SEPTA's Surface Subway Lines

RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.

SEPTA's
SURFACE SUBWAY LINES
10, 11, 13, 34, 36
Philadelphia PA

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The 5 Surface Subway lines cover the west side of Philadelphia and the 30th Street Station, in what can be considered a more urban environment than the 100, 101, and 102 lines. The #10 line heads off in a slightly north-west direction, while the other lines head mainly south-west after coming out of the tunnel. The #10 line also has it's own exit a couple of stations earlier at 36th and Ludlow. The other 4 lines emerge two stations (36th and 37th Sts) later at the 40th St Portal, which is a most interesting "station" to photograph the trains.

The Kawasaki K-cars used on these lines were delivered in the 1981-1982 timeframe, and there are around 111 of them. They are considered LRV's, but remind you more of an updated PCC car when you ride them.

Underground, the cars share the same tunnel as the Market-Frankfort subway line, with the streetcars using the outside pair of the four tracks in the tunnel.

The #11 line has the unique distinction of being the only grade crossing in the United States between a streetcar line and a major rail line. It is in Darby along Main St at 6th St.

One other interesting note, is that on the Surface Subway lines, and the #15 line, trolley poles are used in contrast to the 101 and 102 lines where pantographs are used.

When the tunnel is closed for maintenance or any other reason, there is a connector track that runs up 40th Street that is not normally used except under these circumstances.

Welcome to Philadelphia, enjoy your railfanning experience.

More info can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEPTA_Subway%E2%80%93Surface_Trolley_Lines
http://www.septa.org/maps/trolley/city.html
http://www.studio34yoga.com/trolley.php Nice history of the 34 line from a business located on the route

A trio of PCC pix from 1975 at the 40th Street Portal. Ah, the good ole days :-) Photos courtesy Tim Vermande. Thanks Tim!

The 40th Street Portal, where lines 11, 13, 34, and 36 come out into the open. Noticed the interesting track layout.

This is the portal for the #10 line, at South 36th Street and Ludlow.

At the Elmwood Facility

SEPTA is fairly easy to get along with when fan trips are run. As long as we weren't in front of an operating car, they didn't seem to have any problem with giving us free reign around the yard. The work car and 2728 went to the BSM in Baltimore in 2006, but then they sold "my" car (2728) to Lancaster.