I can't even put into words how much better the new Conshohocken station is. It's simple, effective, and nice-looking. SEPTA has been doing a solid job with these ADA rebuilds over the past decade.
Absolutely! The station rebuilds themselves have been really good when they do happen. Just kind of crazy that more of them aren't in the pipeline, and the ones that are being worked on aren't slated to be done a decade from now in too many cases.
Mt. Airy station mentioned!! I grew up down the street from that station and my dad used it everyday to commute to center city. Used to love the concerts and the bookstore that was there back in the day, hope they bring those back
Very late but SEPTA is trying to make more Regional Rail stations ADA compliant although some stations it'll be hard to do especially with stations like Lansdale since it was added to the National Register of Historic Places a couple of years ago.
They closed the tunnel connecting the subway with Amtrak 30th Street due to crime and drug use. It's up to Amtrak to reopen it now, which they should, as part of the renovations of the station
I AUDIBLY GASPED WHEN MY REGIONAL RAIL ACCESSIBILITY MAP CAME ON SCREEN i'm so glad it came it came in handy!! i'm actually curious where you even found it.. i haven't shared it with anyone in a loooong time, although i do still update it. speaking of which, i need to update claymont's data..
To be honest, I found it just by googling for SEPTA stations with wheelchair accessibility. Don't think it was the first thing to come up, but it was the first page for me. Really got to commend you for putting that together, since something like that is a godsend for anyone trying to find out which stations will be accessible or not, or for just keeping tabs on station updates. SEPTA should definitely take note. Keep up the fantastic work on it!
We need this kind of station in Malvern. I always see people at that station. I know we have Paoli nearby but even then, Malvern is still closer for many of us.
11:53 I find a lot of Northeast railroads prioritize level boarding and platform rebuilds. I find it very odd that commuter lines out west don’t reflect the same way (with the exception of Denver, and technically UTA front runner, although they aren’t high level platforms, they are level boarding). Even Caltrain’s new EMU’s won’t have the integrated high platform door.
Saw old pictures of that too. Ironically the ex Reading station that they currently use as Norristown Transportation Center is low level platform, and not much is on the table to make it high level yet. As vital as that station is, I'm baffled why there hasn't been movement on that.
I can see that. Just two light rail lines is nowhere near enough for a city like Charlotte. I do like that NC seems to be really enthusiastic about expanding intercity services with Amtrak, but Charlotte definitely needs some form of regional rail and of course more light rail. Might be a topic I look into frankly, since that can be an example for other cities that need rail transit options.
26:33 - In Europe, it's common to have public bathrooms that you have to pay a euro or two for access, and this money goes to cleaning and upkeep. Maybe SEPTA could consider this.
Thanks Hungry! Been enjoying your stuff too since Classy Whale introduced me to them! I got quite a few more in the pipeline, so hopefully they can keep your attention even longer!
@@SteveGettingAroundPhilly thank you! That really means a lot. And just based off of the few teasers you dropped in this one, I'll be here for more. I can certainly relate to what you cover and your production keeps the interest up!
The traffic shown on the expressway here at 4 PM is like the expressways in Chicago which can be gridlocked 24-7! Even at 4AM Chicago's expressways are totally gridlocked!!!
I actually like that my local regional rail station is high level, but I find it crazy how the next station on the line is all run down with a bus shelter, and a platform for freight trains. Yes, I'm talking about Lawndale, it's a good place to get freight and SEPTA action, but you also have to cross over the CSX tracks to get to the actual station, which is a problem
My totally detached from reality dream is for them to reactivate the Manayunk bridge, making a large balloon loop through center city, and increasing train frequency (honestly not just on the Manayunk/Norristown but on all regional rail)
Thanks for talking about the stations being closed most of the day. It's easy to have a 2 hr commute on regional rail, and a bathroom would be so nice. Also nice RBS plug 😌🚇
Regional rail stations with 1500 passengers per day is pretty good, especially if the trains are infrequent, like all trains seem to be in the US. I'm from Australia, so watching this I find the design of the stations strange... it's like stepping back in time 75 years. Likewise those trains look like they are from 50 years ago!! Wow.
@@qjtvaddict SEPTA has newer trains and would have been able to retire these altogether if they hadn't been forced to cancel their Chinese train order due to poor manufacturing performance.
I find it strange that the end of the Norristown has had an elavated platform for as long as I can remember, but other stops you'd think would be more popular don't. Used to walk from my house on Astor (the first residential street behind the large warehouses) to the train whenever we went into the city.
AFAIK, federal funding cannot be used on stations without full length high-level platforms unless adding it is part of what the funding is being used for.
I would hope I-76 and I-476 are not expanded. Pretty sure the construction of those highways and their interchange resulted in the demolition in 120 homes in West Conshohocken, the decline of West Conshohocken's population, and the stagnation of West Conshohocken's growth. West Conshohocken suffered so that Conshohocken could thrive. But yeah the traffic going to Philly is horrible so I just opt to take the train from Conshohocken to Center City.
I'd agree for sure. I especially like all of the TOD around the station itself, and there is more on the way. I'd definitely take that over that parking garage idea that they had previously. I know there were complaints of parking being an issue if the goal was to get cars off of 76, but long term, TOD is the best call. Also, love the restaurants in Conshy. haven't visited one I don't like yet.
In order for level boarding to actually speed trains, management must support its conductors when they refuse to wait for late or selfish passengers who sit in their cars until the train arrives. The only problems I have with this episode are the drama about station replacement schedule (11 years isn't an eternity) and his odd failure to mention that the Norristown line has a closed station (Shawmont) that's either the oldest or second oldest station remaining on an active passenger line (the other being in MD, I think) from the very beginnings of railroads.
That's not a bad idea, especially for people who are new to the area. I like the old names, but in the world of public transportation, the most accurate names make life easier.
That's the thing: They didn't electrify it. They inherited the electrified networks of the Pennsy and Reading. Plus, on a network wide level, electrified systems, while expensive to build are cheaper to maintain than diesel powered systems, so much so that SEPTA got rid of their diesel services by the 1980s. Essentially inheriting an electrified system is the dream scenario and SEPTA got it.
Wow, moving entire stations because they are in a curve, while developed countries around the world use retractable level bridges on their doors instead, which automatically close the gap to the platform. I wonder what might be the more economical way. th-cam.com/users/shorts5D-TWksvc3Y?si=I3RF34sczsGKcAyk
The reason they closed the tunnel connecting EL & Trolleys to reach 30th Street Station of Pennsylvania Railroad is do to those who don't respect life as those who create stabbings, drug use and worse.
OK, why not offer to pay for a new station since it's so important to you? Apparently you don't understand how Septa works. They get money from the Fed, State and local governments and they pay all their supporters to keep the board members on the board. Everyone else can take a flying leap through a rolling donut. Septa's motto is "The public and employees be damned". Septa isn't a transit agency it's a slush fund for the well connected.
Great episode and lots of good info! So happy I found your channel!
I can't even put into words how much better the new Conshohocken station is. It's simple, effective, and nice-looking. SEPTA has been doing a solid job with these ADA rebuilds over the past decade.
Absolutely! The station rebuilds themselves have been really good when they do happen. Just kind of crazy that more of them aren't in the pipeline, and the ones that are being worked on aren't slated to be done a decade from now in too many cases.
Mt. Airy station mentioned!! I grew up down the street from that station and my dad used it everyday to commute to center city. Used to love the concerts and the bookstore that was there back in the day, hope they bring those back
Another advantage is that you can remove the stairs built into the cars, saving internal space and increasing capacity
This dense development around a train station is great.
Very late but SEPTA is trying to make more Regional Rail stations ADA compliant although some stations it'll be hard to do especially with stations like Lansdale since it was added to the National Register of Historic Places a couple of years ago.
They closed the tunnel connecting the subway with Amtrak 30th Street due to crime and drug use. It's up to Amtrak to reopen it now, which they should, as part of the renovations of the station
I AUDIBLY GASPED WHEN MY REGIONAL RAIL ACCESSIBILITY MAP CAME ON SCREEN
i'm so glad it came it came in handy!!
i'm actually curious where you even found it.. i haven't shared it with anyone in a loooong time, although i do still update it. speaking of which, i need to update claymont's data..
To be honest, I found it just by googling for SEPTA stations with wheelchair accessibility. Don't think it was the first thing to come up, but it was the first page for me.
Really got to commend you for putting that together, since something like that is a godsend for anyone trying to find out which stations will be accessible or not, or for just keeping tabs on station updates. SEPTA should definitely take note. Keep up the fantastic work on it!
We need this kind of station in Malvern. I always see people at that station. I know we have Paoli nearby but even then, Malvern is still closer for many of us.
11:53 I find a lot of Northeast railroads prioritize level boarding and platform rebuilds. I find it very odd that commuter lines out west don’t reflect the same way (with the exception of Denver, and technically UTA front runner, although they aren’t high level platforms, they are level boarding). Even Caltrain’s new EMU’s won’t have the integrated high platform door.
The Pennsylvania RR station (long gone) at DeKalb Street in Norristown had high level platforms .
Saw old pictures of that too. Ironically the ex Reading station that they currently use as Norristown Transportation Center is low level platform, and not much is on the table to make it high level yet. As vital as that station is, I'm baffled why there hasn't been movement on that.
I do know that the SEPTA Fortuna Station on the Doylestown Line have a Wawa within walking distance or simply just right across the same block!
Makes me wish that Charlotte had more than just the blue line for public rail
I can see that. Just two light rail lines is nowhere near enough for a city like Charlotte. I do like that NC seems to be really enthusiastic about expanding intercity services with Amtrak, but Charlotte definitely needs some form of regional rail and of course more light rail. Might be a topic I look into frankly, since that can be an example for other cities that need rail transit options.
26:33 - In Europe, it's common to have public bathrooms that you have to pay a euro or two for access, and this money goes to cleaning and upkeep. Maybe SEPTA could consider this.
I really enjoy your long-form content. This and the WC video kept my interest the entire time. I'm looking forward to your future content!
Thanks Hungry! Been enjoying your stuff too since Classy Whale introduced me to them! I got quite a few more in the pipeline, so hopefully they can keep your attention even longer!
@@SteveGettingAroundPhilly thank you! That really means a lot.
And just based off of the few teasers you dropped in this one, I'll be here for more. I can certainly relate to what you cover and your production keeps the interest up!
The traffic shown on the expressway here at 4 PM is like the expressways in Chicago which can be gridlocked 24-7! Even at 4AM Chicago's expressways are totally gridlocked!!!
I actually like that my local regional rail station is high level, but I find it crazy how the next station on the line is all run down with a bus shelter, and a platform for freight trains. Yes, I'm talking about Lawndale, it's a good place to get freight and SEPTA action, but you also have to cross over the CSX tracks to get to the actual station, which is a problem
Hearing Conshi on YT is super validating for some reason... lol.
My totally detached from reality dream is for them to reactivate the Manayunk bridge, making a large balloon loop through center city, and increasing train frequency (honestly not just on the Manayunk/Norristown but on all regional rail)
Thanks for talking about the stations being closed most of the day. It's easy to have a 2 hr commute on regional rail, and a bathroom would be so nice. Also nice RBS plug 😌🚇
Good video!👍🏽
Thanks! Got more of them planned!
I feel like conshy mispelling philadelphia is a bit of revenge of no one being able to spell or pronounce conshokocken
Regional rail stations with 1500 passengers per day is pretty good, especially if the trains are infrequent, like all trains seem to be in the US. I'm from Australia, so watching this I find the design of the stations strange... it's like stepping back in time 75 years. Likewise those trains look like they are from 50 years ago!! Wow.
The trains are indeed old
@@qjtvaddict SEPTA has newer trains and would have been able to retire these altogether if they hadn't been forced to cancel their Chinese train order due to poor manufacturing performance.
1:40 - This door does not open.
I'm surprise don't mention a center island platforms. I think it would serve Media and the railyard well
Sweet!
I find it strange that the end of the Norristown has had an elavated platform for as long as I can remember, but other stops you'd think would be more popular don't. Used to walk from my house on Astor (the first residential street behind the large warehouses) to the train whenever we went into the city.
AFAIK, federal funding cannot be used on stations without full length high-level platforms unless adding it is part of what the funding is being used for.
I would hope I-76 and I-476 are not expanded. Pretty sure the construction of those highways and their interchange resulted in the demolition in 120 homes in West Conshohocken, the decline of West Conshohocken's population, and the stagnation of West Conshohocken's growth. West Conshohocken suffered so that Conshohocken could thrive.
But yeah the traffic going to Philly is horrible so I just opt to take the train from Conshohocken to Center City.
The only expansion to 476 is south of exit 9 where they’re going from 2-3 lanes hopefully. So conshohocken will be unaffected by that.
Traffic is not bad on Sunday 😂
SEPTIC should really sell key cards at Wawa!
That whole area has had quiet the turnaround as well
I'd agree for sure. I especially like all of the TOD around the station itself, and there is more on the way. I'd definitely take that over that parking garage idea that they had previously. I know there were complaints of parking being an issue if the goal was to get cars off of 76, but long term, TOD is the best call. Also, love the restaurants in Conshy. haven't visited one I don't like yet.
And SEPTA needs to get rid of those horrible concrete shelters. They make the system look run down.
@thetrainguy1: Those concrete stations go all the way back to 1955 and earlier the way they look.
In order for level boarding to actually speed trains, management must support its conductors when they refuse to wait for late or selfish passengers who sit in their cars until the train arrives. The only problems I have with this episode are the drama about station replacement schedule (11 years isn't an eternity) and his odd failure to mention that the Norristown line has a closed station (Shawmont) that's either the oldest or second oldest station remaining on an active passenger line (the other being in MD, I think) from the very beginnings of railroads.
Cornwells Hgts is a terrible name. It should be named I 95/Woodhaven to denote it real location and access.
What’s the most stupidest name
That's not a bad idea, especially for people who are new to the area. I like the old names, but in the world of public transportation, the most accurate names make life easier.
Raised platforms on the inside of turns shouldn't be as bad.
Septa can't be that underfunded when their whole system is electrified
That's the thing: They didn't electrify it. They inherited the electrified networks of the Pennsy and Reading. Plus, on a network wide level, electrified systems, while expensive to build are cheaper to maintain than diesel powered systems, so much so that SEPTA got rid of their diesel services by the 1980s. Essentially inheriting an electrified system is the dream scenario and SEPTA got it.
Wow, moving entire stations because they are in a curve, while developed countries around the world use retractable level bridges on their doors instead, which automatically close the gap to the platform. I wonder what might be the more economical way.
th-cam.com/users/shorts5D-TWksvc3Y?si=I3RF34sczsGKcAyk
The reason they closed the tunnel connecting EL & Trolleys to reach 30th Street Station of Pennsylvania Railroad is do to those who don't respect life as those who create stabbings, drug use and worse.
Add platform gap fillers it’s not that serious
OK, why not offer to pay for a new station since it's so important to you? Apparently you don't understand how Septa works. They get money from the Fed, State and local governments and they pay all their supporters to keep the board members on the board. Everyone else can take a flying leap through a rolling donut. Septa's motto is "The public and employees be damned". Septa isn't a transit agency it's a slush fund for the well connected.
It should turn into a jobs and transportation program with better frequency and cleaner transportation centers