SEPTA: Philadelphia's Regional Rail Network | Bonus look at the NEW Avelia Liberty | PHL-WIL

Hello and welcome to the great city of Philadelphia and Philadelphia’s Union station! Today we are going to be riding down to Wilmington with SEPTA, Philadelphia’s regional rail network, with a BONUS at the NEW Avelia Liberty!
Previous Video: Is Amtrak's Accessible Bedroom Truly the BEST? | BONUS look at a Roomette on the Capitol Limited: • Is Amtrak's Accessible...
- Train Information -
Train Number: SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line 9241
Locomotive: Siemens ACS-64 908
Train Consist: 1 SEPTA 2, 4 SEPTA 1 Comet Cars (Trailing cab car)
Departure Time: 5:16pm
Arrival Time: 6:01pm
Journey Time: 0hr 45min
Top Speed: 110 mph
Ticket Price: $6.75
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Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed!
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Second Channel: / lonestaryt
- Chapters -
0:00 Intro and Route Overview
0:37 A Brief History and the Main Hall
1:29 SEPTA's 30th Street Station
1:56 Buying Tickets
2:15 Entering the Barriers and up to the Platforms
2:46 The NEW Avelia Liberty! Amtrak's Future of High Speed Rail
3:41 A Railfan's Paradise
4:22 SEPTA 9241 Arrives
4:42 Boarding and Departure
5:01 An Open Door at the Front of the Train
5:30 Stats for Nerds!
6:19 A Glimpse at the True Top Speed of the ACS-64
6:31 Subscribe! And Check out the Patreon!
6:56 Seating Onboard and Limited Seat Amenities
7:49 No Bathrooms on SEPTA!
8:15 SEPTA's Top Speed (With a Catch: Frequent Stops)
8:33 The Three Types of Service
9:02 Amtrak's Wilmington Shops
9:50 Arrival into Wilmington
10:08 SEPTA 9241 Departs
10:23 Acela 2122 Pulls into Wilmington
10:54 Acela 2122 Departs for New York Penn Station
11:17 Outro and Next Week's Video
11:47 Thanks for Watching!
Equipment:
Camera: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Gimbal: DJI OM5
Camera: GoPro Hero 9 Black
Camera: Sony AX-43
Mic: Rode Videomic Pro+
Tripod: Coman DF06 + Manfrotto 502 Head

[@LonestarTrips]

While uploading, I realized I made two errors in the script. 1) I said Philadelphia's "Union" Station in the video, but the station was never known as "Union Station" throughout it's history, having been named Pennsylvania Station-30th Street by the PRR, and later renamed to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in 2014. I had assumed it was another Union Station because of just how many there are on the Northeast Corridor. 2) I mention that the hanging light fixtures in the main hall are chandeliers, which, by definition, they are not. I apologize for these errors, and will do my best to correct them in the future.

[@broyofroyo1207]

It’s okay

[@wolfythewolf4457]

I'm glad you noticed the error, because I was just about to comment about that! We take pride in the fact that it's named differently. 😉

[@tyrese3745]

I usually call it 30th Street Station. I mean, to me, it will always be 30th Street Station. But no worries. No biggie.

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@tyrese3745 I usual y call it philadelphia or when their maybee thirdeth street station

[@YXLMAR]

😂 oh ok I just seen this 🤣🤣

[@ThreePointOneFou]

As a lifelong resident of Philly and someone who has worked at 30th Street Station in the past, I would like to apologize to anyone watching for that ghastly blue train display in the middle of the main Amtrak concourse. The station once had an elegant split-flap display that showed arrival and departure times with a charming flipping sound every few minutes,, but the lunkheads in D.C. thought it an embarrassment, and installed that hideous (and hideously overpriced) thing in 2019. They could have had a new, custom-built display for as little as $100,000, but they went and blew $11 million instead on a system that took at least a year to fully install, and which fits into the station architecture like track lighting on the Mona Lisa.

[@wolfythewolf4457]

I share your feelings about that ugly digital board. Seriously need our Flippy board back right now

[@LonestarTrips]

Oh that must have been an amazing sound. Too bad they went and ruined it with that awful digital display. Is it more efficient and easier to manage than the split-flap? Yes. But was it really worth it? No.

[@MC-bm3cy]

The Flippy was the main attraction!!!

[@joerafferty671]

As a lifelong user of the magnificent 30th Street Station, I would like to thank you for expressing my own disdain for the removal of the original board in the most scathing fashion.

[@ScottRothsroth0616]

The station hasn’t been the same since the change.

[@RaymondTroth-cf3if]

The 'flippy train board'is only on loan to the RRM of PA. There has been talk of bringing it back to 30th St (Gray). I believe Trenton still has one.

[@coryphillips8526]

Hello. Thank you for highlighting Septa Regional Rail. I'm glad you corrected yourself when you initially referred to 30th Street Station as Union Station. I have been on a push pull train by Septa only once. I believe the reason why there is no bathrooms on the trains is because the stations are so close to each other on the majority of the routes. I have been in that car on NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line. Which at one point did have a bathroom. They're disappearing now.

[@brianred8]

The numbering of the tracks is as follows…… The outer tracks 1,2,3,4 go to and come from the west. 1,2 are inbound into Philly, and 3,4 are outbound leaving philly. 5,6 are in the center where 5 is inbound and 6 is outbound, and go to what’s called the Southwest Connection (which are completely separate lines). After it leaves 30th St outbound, it turns left and goes under tracks 1,2. So, basically, 1,2,3, and 4 are part of the same lines, 2 tracks in and 2 tracks out…. Whereas 5,6 are part of the same lines, 1 track in and 1 track out. So, 1,2,3,4 on the same lines, and then 5,6 on different lines make more sense, but because the SW connection leaves from the center…. The tracks are numbered 1,2,5,6,3,4 at the actual station.

[@LonestarTrips]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the insight!

[@newguyontheblock2153]

Correct

[@ylilin]

You're my new favorite railway channel on KZbin. Thank you for all the small details and general information shared in the videos. I also really like your cinematography. Unlike certain other KZbinrs, you actually show what viewers want to see. Also, great sound quality.

[@LonestarTrips]

I’m so glad to hear that. I do my best to put forward the best content I can, and it always makes me feel good to hear someone else appreciates it as much as I do. I’ve always followed the logic of “if I wouldn’t want to watch it, then why should I make it” so I do what I can to put my best foot forward. Anyways, thanks for the kind words, and I hope to see your comments on future videos!

[@kevinb8881]

30th St Station turn 100 this year, crazy!!!

[@drippinglass]

The last Septa cars that had rest rooms were the Budd RDC’s that were run to Bethlehem. The line above Lansdale was not electrified. They ran until 1981. They also used them on the old PRR line to Pottsville I believe. I rode from Lansdale to Quakertown in 1980. There is a 3/4 mile long tunnel in Perkasie on the way that runs under the Ridge.

[@RaymondTroth-cf3if]

Former Reading to Pottsville. PRR line to Reading was damaged by Hurricane Agnes,and mostly torn up or made into a trail.

[@jay-z635]

The tracks are numbered #5 and #6 at upper level #30th st. station because they are numbered from Amtrak's main line Philadelphia to Washington, which before Phil interlocking ,where the airport line joins / diverges are numbered (east to west) 1f-2f arsenal connection , #2 -#3 , to lower level 30th st platforms, #5 from airport line, and #6 from septa west Chester (Media -Wawa) to upper level 30th st. platforms !!!

[@josephj.6478]

Love your travel reports!😁🙌

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed! 😄

[@timectrl]

Very good video!

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks!

[@ajalbetjr]

Thanks for the video @Lonestar ! Btw, every few months I have to travel south on Amtrak and Pass through Philly's station... For the last couple of years I'd seen one Avelia Liberty stationed there, so I knew there was some testing going on.... However, in mid-December I saw THREE Avelia Libertys there, and on Christmas Eve I saw FOUR!!! The testing obviously is ramping up! Can't wait to see them FINALLY in service by... 2024 ***sigh*** SMH.......

[@user-jj1uy5qg6n]

Hello and good morning it is 3 33 am central time I see that you have been to Providence R I Well my friend Providence R I is 18 miles west of my hometown I have been to Amtrak a whole lot but perhaps South Station perhaps more

[@UncleSilverGaming]

Septa's Media/Elwyn line is adding a new final stop this weekend called Wawa station. Any plans on filming a test ride out there?

[@LonestarTrips]

Unfortunately, I am not based out of the Northeast, so I won't be able to get out there for the opening.

[@BensOnTheRadio]

Hey. I know you.,

[@jay-z635]

Nice video ! But why are there 3 brand new Acela train sets setting idle at Amtrak's race st. yard ?

[@LonestarTrips]

The new trainsets are still undergoing testing and validation before they enter service. As far as I know, those trains are either going to be used for future tests, or will be used for training purposes.

[@RaymondTroth-cf3if]

There still there. Major problems, with the track structure and tracking qualities and problems with leaks. They are storing train sets in Olean,NY. Alstom is having financial problems also. Amtrak is stripping 4 out of service Acela's for parts.

[@shawnrush9604]

Outlets are by the exit door at the bottom wall..

[@LonestarTrips]

That explains why I never found them.

[@JeanSavvy]

Which train should take for which sector should enter Pennsylvania

[@dmoney8602]

You should take deez nutz

[@carolking9588]

It is truly sad that the train only goes into Wilmington! Why not Dover, the Capital? Also major universities there! Septa do better!

[@LonestarTrips]

Seeing as Septa is a Philadelphia based system, they don't really have any reason to extend further beyond Wilmington/Newark. I agree that there should be some rail connection between Dover and Wilmington, but that would have to be done by either the state of Delaware, or Amtrak.

[@RaymondTroth-cf3if]

Delaware wants to expand service to Perryville,MD from Newark,DE. SEPTA,is funded by tax dollars from PA,and the surrounding counties and Phila. DE pays SEPTA to run to DE. They paid for 4 Silverliner 5's. DE has no commuter rail agency,just DELDART. They just dedicated a new station in Claymont. DE has never really expressed any interest in rail until about the last 15 years or so. We'll see about expanding service and who will pay for it. MARC from Maryland has never expressed any interest in going to Newark unless it's paid for.

[@PGHammer21A]

Also, no rail service runs in the Eastern Shore except freight - which is why only DART runs between Wilmington and Dover. (However, that run is at least twice daily between the two largest cities.)

[@KJW-Transit]

I don't know why they still call it ACS64 cuz that's not Amtrak City spread to that septa city sprinter

[@YXLMAR]

Its not called union station I'm a Philadelphia native it's called Philadelphia's 30th st station union station is in Washington DC

[@marcinklimas2670]

Numbering of the platforms like in Poland. Left 1, 3, 5, and right 2, 4, 6.

[@pjinnj35]

There is bathroom . It unknown where it is unless your a septa employee. It much smaller then average size.

[@LonestarTrips]

Ah. Seems strange to have one for staff but not for passengers, but it is what it is.

[@pjinnj35]

@@LonestarTrips it about maintence. They don’t want go nssl cldBubg ur.

[@JeanSavvy]

Does train took goes too ambler station

[@KJW-Transit]

Rest in peace, hhp-8

[@dukeonwheels]

Maryland still deploys them for its MARC trains.

[@KJW-Transit]

@@dukeonwheels But in a few years Amtrak is going to give out their ACS64s and I'm pretty sure Mark's going to get some of them

[@dukeonwheels]

@@KJW-Transit I hope so. The Penn line is completely electrified at least between Baltimore and DC, so it doesn't make sense to see MARC still using slower, mostly older diesel locomotives almost exclusively on that line.

[@KJW-Transit]

@@dukeonwheels they still use HHP-8's, their probably going to replace those last few.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

@@dukeonwheels I've read from other YT comments that they limit using the electric locomotives to trains running to/from Perryville

[@RaymondTroth-cf3if]

By the way,someday there will be new bi-level coaches. Someday.

[@ChristianoOwen]

* 30th St Station.....Never Heard of Union Station

[@LonestarTrips]

Please refer to the pinned comment.

[@jay-z635]

Chicago Amtrak's station and Washington's are called Union Stations, guess for Union Pacific railroad. But mostly all stations on the Northeast corridor are named Penn stations by the PRR ,. Phila., Newark (N. J.), even New York Penn, in the heart of Manhattan !

[@daoudak196]

@@jay-z635your forgetting about new haven union station in Connecticut

[@johnburke1317]

Wow no bathrooms

[@davidw1260]

Restrooms are located in the great hall where Amtrak operates; it's just a few short steps away.

[@louieporcarelli2959]

@@davidw1260 where a custodian got stabbed by a homeless person...Welcome to KILLADELPHIA, PISTOLVANIA...THE CITY OF BROTHERLY BLOOD 🔫 💀

[@wolfythewolf4457]

@@louieporcarelli2959 oh no! A major city has crime? How surprising and horrible!

[@LonestarTrips]

Yeah, the lack of bathrooms on board was a surprise to me, especially considering how long some of the routes can be.

[@jameychau9802]

@@louieporcarelli2959 dramatic ass 🤡

[@GIRLRAZR]

I dont understand why u calling it Philly Union Station? Its 30th Street Station!

[@broyofroyo1207]

The Acela is only 20 years not that bad and the mistake is okay she will the incredible content come it is a few months from when you said that

[@LonestarTrips]

The Acela is getting up there in age, and 20 is pretty old for rolling stock, although compared to some of the amfleets that have been in service since the '80s, it really isn't that bad. That being said, there are far fewer Acela trainsets to replace, and the new trainsets will help improve quality of life on the corridor while a replacement for the many Amfleets is found.

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@LonestarTrips yeah and why not do 2 trips a week and not just planes and trains any trip all over the world like Travel with mark, Simply Railway, Dylan’s travel report, and travel alone ideas they do well and they can inspire you as well as showing your Face will help your channel grow next sleep on VIA Rail and soon if you do what I said you should have a lot more subscribers and a hotel trip at Cape Cod would be popular and something I like

[@LonestarTrips]

@@broyofroyo1207 2 trips a week is a lot of work, and I don't have the time to get that done. As for travelling around the world, I am planning on including more international trips, but traveling abroad is expensive, and I also don't have the time to do so. Right now the channel is focused around the US because that's the easiest and cheapest areas for me to access. That being said, I am going to be posting videos from my travels around the Netherlands and some cool flights from Africa, so there are more international videos coming. I should be going to England over Thanksgiving, which should allow me to get some footage from there to post here.

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@LonestarTrips cool and di you know when you will do the ocean traip on vis rail

[@LonestarTrips]

@@broyofroyo1207 I'm not sure. It will likely be sometime next year though.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Such a shame that like with everything else (see also Charger vs Genesis), the new generation Acela is so much more ugly than its predecessor.

[@joshuafajardo5697]

30th also serves the Market-Frankford Line of 🚇 & Routes 🔟, 11, 13, 34, & 36 of 🚋