DireFreights wrote:And on the BSL: Is the Alma Loop at Cottman & Castor behind the Firstrust Bank building? I am actually very familiar with that area. What about at the Bells Corner Loop behind the Dunkin' Donuts, where Castor becomes Bustleton? How about another Trans. Ctr. there. And I'm assuming then the line then runs up to Somerton as originally planned.I don't know about Dunkin', haven't been in that part of Philly for over 10 years. But it is at Cottman. The reason I suggested Alma for the transportation center was because the location reminded me of Olney. I don't mean the neighborhood, though. At Olney there's something like 3 or 4 bus routes along with the BSL that stop there and it's located near Central H.S. and Widner Memorial School. At Alma, you have a couple bus routes, a trackless trolley route and Northeast H.S. near by. I wasn't thinking a Norristown-esque trans. ctr. but more like Olney Trans. Ctr.
http://septa.org/maps/region/pdf/suburb.pdf
I did think about running the NHSL down 52nd St. to Market, but as I gave it more thought. It would connect with the MFSL less than 2 miles from 69th St. Station. The Market-Frankford is a different guage than the Norristown cars. Making acess to platforms, the 3rd rail, and other technical issues a nightmare, so terminating at 52nd & Market Streets and transfering to the MFSL line would be prudent so the whole concept seemed a bit redundant to me. Right now to get from Manyunk and Conshocken, you have to ether take a bus or use the Norristown Line via North Philly. Besides, I'm sure some commuters at Ivy Ridge would love an alternative to that staircase. Although, I heard that SEPTA recently tore down the platform they built in 1980 so a new station would have to be built. I was thinking of a quicker way to reach center city. Also with Route 100 being standard guage, I figured laying the 3rd rail would be the biggest task once it reaches the main line. As for the cars, the Lehigh Valley Transit ran trolleys from Allentown to Norristown, they switched to 3rd rail from overhead wire to contue the trip to 69th St. Station in Upper Darby. I assume that any expansion of the NHSL would require aquisition of more cars. Why not make the new cars run on both overhead wire and 3rd rail, if laying a 3rd rail through to 30th St. Station isn't practical?
I know what you mean about getting downtown. Right now I have to drive to either Colmar or Ft. Washington since Lansdale isn't very practical. But most of the time I drive to Fern Rock. It's just easier, especially on weekends when I don't have to worry about missing the train and waiting another hour for the next one.