Take a Ride on the Reading

SEPTA Trip to Doylestown, July 2, 2013

On Tuesday, July 2^nd, my brother Sean and I rode SEPTA from 30^th Street Station to Market East where we changed trains, then via the old Reading Company to Doylestown via Lansdale.

Lumix LX3 view of the cast iron sign on Market Street in front of Reading Terminal.

SEPTA Silverliner Vs at Market East station, Philadelphia. Exposed with a Lumix LX3.

There’s lots of history along the way. SEPTA’s facilities at Wayne Junction reminded me of a railway museum. Perhaps they should give tours! Also, it has been 37 years since the Reading ran its own trains.

On April 1, 1976, Reading was among the lines blended into Conrail. While, 30 years ago, SEPTA was among the public organizations that assumed operations of commuter routes from Conrail.

The route from Wayne Junction to Lansdale is populated with a variety of vintage railway stations, some of them nicely restored.

The line is single track from Lansdale to Doylestown and has the feeling of an early 20^th century interurban line; we passed fields of corn and forests, rural grade crossings and pastoral scenes.

Doylestown itself is the end of the line. The town is quaint and filled with numerous establishments where one can spend money. Among the attractions is the Mercer Museum.