Railfanning Septa

I'll be in the area next week and could have some free time - anyone have tips for good places to railfan Septa? There doesn't seem to be a good railfan guide online to the system or the city in general online so any helps is appreciated. Many thanks!

Try 30st st Station upper level for the railroad.

Here's SEPTA's website: http://www.septa.org

When I have a whole day to railfan SEPTA, I buy a Day Pass, a bargain for $5.50, which allows one one-way Regional Rail trip (except to Trenton) and unlimited rides on subways, the el, and trolleys, including suburban routes 100, 101, and 102. I ride the Broad Street Subway to Fern Rock and back to Center City, on the Ridge Ave spur if practical. I've seen the speedometer hit 63 mph on express trains. Then I'll use the one train trip on the R6 to Norristown and ride Route 100 to 69th Street. A diversion on 101/102 Media/Sharon Hill trolley, then back to 69th Street and the Market Street El to 30th Street or Center City. From there the 10 trolley to Girard Ave and a Route 15 PCC II car to Broad Street and the subway or to Front Street and the Frankford El.

loop at Fern Rock
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -25+19.jpg
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -25+25.jpg
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -29+35.jpg

Ridge Ave Spur
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -25+44.jpg

Route 10 at Girard & Lancaster Aves
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -29+06.jpg

Route 15 at Girard & Lancaster Aves
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -29+06.jpg

Norristown: R6 and Route 100
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _23_24.jpg

Route 100 at Bryn Mawr
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _25_23.jpg

Route 101
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _25_26.jpg

Regional Rail at Market East
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -18+28.jpg

Market Street El
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -12+38.jpg
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/u ... -12+43.jpg

Bob

i could go on and on, but haven't the time

check out world.nycsubway.org they have great trip ideas. 30th street is a good spot, but since all the equipment is pretty much the same, go to north philadelphia- freight, NJT, Amtrak, and two SEPTA lines diverging into two different stations on spot.

most worthwhile subway/trolley rides are in my mind routes 100 and 101, and the MFL. explore 69th street terminal.

the broad-ridge spur is VERY depressing and run down- ride the BSL near fern rock, where you'll get better pics and more interesting loop rides and yard pics.

look in suburban station where you can get one of the best looks at the push-pulls.

as for regional rail rides... most of them are pretty generic. i recommend the R5 paoli etc. ride as far as you can go. can take amtrak keystone back, which is a fun combo.

TOP HOTSPOTS: North Philly, 69th street, fern rock, and whole suburban station complex

know you can't do all this, but these are all worthwhile.

30th Street Station, Upper Level platforms, at the peak times, is your best bet. That's when SEPTA uses all their equipment: push-pull Bombardier coaches and locomotives, Silverliner IVs, IIIs, and IIs. The rest of the day, it's usually Silverliner IVs only.

Another place with some variety is Ardmore, PA, where you can see both electric SEPTA and diesel Amtrak trains, most of which stop at Ardmore. You might even see some maintenance-of-way equipment, since they're working on upgrading this line.

If you go to north philly DO NOT leave the station, from what I understand it is not in a very nice part of town! BUt other wise 30th street is good you can photograph the septa stuff as well as amtrak and also if you walk across the scuykill river you can get onto a bike path that is right next to the old B&O line into the city

silverliner266 wrote:If you go to north philly DO NOT leave the station, from what I understand it is not in a very nice part of town! BUt other wise 30th street is good you can photograph the septa stuff as well as amtrak and also if you walk across the scuykill river you can get onto a bike path that is right next to the old B&O line into the city

north philly is NOT that dangerous if you go nowhere EXCEPT broad street, which has enough traffic to keep it relatively safe. i'd walk to the R8 platform however

Acouple of places where you can ride different lines in each direction.

If you don't mind a walk and its a nice day, ride the R3 to Media then walk north into town and catch the 101 and the Market St. El back into the city.

You could also ride the R5 to Radnor then change to the Route 100 HSL, the stations are fairly close together.

benltrain wrote:north philly is NOT that dangerous if you go nowhere EXCEPT broad street

Yea it's not that dangerous.... People have only been shot on Broad St in the "Bad lands" in middle of the the day.

CP Wood wrote:

benltrain wrote:north philly is NOT that dangerous if you go nowhere EXCEPT broad street

Yea it's not that dangerous.... People have only been shot on Broad St in the "Bad lands" in middle of the the day.

I've walked between North Philly station, the Broad Street Subway station, and the North Broad Station many times without incident.

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _29_85.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/photo/853 ... 8960akVBFZ

http://community.webshots.com/photo/853 ... 8960myUisA

http://community.webshots.com/photo/109 ... kSbEpNxUSV

Bob

CP Wood wrote:

benltrain wrote:north philly is NOT that dangerous if you go nowhere EXCEPT broad street

Yea it's not that dangerous.... People have only been shot on Broad St in the "Bad lands" in middle of the the day.

Daytime the area isn't too bad; just gotta be careful...there are much worse areas in Philly...

If you want to ride septa's R5 to the westermost stop, which is Thorndale, you have to take septa back. Amtrak brings you as close as Downingtown there. I would encourage you to ride the 100, even if you are not a subway or traction buff. The line is scenic, especially with all the valleys. At NTC, connect to regional rail. You could even see the last stop on the R6 if you walk a few yards down. N. Philly, I'd question. There, you are better off staying on the platform there.

Thanks for all the suggestions! One more question, which commuter lines do the push-pull trains operate on?

Thanks once again for the help.

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

there are your answers.

very few trains, mostly expresses at rush hour.

Thanks once again!