automated?

[@itssharrlol]

i’m here from the future to confirm that yes hitachi will make the m5s , expected to be here in 2028

[@mattzampirri1592]

Spring garden also a split island station

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

Tioga Street Also was the address of Associated Hobby Manufacturers (AHM)

[@kylesheaff7779]

That’s my home line

[@alanellis5267]

Island platform at Spring Garden.

[@3985uprr]

Faux pas

[@lordsherifftakari4127]

at the assorted stations, switches and curves are located Expansion Joints they allow the continuous Welded Rail to expand or contract without kinking or breaking. important on all railroads and moreso on Elevated track where access is more limited

[@3985uprr]

Thanks for the info!

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

What about the Broad Street Line Express train on the round trip between Fern Rock and Walnut-Locust.

[@3985uprr]

No railfan window that’s satisfactory. I want the very best in order to entertain my viewers.

[@Gojira160]

​@@3985uprrWell, Vegas725 once had a window view on an express train heading southbound.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

The station which is unnamed may be "Somerset." This tour is a great way to see more of Philadelphia that I have never seen before. I see that this line has many slow-speed sections, especially on the upgrade sections. I enjoyed the show that I "had" to watch both ways.

[@3985uprr]

Yes, it was Somerset. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@3985uprr I am pleased to mention that you have a keen knack for detail. That is what railroad buffs and railfans are recognized for such. Thank you for typing to me.

[@evangouldtransit]

46:17 the trolleys do indeed still run, they have a fleet of New Flyer E40LFRs that run those routes. when i head down there I'd like to ride this to Frankford and then one of the trolleys.

[@3985uprr]

Yeah, I didn’t see any vehicles with their trolley poles up.

[@evangouldtransit]

@@3985uprr they were most likely operating in their diesel backup mode. i saw one down there with the poles down.

[@johnconnolly6011]

It's the walking dead at Somerset stop north to Allegheny

[@tlove3840]

Retired rail fan horn guy AKA wine engineer AKA hornsey how do you get around so quick do you have a twin brother

[@3985uprr]

Quadruplets 😀😀

[@RamikPinchback-t9c]

Riding Aboard On Route 102 In Drexel Hill Departing Lansdowne Heading For Sharon Hill

[@frankiedee2024]

Numbered streets west of front street, and lettered streets east of front street

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

Allegheny Avenue was the address of International Hobby Corporation (AHM) before that firm went bust.

[@zazaranger5]

Ah yes the Market-Frankford Line, aka “the homeless express”

[@3985uprr]

I’m afraid so around Kensington

[@Gojira160]

​@@3985uprrThe Market-Frankford Line does run express over the trolleys.

[@harrychest4303]

Can you do the RFW on some trolley routes?

[@3985uprr]

Possibly!

[@johnconnolly6011]

It's the 66 trackless trolley that runs out of Frankford Transportation Center

[@Leonard_Wilson]

I hate to ask this question, but did you feel safe riding the MFL?

[@3985uprr]

Let’s just say that I felt bold enough to ride on it and somehow I felt I would be OK. I most certainly would not ride on that at night.

[@Leonard_Wilson]

Thanks

[@michaellittlejohns7968]

Was u on a 4car or a 6car train

[@3985uprr]

All were 6

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

What kind of horns do the ADTranz M4s have?

[@3985uprr]

@@malachimuhammad-dy2ow I’m not sure but they sound electronic

[@ExpressRailfan]

​@@3985uprrSo, that whistle has a name?

[@RamikPinchback-t9c]

Media Sharon Hill Lines

[@samuellinowski1608]

So Spring Garden isn’t an island platform? Enlighten me

[@3985uprr]

Overlooked that but those are the only underground island platforms

[@colinriddick-ey7jr]

You forgot about the 75 trolley bus too

[@3985uprr]

Admittedly, not very familiar on the trackless trolley lines. I noted the lines at Frankford terminal.

[@stever4899]

32:17 Whoops!

[@davehorner8126]

That mask announcement doesn't apply any more. They just never removed it from the loop.

[@zazaranger5]

Those M-4’s will eventually be replaced by hopefully the M-5’s sometime soon

[@3985uprr]

They’re over 25 years old

[@zazaranger5]

@@3985uprr and they keep breaking down

[@Gojira160]

Unfortunately, the new M-5s will not enter service until 2031.

[@briantorres7339]

@@Gojira160both the MFL and BSL will be getting the new Hitachi cars, the MFL will get them between 2029-2031, the BSL around 2031-33.

[@briantorres7339]

@@3985uprrthe BSL Kawasaki cars are even older, 1981-82, but they are still in very good condition. Well built and since the city owns them, septa sends the maintenance bill to the city.,

[@Septa-f4d]

14:33 Trolley: Haha! You stopped! I win!!! 14:40 Trolley: WHAT!!!!!! FUCKING ATROCIOUS!!!!!! NOT ME!!!!

[@stephenrichmond917]

It's Center City, not Downtown.

[@3985uprr]

Pardon me!!

[@broyofroyo1207]

It looks like they use underunning third rail

[@evangouldtransit]

they do. and broad gauge track.

[@broyofroyo1207]

Nice

[@isleman9473]

Metro North is the other underrunning third rail.

[@albertcarello619]

@broyofroyo1207: Definitely. Where as the CTA uses a 600 Volts DC Overrunning 3rd rail. The Market -Frankfort L I believe uses a 750Volts DC under running 3rd rail.

[@luislaplume8261]

Underunning covered 3rd rail is the best way to prevent snow and ice accumulation during winter. I would advocate it.

[@ANTHONYVONAJR]

I really wish the Broad Street Subway was filmed properly with the camera shooting from the front window instead of side windows! ad recording the entire ride from Patterson to Fern Rock that be awesome! BSL is my fave subway ever ! its close to my heart!

[@3985uprr]

If it was like the market Street subway with the rail fan windows, I would have done it. I don’t like taking substandard cab ride videos. I want to show more of the railroad instead of the interior of the train.

[@ANTHONYVONAJR]

I agree and yes just like the MFL video that would be awesome! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ! @@3985uprr

[@briantorres7339]

@@3985uprrthere are septa operator made RFW video’s of the BSL Express, the BSL Ridge-Spur and the 13 trolley from the 40th and Woodland portal to 13th and Market.

[@MargaretLeber]

"Title Text Here" for Somerset. :-)

[@3985uprr]

Twice. What is it about Somerset that I can’t handle? Thankfully, the rest of it was fine.

[@philnaegely]

frankln sq is easier to get to from 5th and market

[@kingbeywannygamer1926]

OK no offense but we don’t care I’m trying to here to el Announcement

[@ConstContact]

Call me stupid but I wasn’t really paying attention. You mentioned something about being in the favourite of driver and for some reason I think those chocolate bars of almond joys got nuts and mounds don’t.

[@luislaplume8261]

The late actress and comedienne Judy Carne made those TV commercials for Almond Joys in the 1960s. I remember them well. 😊