Reading Freight Under Catenary

Did the Reading Company, like the PRR, ever own / use electrics to pull freight within their electrified territory surrounding Philadelphia?

No, they did not utilize any electric locomotives to haul their freight.

They never had any electric engines for commuter or freight service.

On a historical note, the Reading did envision an expanded electrification to Jersey City (via an electrified CNJ of course)
and the Main Line to Reading and beyond into the coal region. Had that become reality, the Reading would most likely would have had electric locomotives hauling freight.

amtrakhogger wrote:On a historical note, the Reading did envision an expanded electrification to Jersey City (via an electrified CNJ of course).

Wayne Jct. substation had provisions (foundations in the floor for more switchgear) to supervise a system 3 times as big as built, probably for that New York bound extension.

amtrakhogger wrote:On a historical note, the Reading did envision an expanded electrification to Jersey City (via an electrified CNJ of course)
and the Main Line to Reading and beyond into the coal region.

Suppose they did electrify the line to Reading. Do you think Septa would still have cut back service in the early 80's?

theWatusi wrote:

amtrakhogger wrote:On a historical note, the Reading did envision an expanded electrification to Jersey City (via an electrified CNJ of course)
and the Main Line to Reading and beyond into the coal region.

Suppose they did electrify the line to Reading. Do you think Septa would still have cut back service in the early 80's?

Most likely not at that point. Maybe later on due to "lack of ridership" as SEPTA likes to call it.