Septa SL5 RFW PHL to Cynwyd. Elusive and often threatened for closure service. 2/2/22

[@JoeSmith1962]

That Schuylkill River Bridge you mention at 4:00 is the landmark Manayunk Viaduct. It's most appreciated when driving along I-76. I enjoy and learn so much from your work. Please keep them coming.

[@amjkodaz]

The Cynwyd Line has fascinated me for as long as I can remember! Interesting to see a front seat ride of America's weirdest commuter rail line.

[@viktordubowskii695]

The Cynwyd line fascinated me to. It is an odd line, and I still haven't had a chance to ride the Cynwyd line to this day, because of such limited service.

[@paulwinkfield6560]

Awesome video! I'm a cyclist, and long time model railroader, I bike the trail, stopping for coffee at the cafe, always wanted to ride this line, could rarely meetup with the train to ride into Philly. Now that I'm retired, I'll plan a ride! Thank you! 👍🏿

[@LibertyRailfan]

You're a wealth of knoledege Timothy enjoyed the ride along, not just a great video of a short SEPTA line but a fantastic one!

[@dplberger]

We are to move into an apartment adjacent to the Bala Station. Truly loved this video and the history of this now truncated rail line. Thanks for sharing an educating me about SEPTA Metro.

[@videonut1988]

16:15, WPHL (myPHL17) and their studios are a block away from that station (the studios was formerly an A&P supermarket)

[@gregoryvlassopoulos7612]

The Cynwyd line was part of a much larger network, create originally by the Pennsylvania Railroad as the Schuylkill Valley Branch, a line that let all the way up to Frackville PA to bring in coal from the PA coal fields, albeit the line was built some 50Y after the Reading Railroads main line was built which ultimately owned the coal traffic into the Philly Region. Major freight travelled over this line at one time, including heavy tonnage iron ore trains taking iron ore from the Philly docks to Allen Wood Steel in Conshohocken and other steel mills north and west. Sad so see its rail traffic eventually removed, but great to see the rail trail. Its a wonderful outdoor activity.

[@TeshawnEdmonds]

Cynwyd Line is the SEPTA equivalent to NJ Transit's Princeton Dinky.

[@georgemurphy2579]

But not nearly as busy...

[@wdd6864]

Reading, Pottsville Service was a Reading Service. Came out of Reading Terminal via Norristown using F7s during the Diesel Era with one on each end. Service ended in 1983 due to Septa not wanting to run Diesel Service and funding did not exist. Septa should of revived it to help with Traffic Issues on 76 and 422. Even went to Allentown as well

[@loocpoc]

The majority of the folks who ride this line are lawyers who live in Lower Merion. So every time Septa makes a threat to cut it, these folks get together and basically put septa through litigation.

[@armenborrell]

that has absolutely zero factual basis whatsoever and has never happened

[@johnschall7855]

Ridership on the Cynwyd Line would increase, if they went back to a regular schedule.

[@qjtvaddict]

If they ran frequent service on it they can discontinue the 44 bus

[@chrismoore5249]

I doubt that .

[@rwboa22]

@@qjtvaddict if SEPTA and both Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties were not so short-sighted, they could have built a Park-and-Ride on City Line Avenue and reroute some of the buses that currently begin or end in Philly to originate/terminate at that Bala Cynwyd P&R.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Oh how well I remember this line when it went to Norristown. It was also double tracked. Thank you for the memories😀😀♥️♥️

[@4.9copblank49]

I really enjoyed your video. I grew up in Bala-Cynwyd starting in 1958.

[@AA_8184_1]

It is a fascinating line. Great trails nearby that utilize former rail line rights of way. The former rail bridge over to Manayunk is part of that trail & it’s amazing to walk over it…incredible views all around!

[@viktordubowskii695]

I have taken a ride on every regional rail line in the Philadelphia area, both Reading and Pennsy, even lines that don't exist anymore, with the exception of this line, the Cynwyd line.

[@jimpern]

I was living in Philly when they cut the line back because they said the Schuylkill Rlver bridge was unsafe and too expensive to repair, although It's obvious okay for hiking. I'm amazed that it's still in use, and if they eliminate it, your video will be its permanent record!

[@RSTPhillyrailfan114]

The septa Cynwyd line is my favorite septa line Nice job 👍

[@loocpoc]

Still the best is when Amtrak had a train run all the way to Cynwyd

[@BLAMBERRY]

Yes that guy was an idiot.

[@ozgirl45]

Love this! I have family living a few blocks away from the Cynwyd station and I found it when going for a walk last summer. It’s a beautiful area with a park and a cute restaurant next to the station. It’s also the entrance to a walking trail, I think. This video doesn’t due it justice in winter. I would have taken the train to the city that day but, as you said, there aren’t many trains during the day and it would have been impossible to get there and back. I’m certainly going to do that on a future visit. Maybe I’ll help crank up the ridership numbers! I would think the service would be used more if perhaps it was a little faster. Is the slow speed due to track issues?

[@Ciana214]

Such a beautiful little suburban line. I find myself looking at the line on Google maps all the time.

[@youminholastransit3218]

Wow the Cynwyd line is so fragile now

[@fabianakaizen5647]

1:14 Suburban Station 4:16 Philadelphia - 30th Street Station 15:47 Wynnefield Avenue 18:00 Bala 20:05 Cynwyd

[@RealCrimsonPeach_TSFTWDTFTL]

Here's a suggestion: Have you done the New Canaan Branch on Metro-North yet? The Cynwyd Line kind of reminds me of that branch. Also, I've never been on the SEPTA Regional Rail, but those Silverliner 5's do look pretty awesome, especially if you get to sit in the front seat. I hope I get to ride one when I visit Philly for my upcoming 17th Birthday in April. Anyways, I enjoy your content, and I look forward to seeing more.

[@3985uprr]

I do love those cars. They are common. Get an independence pass and you can ride on them anywhere. They allow you a certain number of rides. As a senior I have a senior key card which allows me to ride for free.

[@PGHammer21A]

SEPTA Regional Rail includes a lot of lines that are still active (the Keystone Corridor, AKA Paoli/Thorndale Line, and the Media/Wawa Line are part of SRR as well). I rode the Paoli Line pre-Thorndale Extension - which was discussed that I know of as far back as 1979. (The Media/Wawa Line was originally the West Chester Line - which predated even me.)

[@obkb1]

Nice cab ride and informative commentary. Thanks!

[@silurian9420]

Interesting video, thanks from the UK.

[@JoeSmith1962]

Parker Truss at 12:15. This is too cool, Mr. RR!

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for the video. Like you I always wanted to ride this line and finally did just before the virus caused the line to be suspended. I was lucky in that I got to ride it while they were still using the 52nd street viaduct and rode over the westbound mainline tracks on the old steel bridge you see where the train curves off the mainline to enter the branch. Like you when I rode the midday train there was only a few people riding outbound or on the inbound ride. One nice improvement I noticed was the addition of high level platforms at the stations except the last one where as you noted there is a platform at the end of the lower level station to serve handicapped passengers. My train also was only one car but was interesting In that it had wrap advertising for Snapple drinks and Acme markets both inside and out. One last comment I have is this run the train was running at very slow speeds. It seems odd since there is no grade crossings or conflicting trains. Unlike you I did not take a video but shot a series of snap shots from the front window going both outbound and inbound. Thanks also for the history on the line. I knew it did at one time serve Norristown but did not know where it continued from there. I thought it may have served Reading since you can see the old bridges running beside Rt. 422 in the Reading area. I found out later that they are still used as a bike/ walking trail.

[@davidng2336]

A view like this is unfortunately not available on the Silverliner V trains that operate on Denver RTD's commuter rail, as they have full width cabs.

[@samuelbennie7690]

I think at one point SEPTA’s was going to be full width. There’s a pic of it actually being full width somewhere.

[@3985uprr]

@@samuelbennie7690 I know about Denver’s cars. They are a bit different

[@chansberry84]

The cynwyd line could be so much more then it is, its a shame that septa doesn’t use it to its potential

[@williammagee8999]

Some details about the Cynwyd catenary system: The catenary structures carry two Amtrak 132,000 Volt circuits and one PECO 230,000 Volt circuit. The circuits continue up the old right-of-way over the bike path toward Norristown. The Amtrak circuits are the east end of two 80-mile feeds from the Safe Harbor Dam on the Susquehanna River (via Atglen, the Harrisburg Line, and the Trenton Cut Off) and provide power to the NEC at Zoo. The PECO line is a major transmission feed for central Philadelphia. So, for trains, Cynwyd is a minor branch, but for electric power, it is an important main line.

[@3985uprr]

I notice around Manayunk on ex RDG line power line towers arc over the rails and catenary is also housed in these towers. How far does that go??

[@williammagee8999]

@@3985uprr Those are the "overbuild" towers built in the late 1920's by PECO. The 69,000 Volt lines go from Manayunk to a substation in Philadelphia near Hunting Park Avenue. The Reading, later Conrail and now SEPTA, also use those towers for catenary and signal power support by agreement.

[@PGHammer21A]

@@3985uprr Which is why electrification of even existing rail lines is a very nasty chore - which I have been VERY consistent in pointing out. Too many folks think it's *easy* - when it would be anything BUT!

[@butth3ad]

would love to see media/elwyn i know it used to be longer so i wonder if there is any interesting history about that

[@nickcef]

Eventually, they're going to connect Philly with Frackville through that Schuylkill River Trail. I've been on some of the trail around Reading. Not the safest trail in the world, especially in that part, but the sites are beautiful along the river.

[@Sampson_Matt_]

You would make an amazing instructor at septa

[@kevinhoward9593]

Had SEPTA realize the bridge wasnt a complete disaster to fix, they probably would have kept the line to Ivy Ridge. 4:28 the train went just one stop and its already late. thats SEPTA for ya.

[@amiranore1707]

I wish we had rail like this in Cleveland Ohio 🥺

[@Stache987]

I wouldn't call that a trail marker, but a headstone.

[@history_leisure]

I’m a Philly native and have never used the lines outside beyond the Paoli/Thorndale line outside the core. I do wonder how a suburban loop line would fair if it could be converted back to mass transit use since SEPTA owns both segments. That might end up hurting the Norristown line, I don’t know

[@mphrdldn]

Years ago, the inquirer reported potential passenger rail service on existing tracks from Downingtown to King of Prussia. Imagine!

[@history_leisure]

@@mphrdldn it sounds more likely now with the new “Metro” system

[@nolantherailfan5048]

We will never let the cynwyd line close

[@3985uprr]

Well, good luck with that because the trains I rode were very muchempty. Of course, that was a midday train. I don’t know how the rush-hour trains are.

[@JohnR-wf2hh]

I hope it doesn’t close! I’d really like to take the train to Cynwyd and hike the heritage trail to Manayunk and take rail back.

[@bobbender2922]

Interesting line.

[@2x.Zy.]

Oooooo what happened to the doyalstown vid tho also u have good content I love ur vids

[@3985uprr]

The Doylestown video is there

[@2x.Zy.]

@@3985uprr o cuz when I clicked it the vid said removed by uploader

[@3985uprr]

@@2x.Zy. I made a new one yesterday

[@Zyir626]

@@3985uprr hey Retired Railfan when will ur next vid be on septa

[@darryllomax8141]

Cool video, you didn’t mention 41st street station did the Cynwood line not stop there?

[@darryllomax8141]

*Cynwyd

[@gregorymontgomery6666]

The Cynwyd line septa R6

[@OmniRoad]

If they continued service to Manayunk and Ivy more people would ride it.

[@waltrogers9974]

Forgot to ask…..how many people were actually on that train the day you shot this video?

[@georgemurphy2579]

Answer: 7:50

[@merccadoosis8847]

Ridership will likely pick up again after this covid crisis is over. Let's hope so, anyway. Thanks for the tour.

[@ronaryel6445]

This station is supposed to be ADA compliant. It is listed as ADA compliant on SEPTA's map. How does a wheelchair rider get on the train?

[@chrismoore5249]

At @20:04 you can see the ADA ramp as the train pulls up to the low station . ADA passengers go up the ramp and the train pulls up to the ramp so they can enter .

[@chrishowell4845]

I think the Cynwyd Line will be discontinued within two years.....doesn`t seem to be feasible to keep it running.....

[@micahbea-taylor414]

Amtrak has to the best middle class teacher Micah

[@amiranore1707]

This train has to be doing 5mph though lol

[@jonathanrinda7171]

It's actually the only Line I never rode. It was nice to see the line from the Front window and hear history from the past. I did picture it for a while it used to go further. Then I said to myself (maybe it's because Norristown/Manayunk Line exists, it doesn't need to go any further. And That line finishes the rest of the route to Norristown already. So why have 2 overlapping from Wissahickon and on west.) from where I live, I can get to Cynwyd faster using 65 than going to center city first then backtrack.

[@kojo1876]

I could walk faster than a septa train

[@deepnation10009]

Cynwyd is pronounced Kin-wuhd. 😁

[@3985uprr]

Sorry. I’m from Long Island but I have heard it pronounced the way I pronounced it. I’ve heard things a lot worse about the way people pronounce some of our Long Island towns. I’ll try to pronounce it the way you suggest but I doubt that I’ll ever ride that line again

[@deepnation10009]

@@3985uprr No need to apologize. I grew up on the Lower East Side. You should hear my accent. I'm a total New Yorker. I know the pronunciations of those towns because I used to visit Philly a lot as a kid and mu cousins would always correct me.

[@GamerRobYT]

I never knew how it was pronounced lol I thought it was sin-wood

[@georgemurphy2579]

@@GamerRobYT No apologies needed. The "Boston Celtics" has been mispronounced since day one. The correct way is with a hard "C." And, we all know that Notre-Dame is pronounced totally incorrectly.

[@rachelgarber1423]

Its Kin-wid as in widow, it’s Welsh

[@waltrogers9974]

SEPTA a could use it’s limited funding so much better than by running trains on this branch.