Manayunk/Norristown Line

The Manayunk/Norristown Line is a commuter rail line in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the 13 lines in SEPTA's Regional Rail network.

Manayunk/Norristown Line
A Manayunk/Norristown train at Main Street station
Overview
StatusOperating
OwnerSEPTA Regional Rail
Line numberFormerly R6
TerminiPenn Medicine
Elm Street, Norristown
Stations16
Websitesepta.org
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemSEPTA Regional Rail
Operator(s)SEPTA Regional Rail
Rolling stockElectric multiple units
Daily ridership9,839[1]
Technical
Line length18.1 mi (29.1 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationCatenary
Route map

12.3 mi
19.8 km
12.3 mi
19.8 km
DOY
Lansdale
closed
DOY
Kneedler
closed
West Point
closed
Acorn
closed
Belfry
closed
Custer
closed
Hartranft
closed
Hospital
closed
18.1 mi
29.1 km
Norristown-Elm Street
Marshall Street
closed
17.7 mi
28.5 km
Norristown-Main Street
12.3 mi
19.8 km
12.3 mi
19.8 km
Pottsville
closed
Auburn
closed
Hamburg
closed
Mohrsville
closed
Leesport
closed
Birdsboro
closed
Pottstown
closed
Royersford
closed
Phoenixville
closed
Valley Forge
closed
17.2 mi
27.7 km
Norristown Transportation Center
Mogees
closed
Ivy Rock
closed
13.5 mi
21.7 km
Conshohocken
12.3 mi
19.8 km
Spring Mill
Zone
3
2
10.7 mi
17.2 km
Miquon
Shawmont
closed
8.4 mi
13.5 km
Ivy Ridge
CYN
former service
to 30th Street Station
7.6 mi
12.2 km
Manayunk
6.4 mi
10.3 km
Wissahickon
Lincoln Drive
and Wissahickon Creek
Zone
2
1
5.5 mi
8.9 km
East Falls
4.0 mi
6.4 km
Allegheny
CYN
2.9 mi
4.7 km
North Broad
Zone
1
C
2.1 mi
3.4 km
Temple University
0.5 mi
0.8 km
Jefferson
0 mi
0 km
Suburban Station
0.9 mi
1.4 km
30th Street
MFL
1.8 mi
2.9 km
Penn Medicine
ELW

Route

The route originates from the Center City Rail tunnel, and the two-track line splits off from the "SEPTA Main Line" north of North Broad Station. It then goes through Philadelphia's East Falls and Manayunk neighborhoods and Conshohocken before reaching Norristown. At Norristown Transportation Center, commuters can transfer to regular SEPTA surface buses or the SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line to 69th Street Transportation Center. From Norristown Transportation Center, the electrified line follows the single track Stony Creek Branch to terminate at Elm Street, while the double tracked main line continues to Reading. The Reading main west of Norristown currently carries no passenger service, and is owned and operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway as its Harrisburg Line. Beyond the terminus of the Manayunk/Norristown Line at Elm Street, the Stony Creek Branch continues as a freight line operated by CSX Transportation and the Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad to Lansdale, where it ends at a junction with SEPTA's Lansdale/Doylestown Line just south of Lansdale station.

As of 2019, most weekday Manayunk/Norristown Line trains terminate at 30th Street Station or continue to various destinations such as Elwyn on the Media/Elwyn Line and Marcus Hook or Wilmington on the Wilmington/Newark Line. Most weekend Manayunk/Norristown Line trains continue to Elwyn on the Media/Elwyn Line.[2]

History

The Manayunk/Norristown Line was the Reading Company's Norristown Branch from Philadelphia to Reading, Pennsylvania. Electrified service to Norristown and Chestnut Hill East began on February 5, 1933.[3] Steam (and later diesel)-operated intercity services continued to operate beyond Norristown. By the 1960s Budd Rail Diesel Cars handled most of the Reading's diesel services, although the Reading's EMD FP7 locomotives, displaced from the Crusader, saw regular use on the Philadelphia–Reading run.[4] SEPTA discontinued services beyond Norristown on July 26, 1981.[5]

Between 1984–2010 the route was designated R6 Norristown as part of SEPTA's diametrical reorganization of its lines. Manayunk/Norristown Line trains operated through the city center to the Ivy Ridge Line (later Cynwyd) on the ex-Pennsylvania side of the system.[6] The R-number naming system was dropped on July 25, 2010.[7]

Early in 2013, SEPTA began to undertake major operational improvements and physical rehabilitation on the Manayunk/Norristown Line. Central to this project is the replacement of the 80-year-old wayside automatic block signal system with one that displays only in the operating cab, and operates in both directions on both tracks, thereby allowing greater operational flexibility. Two new remotely controlled interlockings are being constructed to facilitate bidirectional operation, one at Miquon, the other in Norristown between the main station and the Ford Street crossing. An electrified storage track is also being constructed at Miquon to allow for temporary turnback of trains at that station, as the line is periodically subjected to flooding from the Schuylkill River around Spring Mill and Conshohocken. Ongoing replacement of the line's overhead catenary, most of which is 80 years old, will continue along with the signal replacement. Also occurring in conjunction with these projects are the replacement of crossties, renewal of grade crossing surfaces, and trimming of brush and trees alongside the right-of-way.[8] The entire program is scheduled for completion in fall 2015, tying in with the FRA-mandated nationwide implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) on American railroads by the end of 2015.[9]

SEPTA activated PTC on the Manayunk/Norristown Line on August 15, 2016.[10]

On April 9, 2020, service on the line was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[11] though Temple University and North Broad stations were still being served by other rail services. Service resumed on June 28, 2020.[12]

Proposed extensions beyond Norristown

Like the Cynwyd Line, the Manayunk/Norristown Line was slated to become part of the planned new Schuylkill Valley Metro, but was to serve the King of Prussia mall complex and the former Pennsylvania Railroad's Trenton Cut-Off line to Frazer, Pennsylvania. This was referred to by planners as the "Cross-County Segment." An extension of the Manayunk/Norristown Line, called the Norristown Extension, to Wyomissing was later proposed, with funding to come through new tolls on U.S. Route 422.[13][14]

As of mid-2018, the borough of Phoenixville is studying the restoration of SEPTA train service by extending the Manayunk/Norristown Line using old Reading Line track past Norristown, currently used for freight trains by Norfolk Southern along its Harrisburg Line.[15] In 2018, a panel led by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance pushed for an extension of the Manayunk/Norristown Line to Reading, with service terminating either at the Franklin Street Station in Reading or in Wyomissing. The proposed extension would utilize existing Norfolk Southern freight railroad tracks. Before service can be implemented, a study would need to take place.[16]

In 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) finalized a study on the feasibility of extending passenger train service from Norristown to Reading along the Norfolk Southern freight line. The proposed extension is projected to cost $818 million, which includes buying the trains and paying Norfolk Southern to use the line. The service is projected to have an annual operating cost of between $18 million and $25 million. Stations will be located in Reading (Franklin Street Station), Birdsboro, Pottstown, Royersford, Phoenixville, Valley Forge, and Norristown (Norristown Transportation Center); from where the train will follow the existing Manayunk/Norristown Line to Philadelphia.[17][18][19] As the section between Reading and Norristown is not electrified, the service will either require dual mode locomotives or the extension of electrification beyond Norristown in order to provide a one-seat ride between Reading and Philadelphia; another option would be to operate diesel-powered trains between Reading and Norristown that would offer a transfer to electric-powered trains at Norristown for service to Philadelphia. In addition, a third track would need to be constructed between Reading and Norristown in order to accommodate both passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The proposal calls for between 6 and 9 daily round trips to Reading and has a projected weekday ridership between 3,400 and 6,400 by 2030.[19] Following the PennDOT feasibility study, a feasibility study by Norfolk Southern needs to be conducted and the proposal needs to be added to the PennDOT rail plan, which would allow for Federal Railroad Administration grants to be used for studies of the proposed service.[18]

Stations

The Norristown Transportation Center is a major hub
Miquon station

The Manayunk/Norristown Line makes the following station stops after leaving the Center City Commuter Connection; stations indicated with a gray background are closed.

Zone[20] Location Station Miles (km)
from
Center City
Connections / notes
C Callowhill, Philadelphia Spring Garden Street On the former line to Reading Terminal, closed November 6, 1984[21]
Temple University Temple University 2.1 (3.4) SEPTA Regional Rail: all lines
1 Glenwood, Philadelphia North Broad 2.9 (4.7) SEPTA Regional Rail: Lansdale/Doylestown Line
SEPTA City Transit:Broad Street Line
SEPTA City Bus: 4, 16, 54
Allegheny West, Philadelphia Allegheny 4.0 (6.4) SEPTA City Bus: 33, 60
East Falls, Philadelphia East Falls 5.5 (8.9) SEPTA City Bus: K
2 Wissahickon, Philadelphia Wissahickon Transportation Center 6.4 (10.3) SEPTA City Bus: 9, 27, 61, 62, 65
Manayunk, Philadelphia Manayunk 7.6 (12.2) SEPTA City Bus: 35, 61, 62
Roxborough, Philadelphia Ivy Ridge 8.4 (13.5) SEPTA City Bus: 61, 62
Shawmont 9.4 (15.1) Closed November 10, 1996[22]
Miquon Miquon 10.7 (17.2)
3 Conshohocken Spring Mill 12.3 (19.8)
Conshohocken 13.5 (21.7) SEPTA Suburban Bus: 95, 97
Ivy Rock 15.3 (24.6) Closed 1983
Mogees 15.9 (25.6) Discontinued on October 4, 1992[23]
Norristown Norristown Transportation Center 17.2 (27.7) SEPTA Suburban Transit: Norristown High Speed Line
SEPTA Suburban Bus: 90, 91, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99, 131
Norristown-Main Street 17.7 (28.5) SEPTA Suburban Bus: 90, 91, 93, 131
Marshall Street 17.9 (28.8) Closed 1959[24]
Norristown-Elm Street 18.1 (29.1)

Former diesel service

Prior to July 26, 1981, RDC diesel trains operated north of Norristown to Reading and Pottsville. Until 2011, SEPTA had considering restoring service as far as Reading as part of the Schuylkill Valley Metro project. These plans are currently on hold. The following is a list of stations formerly served by SEPTA.

Zone
Station Miles (km) from
Reading Terminal
Date opened Date closed
4 Valley Forge Park    
Valley Forge 21.5 (34.6)  
5 Phoenixville 27.7 (44.6)  
Royersford 32.0 (51.5)  
Linfield 34.7 (55.8)   March 26, 1978[25]
6 Pottstown 39.1 (62.9)  
7 Birdsboro 49.5 (79.7)  
8 Reading (Franklin Street) 58.1 (93.5)  
Leesport 66.3 (106.7)  
Mohrsville 68.6 (110.4)  
Shoemakersville 70.0 (112.7)  
Hamburg 75.3 (121.2)  
9 Auburn 83.5 (134.4)  
10 Schuylkill Haven 89.1 (143.4)  
Pottsville 93.6 (150.6)  

Ridership

Between FY 2008–FY 2018 yearly ridership on the Manayunk/Norristown Line has ranged between 2.9 million–3.1 million.[note 1]

1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
FY 2011
FY 2012
FY 2013
FY 2014
FY 2015
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018

Notes

  1. Annual ridership statistics compiled from SEPTA's Annual Service Plans.[1][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]

References

  1. "Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. June 2019. p. 42. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  2. "Manayunk/Norristown Line schedule" (PDF). SEPTA. December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  3. Baer, Christopher T. (April 2015). "A GENERAL CHRONOLOGY OF THE SUCCESSORS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY AND THEIR HISTORICAL CONTEXT: 1933" (PDF). Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society.
  4. Woodland, Dale W. (December 2003). "SEPTA's Diesels". Railpace Newsmagazine. pp. 21–22.
  5. Williams, Gerry (1998). Trains, Trolleys & Transit: A Guide to Philadelphia Area Rail Transit. Piscataway, New Jersey: Railpace Company. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-9621541-7-1.
  6. Vuchic, Vukan; Kikuchi, Shinya (1984). General Operations Plan for the SEPTA Regional High Speed System. Philadelphia: SEPTA. pp. 2–8.
  7. Lustig, David (November 2010). "SEPTA makeover". Trains Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing: 26.
  8. "Manayunk/Norristown Line Shuttle Busing: An Explanation". SEPTA. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  9. "SEPTA's Capital Program:Regional Rail Signal System Modernization Program" (PDF). Fiscal Year 2014 Capital Budget Proposal. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  10. "Positive Train Control Update". SEPTA. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  11. "Service Information". SEPTA. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  12. "SEPTA Regional Rail & Rail Transit Lifeline Service" (PDF). SEPTA. 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  13. Hambright, Brett (December 12, 2010). "Decision near on Route 422 tolls". Reading Eagle. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  14. Hambright, Brett (August 10, 2010). "Technology is making tolls (almost) painless". Reading Eagle. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  15. "Phoenixville Regional Rail Plan Moving Forward". Patch. May 9, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  16. Brelje, Beth (August 21, 2018). "Panel hopes to revive Reading to Norristown passenger train service". Reading Eagle. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  17. Herman, Holly (November 27, 2020). "PennDOT plans to finalize a study on using Norfolk Southern freight tracks to restore rail passenger service to Reading". Reading Eagle. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  18. Vasil, Jim (January 11, 2021). "Reading to Philly rail study shows idea gaining steam". Allentown, PA: WFMZ-TV. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  19. "Reading to Philadelphia Passenger Rail Analysis" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. December 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  20. "Manayunk/Norristown Line Timetable" (PDF). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. September 10, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  21. Williams, Edgar (November 6, 1984). "A Fond Adieu to Reading Terminal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. A1, A8. Retrieved July 4, 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  22. Dougherty, Frank (October 25, 1996). "Septa Board Cuts Service But Oppostion Is Spirited". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  23. "New Rail Schedules Set". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 2, 1992. p. 36. Retrieved October 19, 2017 via Newspapers.com.
  24. "To Make Changes". The Scranton Tribune. September 16, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Rail Hikes Stalled". The Philadelphia Daily News. March 23, 1978. p. 62. Retrieved October 26, 2017 via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. June 2018. p. 74. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  27. "Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. June 2017. p. 44. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  28. "Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. October 2016. p. 70. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  29. "Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. June 2015. p. 94. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  30. "Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. May 2014. p. 60. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  31. "Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. May 2013. p. 44. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  32. "Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. May 2012. p. 55. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  33. "Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. July 2011. p. 94. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  34. "Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. June 2010. p. 70. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  35. "Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). SEPTA. June 2009. p. 63. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
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