Riding SEPTA SL5 RFW out to PHL Airport and a complete ride back into Philadelphia. 10/20/21

[@scottyerkes1867]

Your knowledgeable commentary is appreciated. I've used this line many times for work as well as rail fanning. Thanks for sharing.😀😀

[@edkammerman2533]

I'm very impressed with your knowledge of the regional railways on the East Coast Thank you for sharing this

[@joedeegan3870]

I wish we had more infrastructure like these rail lines because I think they benefit everyone.

[@MidnightAspec]

I’ll never complain about the slow operation of NJ Transit again. SEPTA seems to corner the market on that one.

[@henryrapoport8608]

Any slower and it.would be going backwards.

[@PhillyBagel]

To create the Airport Line some tight twists and turns were constructed. A straighter route might have been possible but supposedly the Bartram Gardens didn’t want SEPTA trains racing past their property.

[@samuelbennie7690]

I just love the acceleration sound on the Silverliner Vs.

[@jbreezy101]

Much better than the older trains

[@AA_8184_1]

Great video as always! Love the front window view of the regional rail routes!

[@nickcef]

I believe that back in the late '80s, shortly after the line opened, Amtrak used to run trains right in to Philly Airport that would take passengers directly to Atlantic City from arriving flights. I thought it was a great idea at the time, because the casinos in AC were booming back then, but the service only lasted a couple years.

[@loocpoc]

Amtrak had a test train that went to the airport. However nothing was ever set in stone and most Atlantic City trains began in either Harrisburg Pa or Richmond VA.

[@PhilipMulligan]

@@loocpoc

[@PhilipMulligan]

Amtrak was the initial operator of the Atlantic City Line. They DID operate through over SEPTA to the Airport and for a while the AMTK AC Train was an official airline connection to AC. (AC Airport is miles inland and far from the City of AC; the AC RR line goes past it)

[@josephdurning656]

the septa line that turns into the airport was once used by the reading R x R for many years this part of the line was electrified for use of the electric septa passenger cars, the track to the right right before the cut to the airport went to Chester pa, it ran along side the PCT trolley 36/37 that went to Chester, you can still see some of the bridge the trolley and reading train used, going north where the septa train turns the track on the right went north and merge with the Baltimore & Ohio tracks a short distance before it cross the Schuylkill River in to the fright yards.

[@jimpern]

I've ridden this line, which opened during my first stint in Philly, quite a bit. I'd fly into PHL, take this train to 30th Street, and then take a Keystone train (or sometimes the Pennsylvanian) to visit friends in Lancaster. Also, there are some airport-area hotels on Bartram Avenue that are within walking distance of the Eastwick station, so if you're staying there you can still get to Center City by train.

[@mil2k11]

I took the train into Philly Airport one time on a whim. I'm about 30 miles from the airport NE from center city. I had the first flight out to Boston in February of 2004. I woke up at 3:00 AM and got down to the airport by 5am or so. Plenty of time to get thru check-in and such as this was only three years from 9/11 and TSA was really tight. Got on my flight went smoothly. My return trip was for 4pm or so the same day. There was a snow & ice storm in Boston which made the taxi ride back to Logan a bit hectic. Once there, all was good as I hit the Dunkin' Donuts stand to grab a coffee and relax. Flight delayed approx one hours. Delayed again until maybe 7pm. Delayed until 9pm. Delayed once more until 11pm. We finally were able to board at 12:30am. There was such a backlog that the Airbuses were replaced with two 767s to get people moving. I've had my ticket since 3pm and even had to get it updated thru the system twice to show I was still there. I got to my seat and it was taken. USAir gave me and somebody else the same ticket. Go figure. Once everything was settled, we finally landed in Philly at around 1:45am. Unfortunately, Septa wasn't running trains out anymore until the next morning (around 4:30am or so). Talked to two cabbies, but both wanted $50 to take me all the way home. I ended up walking around the airport for two hours until the morning trains were finally back on line. I got the first one and stopped in center city so i could hit my office. Stayed there long enough to email my boss that i'll be late to work today since it's now nearly 6am and I've been awake for over 24 hours. I ended up grabbing the next R3 back home and got into my front door by 8am. It was an odd day, but I never took Septa to the airport again. That's not to say it's not a great option to most people. I just happened to hit a bad day. The worst part of the trip was seeing somebody in my seat in a full 767. They gave me the seat since I was signed in since 3pm and the other person sitting there got his ticket around 7pm. I'm sure he finally got home, but things were just so confusing at the time.

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

After all that, you could have taken Acela to Boston and back in less time.

[@jay5243]

marc rail may not reach BWI terminal but the mta light rail does. It takes you right to the terminal Just an Fyi

[@3985uprr]

That’s true. My emphasis was on commuter rail with that comment.

[@jay5243]

@@3985uprr I understand.

[@wkmpellucid]

The senior transit card is nice.

[@EpicThe112]

If you use what they were around 2008 it Media Elwyn line was called R3 West Trenton Elwyn Line while R5 was the Doylestown Thorndale line. Lastly, the R1 route was Glenside to Philly Airport where your airport train joined was where you have have R2 Warminster, PA Newark, DE line run there. Does anyone here know what year was the tunnel between University City and 30th Street upper level was built I'm guessing somewhere around the 1960s was built? Seems to be a 1950s build to me

[@mattheww2797]

Is it just me or do the Septa trains just creep along?

[@robertgambling502]

The lens was in partial telephoto due to cab space constrictions. That compresses the scene giving the illusion of going slow. You could go to settings and go to playback speed and hit 2X for a faster ride.

[@DeltaFish11]

What is that track at 18:10 used for? Also I see a bunch of new bases assuming for catenary poles

[@mbclev]

At 16:06, I see concrete ties on the track to the right of the one you're on. Will those other tracks get upgraded to concrete ties in the future (like most train tracks in Europe; I would hope that would make for a faster SEPTA commuter rail run)? Those wooden ties look old.

[@dang.5207]

The concrete ties are only used for high speed rail ~100mph very roughly or higher. The wooden ties are still kept up and replaced. Under normal operating most SEPTA trains don’t get super super close to 100 so the wooden ties are perfectly fine. In the future I’d love to see high speed rail in Philadelphia but it isn’t necessary at the moment IMO. (Coming from a career railroader here in the area)

[@bradfordtownley9363]

Not exactly "rapid" transit, is it?

[@Kenny-en7wb]

Controlled Phil interlocking as a dispatcher for Amtrak late 80's before moving on..

[@BRIANDER100]

22:54----where does the track lead to ?

[@jayo1212]

@13:56 They don't take the track to the right? I would think that would be used for going northbound... @17:09 You're definitely gonna have to do a RFW ride on that line when it opens!

[@loocpoc]

The West Chester line is still open and runs trains as far down Elwyn Pa. with an extension going to Wawa PA

[@jayo1212]

@@loocpoc I'd like to see a RFW ride when the extension opens!

[@3985uprr]

@@jayo1212 You bet!!!!!!

[@redarrow5591]

The track to the right is the Conrail Chester Secondary heading towards South Philadelphia; it branches off right as the Airport Line heads up the viaduct. The second turn out is known as the escape track that connects the Airport Main to Track 1 at Phil. It was recently upgraded to allow 30 mph movements when the South Main is out of service and allows for Airport trains to run to the Lower Level of 30th Street. Something to keep a eye on: they're still not done with the Southwest Improvement Project..... There's still plans awaiting funding for a new interlocking been Amtrak controlled PHIL and SEPTA controlled ARSENAL which will finally separate the AIRPORT line from partial Amtrak control. Track 6 will become the new Airport Main and Track 5 will be the connection to the Phi-Wash Main.

[@jameskerner7782]

What's with the re. ason that the train ran slow from the airport to Penn Medison sta.? And what's with the popping noise? Otherwise, I enjoy your video's and the narrations.

[@redarrow5591]

The hand brake weights used to bounce freely around until someone had the idea to put a rubber bumper to dampen the noise

[@thelonelywolf88]

Next time I have to fly out of the city, this will be my mode to get there. I used to drive there, and at least I won't pay a lot of my money to park there

[@robertbeadle8028]

Because the rest of the state subsidizes your public transportation system. Philly isn't paying for this - PA is.

[@MSRTA_Productions]

One of these days you might see C789 going though this line whenever they are working

[@kevinhoward9593]

6:22. Odd thought they were timed to meet at Eastwick? so is your train late? I never understood how if you pay cash on the train, how do you get out of the fare gates?

[@MSRTA_Productions]

The whole line is double track lol.

[@MSRTA_Productions]

Ok maybe I was wrong. The train must leave from the airport before the next one gets close even tho it's double track

[@kevinhoward9593]

@@MSRTA_Productions I know that part. but the Northbound and Southbound trains used to be timed to meet up at Eastwick. i used to work at the Airport and took the train everyday.

[@MSRTA_Productions]

@@kevinhoward9593 Ah ok. Well not all the time it happens if one's late or not.

[@3985uprr]

I think you show the receipt to the attendant at the gate and he let you out

[@merccadoosis8847]

Nice video. Am new to your channel and can readily see that you have excellent content. On your home page please consider giving us some details as to your background so that we may know how you came about knowing so much about rails in Philly and Jersey.

[@BRIANDER100]

8:04 ----what station ?

[@3985uprr]

Eastwick

[@gwynethrachaelcooper1957]

Have you heard anything about Septa opening a route to Quakertown? There's been rumors, but nothing else. I live in Quakertown and my son would be extremely happy if they did.

[@3985uprr]

It could happen but not in the foreseeable

[@jackchen7003]

Lots of twists and turns on this railroad...

[@Toxic-hz8sl]

Why is it going like 10 mph

[@3985uprr]

Speed restrictions at switches

[@nathanjiang100]

you gotta do the cynwyd line someday. very short but also very unique

[@3985uprr]

Service is limited and it would have to be a SL5. During the winter months there is only 1 midday train that I could use and only if it has a SL5.

[@mil2k11]

nice job with the vids!

[@Lansdowne11]

SEPTA isn't breaking any speed records.

[@bradkuether3561]

I could have walked there quicker.

[@jackchen7003]

Lots of twists and turns on this railroad...