Manayunk/Norristown Line

Last updated
Manayunk/Norristown Line
Train at Norristown Main Street next to Route 202, October 2014.jpg
A Manayunk/Norristown train at Main Street station in Norristown, Pennsylvania
Overview
Service type SEPTA Regional Rail commuter service
Current operator(s) SEPTA
Ridership3,074 (FY 2022) [1]
Route
Termini Penn Medicine
Norristown–Elm Street
Stops16
Distance travelled18.1 mi (29.1 km)
Line(s) used
Technical
Rolling stock Electric multiple units
Electrification Overhead line, 12 kV 25 Hz AC

The Manayunk/Norristown Line is a commuter rail service in Southeastern Pennsylvania between Center City Philadelphia and Norristown, and one of the 13 lines in SEPTA's Regional Rail network. It has the second highest operating ratio (19.9%) on the SEPTA Regional Rail network. [2]

Contents

Route

Manayunk/Norristown Line trains originate at and take the West Chester Branch to reach 30th Street Station. From there, they use the Center City Commuter Connection of the SEPTA Main Line, making all stops between 30th Street Station and North Broad station. From North Broad, trains use the Norristown Branch, traveling through Philadelphia's East Falls and Manayunk neighborhoods and Conshohocken before reaching Norristown. At the Norristown Transportation Center, commuters can transfer to SEPTA surface buses or the SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line to 69th Street Transportation Center. From the Norristown Transportation Center, trains continue to Norristown–Main Street and Norristown–Elm Street. Until 1981, additional passenger service continued from Norristown over the former Reading main line to Pottstown, Reading, and Pottsville.

As of 2022, most weekday Manayunk/Norristown Line trains terminate at 30th Street Station or continue to Wawa on the Media/Wawa Line. Most weekend Manayunk/Norristown Line trains continue to Wilmington on the Wilmington/Newark Line. [3]

History

R6 Norristown.gif
An outbound Manayunk/Norristown Line train at Norristown Transportation Center SEPTA Silverliner V 704 at Norristown Transportation Center.jpeg
An outbound Manayunk/Norristown Line train at Norristown Transportation Center

The Manayunk/Norristown Line is a continuation of the Reading Company's suburban services on the Norristown Branch from Philadelphia to Norristown, Pennsylvania. Electrified service to Norristown and Chestnut Hill East began on February 5, 1933. [4] Steam (and later diesel)-operated intercity services continued to operate beyond Norristown. By the 1960s Budd Rail Diesel Cars handled most of the Reading's diesel services, although the Reading's EMD FP7 locomotives, displaced from the Crusader , saw regular use on the Philadelphia–Reading run. [5] SEPTA discontinued services beyond Norristown on July 26, 1981. [6]

Between 1984–2010 the route was designated R6 Norristown as part of SEPTA's diametrical reorganization of its lines. Manayunk/Norristown Line trains operated through the city center to the Ivy Ridge Line (later Cynwyd) on the ex-Pennsylvania side of the system. [7] The R-number naming system was dropped on July 25, 2010. [8] SEPTA undertook a series of operational and physical improvements of the Norristown Branch beginning in 2013, culminating in the activation of positive train control on August 15, 2016. [9] [10] [11]

On April 9, 2020, service on the line was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [12] though Temple University and North Broad stations were still being served by other rail services. Service resumed on June 28, 2020. [13] On September 1–2, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused severe flooding along the Schuylkill River, with the Manayunk/Norristown Line between Miquon and Norristown flooded and damaged. As a result, service along the line was suspended. Service between Center City Philadelphia and Spring Mill resumed on September 7 while service along the entire length of the line to Norristown resumed on September 13. [14]

Proposed extensions beyond Norristown

Like the Cynwyd Line, the Manayunk/Norristown Line was slated to become part of the planned new Schuylkill Valley Metro, but was to serve the King of Prussia mall complex and the former Pennsylvania Railroad's Trenton Cut-Off line to Frazer. This was referred to by planners as the "Cross-County Segment." An extension of the Manayunk/Norristown Line, called the Norristown Extension, to Wyomissing was later proposed, with funding to come through new tolls on U.S. Route 422. [15] [16]

As of mid-2018, the borough of Phoenixville is studying the restoration of SEPTA train service by extending the Manayunk/Norristown Line using old Reading Line track past Norristown, currently used for freight trains by Norfolk Southern along its Harrisburg Line. [17] In 2018, a panel led by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance pushed for an extension of the Manayunk/Norristown Line to Reading, with service terminating either at the Franklin Street Station in Reading or in Wyomissing. The proposed extension would utilize existing Norfolk Southern freight railroad tracks. Before service can be implemented, a study would need to take place. [18]

In 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) finalized a study on the feasibility of extending passenger train service from Norristown to Reading along the Norfolk Southern freight line. The proposed extension is projected to cost $818 million, which includes buying the trains and paying Norfolk Southern to use the line. The service is projected to have an annual operating cost of between $18 million and $25 million. Stations will be located in Reading (Franklin Street Station), Birdsboro, Pottstown, Royersford, Phoenixville, Valley Forge, and Norristown (Norristown Transportation Center); from where the train will follow the existing Manayunk/Norristown Line to Philadelphia. [19] [20] [21] As the section between Reading and Norristown is not electrified, the service will either require dual mode locomotives or the extension of electrification beyond Norristown in order to provide a one-seat ride between Reading and Philadelphia; another option would be to operate diesel-powered trains between Reading and Norristown that would offer a transfer to electric-powered trains at Norristown for service to Philadelphia. In addition, a third track would need to be constructed between Reading and Norristown in order to accommodate both passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The proposal calls for between 6 and 9 daily round trips to Reading and has a projected weekday ridership between 3,400 and 6,400 by 2030. [21] Following the PennDOT feasibility study, a feasibility study by Norfolk Southern needs to be conducted and the proposal needs to be added to the PennDOT rail plan, which would allow for Federal Railroad Administration grants to be used for studies of the proposed service. [20]

As part of the process of implementing passenger train service from Norristown to Reading, county commissioners from Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties will create the Tri-County Passenger Rail Committee, which will consist of three members named by each county. [22]

Rail service between Reading and Philadelphia along the Norfolk Southern line is included in Amtrak's service vision for 2035. [23]

Stations

The Norristown Transportation Center is a major hub R6 420 - 5341 - N5 - Norristown TC - 2-18-06.jpg
The Norristown Transportation Center is a major hub
Miquon station Miquon Train Station Montco Planning Com.jpg
Miquon station

The Manayunk/Norristown Line makes the following station stops after leaving the Center City Commuter Connection; stations indicated with a gray background are closed. [24]

ZoneLocationStation Miles (km)
from
Center City 		Connections / notes
C Callowhill, Philadelphia Spring Garden Street On the former line to Reading Terminal, closed November 6, 1984 [25]
Temple University Temple University Wheelchair symbol.svg 2.1 (3.4) SEPTA.svg SEPTA Regional Rail: all lines
1 Glenwood, Philadelphia North Broad Wheelchair symbol.svg 2.9 (4.7) SEPTA.svg SEPTA Regional Rail:       Lansdale/​Doylestown Line
SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Transit: BSL Broad Street Line
SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Bus: 4 , 16 , 54
Allegheny West, Philadelphia Allegheny 4.0 (6.4) SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Bus: 33 , 60
East Falls, Philadelphia East Falls 5.5 (8.9) SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Bus: K
2 Wissahickon, Philadelphia Wissahickon 6.4 (10.3) SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Bus: 9 , 27 , 61 , 62 , 65
Manayunk, Philadelphia Manayunk 7.6 (12.2) SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Bus: 35 , 61 , 62
Roxborough, Philadelphia Ivy Ridge 8.4 (13.5) SEPTA.svg SEPTA City Bus: 61 , 62
Shawmont 9.4 (15.1)Closed November 10, 1996 [26]
Miquon Miquon 10.7 (17.2)
3 Conshohocken Spring Mill Wheelchair symbol.svg 12.3 (19.8)
Conshohocken Wheelchair symbol.svg 13.5 (21.7) SEPTA.svg SEPTA Suburban Bus: 95 , 97
Ivy Rock15.3 (24.6)Closed 1978
Mogees15.9 (25.6)Discontinued on October 4, 1992 [27]
Norristown Norristown Transportation
Center 		17.2 (27.7) SEPTA.svg SEPTA Suburban Transit: NHSL Norristown High Speed Line
SEPTA.svg SEPTA Suburban Bus: 90 , 91 , 93 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 131
Norristown–Main Street 17.7 (28.5) SEPTA.svg SEPTA Suburban Bus: 90 , 91 , 93 , 131
Marshall Street17.9 (28.8)Closed 1959 [28]
Norristown–Elm Street Wheelchair symbol.svg 18.1 (29.1)

Former diesel service

Prior to July 26, 1981, RDC diesel trains operated north of Norristown to Reading and Pottsville. Until 2011, SEPTA had considered restoring service as far as Reading as part of the Schuylkill Valley Metro project. These plans are currently on hold. The following is a list of stations formerly served by SEPTA.

Zone
Station Miles (km) from
Reading Terminal 		Date openedDate closed
4 Valley Forge Park   
Valley Forge 21.5 (34.6) 
5 Phoenixville 27.7 (44.6) 
Royersford 32.0 (51.5) 
Linfield 34.7 (55.8) March 26, 1978 [29]
6 Pottstown 39.1 (62.9) 
7 Birdsboro 49.5 (79.7) 
8 Reading (Franklin Street) 58.1 (93.5) 
Leesport66.3 (106.7) 
Mohrsville68.6 (110.4) 
Shoemakersville70.0 (112.7) 
Hamburg75.3 (121.2) 
9Auburn83.5 (134.4) 
10 Schuylkill Haven 89.1 (143.4) 
Pottsville 93.6 (150.6) 

Ridership

Between FY 2013–FY 2019 yearly ridership on the Manayunk/Norristown Line ranged between 2.9 million–3.3 million before collapsing during the COVID-19 pandemic. [note 1]

1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
FY 2013
FY 2014
FY 2015
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023

Notes

  1. ↑ Data for individual lines is not available for FY 2020. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenixville, Pennsylvania</span> Borough in Pennsylvania, United States

Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philadelphia at the junction of French Creek and the Schuylkill River. It is in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. According to a 2022 estimate, the population was 19,354.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEPTA Regional Rail</span> Commuter rail service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

The SEPTA Regional Rail system is a commuter rail network owned by SEPTA and serving the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The system has 13 branches and more than 150 active stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, its suburbs and satellite towns and cities. It is the sixth-busiest commuter railroad in the United States, and the busiest outside of the New York, Chicago, and Boston metropolitan areas. In 2016, the Regional Rail system had an average of 132,000 daily riders and 118,800 daily riders as of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norristown Transportation Center</span> Passenger transportation hub in Norristown, Pennsylvania

Norristown Transportation Center is a two-level multimodal public transportation regional hub located in Norristown, Pennsylvania and operated by SEPTA. It opened in 1989, replacing the older Norristown High Speed Line terminus one block away at Main and Swede Streets, and integrated the former Reading Company's DeKalb Street Norristown railroad station into its structure. A plaque embedded in the sidewalk between the bus lane and Lafayette Street commemorates the location of one of the columns of the dismantled segment of the Philadelphia and Western Railroad (P&W) trestle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilmington/Newark Line</span> SEPTA line between Newark, Delaware and Center City Philadelphia

The Wilmington/Newark Line is a route of the SEPTA Regional Rail commuter rail system in the Philadelphia area. The line serves southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, with stations in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, Delaware, and Newark, Delaware. It is the longest of the 13 SEPTA Regional Rail lines.

Schuylkill River Passenger Rail is a proposed passenger train service along the Schuylkill River between Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania, with intermediate stops in Norristown, King of Prussia, Phoenixville, and Pottstown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manayunk station</span>

Manayunk station is a station located along the SEPTA Manayunk/Norristown rail line. It is located at Cresson and Carson Streets in the Manayunk neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In FY 2013, Manayunk station had a weekday average of 654 boardings and 563 alightings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivy Ridge station</span> SEPTA Regional Rail station

Ivy Ridge station is a SEPTA Regional Rail station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Located at Umbria Street and Parker Avenue in Northwest Philadelphia, it serves the Manayunk/Norristown Line. The initial station was built in a minimalist design similar to that of Elm Street, Norristown. The current station has a 204-space parking lot. In FY 2013, Ivy Ridge station had a weekday average of 602 boardings and 582 alightings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrisburg Line</span> Rail line in Pennsylvania, U.S.

The Harrisburg Line is a rail line owned and operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The line runs from Philadelphia west to Harrisburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schuylkill Branch</span> Former railroad line in Pennsylvania

The Schuylkill Branch was a rail line owned and operated by the former Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in Pennsylvania. The line ran from the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line at 52nd Street in Philadelphia north via Norristown, Reading, and Pottsville to Delano Junction, about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) northeast of Delano. From Delano Junction, the PRR had trackage rights over the Lehigh Valley Railroad's Hazleton Branch and Tomhicken Branch to Tomhicken, where the PRR's Catawissa Branch began.

The Greenline was a proposed $138 million mass transit line for the Upper Schuylkill Valley region in southeastern Pennsylvania in the United States. The line was advocated by the group Citizens for the Train. Grant money needed to fund a feasibility study was not successfully obtained. Since 2014, there have been no plans to move forward with the project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warminster Line</span> SEPTA Regional Rail service

The Warminster Line is a route of the SEPTA Regional Rail commuter rail system. It serves stations between its namesake town, Warminster, and Center City Philadelphia. Half of the route is shared by other lines, including the Lansdale/Doylestown Line, West Trenton Line, Fox Chase Line, Chestnut Hill East Line, and Manayunk/Norristown Line. All trains continue as part of the Airport Line with the exception of some weekday trains that terminate at 30th Street Station, Thorndale, or Trenton Transit Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Trenton Line</span> SEPTA regional rail line

The West Trenton Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail service connecting Center City Philadelphia to the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Media/Wawa Line</span> SEPTA Regional Rail line between Center City Philadelphia and Wawa, Delaware County

The Media/Wawa Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail service that runs from Center City Philadelphia west to Wawa in Delaware County. It uses the West Chester Branch, which connects with the SEPTA Main Line at 30th Street Station. Under the Pennsylvania Railroad, service continued to West Chester, Pennsylvania. On September 19, 1986, however, service was truncated to Elwyn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynwyd Line</span> SEPTA Regional Rail line

The Cynwyd Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line from Center City Philadelphia to Cynwyd in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Originally known as the Ivy Ridge Line, service was truncated on May 17, 1986, at its current terminus at Cynwyd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox Chase Line</span> SEPTA Regional Rail service

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Cutoff</span> Railroad freight line in Pennsylvania

The Trenton Cutoff is a 48-mile (77 km) rail corridor in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that runs from Morrisville to Glenloch. Today used by Norfolk Southern, it consists of two rail lines: the Morrisville Line, which runs between Morrisville and Ernest, and the Dale Secondary between Ernest and Glenloch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenixville station</span> Former train station in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Street station (Pennsylvania)</span> Redeveloped former station in Reading

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawmont station</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pottsville Line</span>

The Pottsville Line was a commuter rail service in the Delaware Valley, connecting Pottsville, Reading, and Pottstown with Philadelphia. It was the last vestige of passenger service on the former Reading main line. The service lasted into the SEPTA era and was discontinued in 1981. SEPTA continues to operate Manayunk/Norristown Line commuter trains between Philadelphia and Norristown.

References

  1. 1 2 SEPTA Data Group. "Route Operating Statistics" . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Route Operating Statistics" . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Manayunk/Norristown Line schedule" (PDF). SEPTA. December 19, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ Baer, Christopher T. (April 2015). "A GENERAL CHRONOLOGY OF THE SUCCESSORS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY AND THEIR HISTORICAL CONTEXT: 1933" (PDF). Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society.
  5. ↑ Woodland, Dale W. (December 2003). "SEPTA's Diesels". Railpace Newsmagazine. pp. 21–22.
  6. ↑ Williams, Gerry (1998). Trains, Trolleys & Transit: A Guide to Philadelphia Area Rail Transit. Piscataway, New Jersey: Railpace Company. p. 47. ISBN   978-0-9621541-7-1.
  7. ↑ Vuchic, Vukan; Kikuchi, Shinya (1984). General Operations Plan for the SEPTA Regional High Speed System. Philadelphia: SEPTA. pp. 2–8.
  8. ↑ Lustig, David (November 2010). "SEPTA makeover". Trains Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing: 26.
  9. ↑ "Manayunk/Norristown Line Shuttle Busing: An Explanation". SEPTA. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "SEPTA's Capital Program:Regional Rail Signal System Modernization Program" (PDF). Fiscal Year 2014 Capital Budget Proposal. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  11. ↑ "Positive Train Control Update". SEPTA. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Service Information". SEPTA . Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  13. ↑ "SEPTA Regional Rail & Rail Transit Lifeline Service" (PDF). SEPTA. 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  14. ↑ Katro, Katie (September 9, 2021). "Repairs continue at some stations on SEPTA's Manayunk/Norristown line after flooding". Philadelphia, PA: WPVI-TV. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  15. ↑ Hambright, Brett (December 12, 2010). "Decision near on Route 422 tolls". Reading Eagle . Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  16. ↑ Hambright, Brett (August 10, 2010). "Technology is making tolls (almost) painless". Reading Eagle. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Phoenixville Regional Rail Plan Moving Forward". Patch. May 9, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  18. ↑ Brelje, Beth (August 21, 2018). "Panel hopes to revive Reading to Norristown passenger train service". Reading Eagle. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  19. ↑ Herman, Holly (November 27, 2020). "PennDOT plans to finalize a study on using Norfolk Southern freight tracks to restore rail passenger service to Reading". Reading Eagle. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  20. 1 2 Vasil, Jim (January 11, 2021). "Reading to Philly rail study shows idea gaining steam". Allentown, PA: WFMZ-TV. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  21. 1 2 "Reading to Philadelphia Passenger Rail Analysis" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. December 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  22. ↑ Herman, Holly (February 5, 2021). "Berks County commissioners support plan to restore Reading-to-Philadelphia passenger train service". Reading Eagle. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  23. ↑ Vasil, Jim (April 1, 2021). "Reading, Philly train travel part of Amtrak's 2035 vision". Allentown, PA: WFMZ-TV. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Manayunk/Norristown Line Timetable" (PDF). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. September 10, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  25. ↑ Williams, Edgar (November 6, 1984). "A Fond Adieu to Reading Terminal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. A1, A8 . Retrieved July 4, 2019– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  26. ↑ Dougherty, Frank (October 25, 1996). "Septa Board Cuts Service But Opposition Is Spirited". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  27. ↑ "New Rail Schedules Set". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 2, 1992. p. 36. Retrieved October 19, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  28. ↑ "To Make Changes". The Scranton Tribune. September 16, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2019– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  29. ↑ "Rail Hikes Stalled". The Philadelphia Daily News. March 23, 1978. p. 62. Retrieved October 26, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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