Secrets of the Cynwyd Line (feat. Classy Whale)

[@ClassyWhale]

Honored to join you for this adventure! Hope to see more Septa secrets on here soon!

[@spacepeanut]

Was an absolute pleasure.

[@MilesinTransit]

This is very well-edited! I thought the repartee between the voiceover and your real-life self was funny and unique, that angle could be worth exploring more in the future.

[@spacepeanut]

I really appreciate the advice! I'm definitely in the process of trying to find a good balance between voiceover and on-camera commentary (the latter being your primary style). I originally studied Geoff Marshall's "Secrets of the Underground" series for inspiration (hence the name of this video), and I loved how he did a delicate mix of both. Some shots were him in the station talking about what he's doing or seeing, while others were just footage of trains or map animations accompanied by voiceover. One of the issues I found when editing this video is that I hadn't filmed enough on-camera commentary to truly emulate that style. When I filmed the video, I think I was hesitant to do real-time commentary because I thought it would look or feel awkward, but that ended up biting me in the back as I had to spend *a lot* of time recording voiceover. A lack of on-camera commentary also means I missed out on the magic that human interactions (like between me and Caleb) can bring. Probably as a result of that, this video unfortunately has very little Caleb in it. However, I do really like the way I can do interesting things with voiceover. Fourth wall breaks, different characters, additional information, etc. I've also already got myself a decent mic for recording it with. I think my least favorite part is writing the script, though. Reminds me too much of school work lol.

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for the video. I finally got to ride this line after I retired. Since it has such limited service it’s hard for the casual rail fan to get to ride this line. I made it a point to ride it just before SEPTA abandoned the old bridge that carried the outbound trains over the Westbound main line tracks serving the main line stations on the Harrisburg line. They now divert using a surface line to connect to the old line out to Cynwyd. This line is always one they always propose abandoning but it always seems to survive. If it had more frequent service it may do better since there is a lot of residential and commercial buildings near the stations as well as connecting bus lines.

[@Stuntpilot22]

Thanks for featuring me and my footage in this! It was great to meet you both.

[@spacepeanut]

Great to meet you, too! Maybe we'll cross paths again someday.

[@Token_Nerd]

I absolutely hate how the intro just as easily applies to the Chestnut Hill West Line.

[@JeffersonLeeEng]

Heck...Fox Chase Line is just as bad...

[@milkshoes433]

I didn't know philly could look so quaint, or that it had such an extensive (relatively at least?) transit network! Great video keep up the good work!

[@jimlewis5198]

We have a very intensive regional rail system and a lot of quirky legacy streetcar lines and raid transit (like the Norristown High School/P&W). Great place for transit enthusiasts to check out!

[@andrewbarnum5040]

Thanks, I love learning about old trains around the Philadelphia area.

[@MarkWaller2]

Thanks for posting: informative and entertaining. This is another corner of the SEPTA system I hope to get to some day, so it's nice to get a preview. The trail on the old route looks quite tempting for a walk too. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@stephenhandrailronin1060]

Added history, the line closed in the 90’s and was lobbied open by the area public, unknown to most at the time 2septa GM’s lived in the area and rode the line and was VERY influential in its reopening, fun fact, track speed use to be 70 mph in some places

[@trainsdestinations3960]

Surprised to see the nice upkeep of the stations considering this line has been threatened with abandonment for years.

[@AA_8184_1]

Just found your channel from your collaboration with Classy Whale. Love it! The Cynwyd Line is a favorite, & the trail/path over the Manayunk Bridge is amazing. Look forward to checking out your other videos. (Also: Very well done in terms of quality and production!)

[@adammitry6011]

Great video. Rail/bike rider here too. It's a shame SEPTA doesn't have the funding to properly run a railroad.

[@Iandmacb]

From 8:37 to 9:01 would make a great tiktok. Glorious.

[@benjaminfriedman9107]

I used this line to commute to Philadelphia

[@jamallhayden2512]

Thank You!

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

Awesome video!

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

You do great work, man

[@blue9multimediagroup]

Cynwyd does leave the city as soon as it enters Bala Station.....

[@CaseysTrains]

Techinically but Bala Cynwyd knows it secretely a Philadelphian neighborhood.

[@adammitry6011]

@@CaseysTrains Actually, Blue is correct. That's Lower Merion.

[@vavin6927]

🚂

[@cynthiapeller2195]

How’s about a walk about tour of the new Wawa station? Thanks.

[@spacepeanut]

Check out the playlist linked in the description for more Wawa videos from my friends!

[@qjtvaddict]

It should be turned into an express bypass for express trains

[@djpetesake]

Couldn't they just have poured more cement on the low level platform to make it high level?

[@QuarioQuario54321]

I would turn this into a subway line using BSL like equipment but still on AC power

[@spacepeanut]

I personally think it would work best as a LRT branch of the Lancaster Ave trolley. Would also love to see it go as far as Manayunk again. Direct and easy access to Manayunk and the northwest suburbs from West Philly is lacking.

[@qjtvaddict]

@@spacepeanut or an express only service for the norristown line close cynwyd and expand Bala add transfer to the 10 LRT

[@Joeofsam]

Nice vid :)

[@Splenda257]

It would be great if the entirety of the Cynwyd line was converted to a bike trail.

[@blue9multimediagroup]

Not to the ppl that live out there....

[@kenb4461]

If it helps, Montgomery County has plans (and $640K in funding) to extend the bike path for half a mile along the Septa right of way to City Ave. The City of Philadelphia has plan (don't know about funding) to extend it from there to 52nd and Parkside, where it can connect with existing trails in Fairmount Park. See the Lower Merion Parkside-Cynwyd plan PDF here: www.lowermerion.org/departments/parks-and-recreation-department/master-plans-improvement-projects-and-studies/cynwyd-heritage-trail-master-plan-update

[@joeynova3550]

It would be great if they replaced the the bike trail with a railroad, the way it should be.