As the creator of this map, I will try to answer some of the questions posed above.
Would this system have any express service on the BSS 1 Line? As the map shows, the 1 train is an all times local, although I guess a peak direction express could be operated hitting all stops above Olney, then express to Walnut Locust or going around the loop. Taylor envisioned the local though.
Would there be 4 tracks? Or would the 5 be riding yellows behind the 1 in the current 2 track arrangement?
- Also how would the junction between Snyder & Takser work? Yes, there would be 4 tracks to just south of Tasker-Morris,where the two inner express tracks would go down one level and go west under Passayunk to the 16th&Snyder station. There would be a series of diamonds before the descending tracks to give flexibility. This configuration was not part of Taylor's plan... his notes do not elaborate on it... just says that a branch to Eastwick would diverge here. A free transfer could easily be accomplished with a 2 block concourse between stations.
So I guess my question is, does this map consider SEPTA's current layout? Or is it based solely on original plans (as evidenced by the downtown loop, Columbia station, which is now Cecil B Moore, and Spring Garden on the Spur)? When i made this map, I envisioned it how the system might look shortly after the SEPTA takeover... Hence Columbia. Taylor's loop actually used Broad Street as it's Western side... I thought 16th would work better. By 2017... Spring Garden might still be closed even with this system. Other ares where I made changes to Taylor's plan is that the 5 train only uses the Blvd up to Oxford Circle and then uses Castor Ave to reach Bustleton. Taylor's plan was a line all the way up the Blvd. Taylor wanted the Darby Elevated to reach CC by way of a Chestnut Street subway, not using the Market line like on the map. Also, had this system been built, PATCO probably would not be like it is today, or how it is depicted on this map. The reason is, Taylor envisioned a bridge line that either used Broadway in Camden down to Gloucester or A line to the Camden limts via Haddonfield Ave. Either way the bridge would have not been an option for PATCO and a tunnel under the river with a distribution Subway under Walnut would have been what PATCO would be today.
This is amazing, albeit wishful thinking.... Well, maybe wishful thinking by today's standards... but in 1912, the city was busting at the seems with over 2 million inhabitants and growing, and this system both served areas all ready populated and also opened up new territory. Philly, unlike NY... at the time was controlled by very conservative republicans... who although were in favor of this plan... when put in a money pinch diverted funds... but you got to give them some credit... they attempted the loop, built half of it actually. To understand getting stuff built in Philly, I refer you back to the construction of the Art Museum... the architect who designed it... built the wings first, because he knew if he built the main hall first... the city would say "That's good enough... don't bother with the wings" Too bad Taylor didn't have the insight to build the branches first then the main trunk...lol
900,000 tons of steel, made to roll
The brakes don't work and this grade's so steep
her engines sure to blow...
900,000 tons of steel, out of control
She's more a roller coaster, than the train I used to know.