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Lansdale/Doylestown Line

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The Lansdale/Doylestown Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line connecting Center City Philadelphia to Doylestown in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Until 1981, diesel-powered trains continued on the Bethlehem Branch from Lansdale to Quakertown, Bethlehem, and Allentown.

Lansdale/Doylestown Line
Jenkintown–Wyncote station, a major stop on the Lansdale/Doylestown line in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
Overview
StatusOperating
LocalePhiladelphia
Montgomery County
Bucks County
Termini
Stations28
Websitesepta.org
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemSEPTA Regional Rail
Route numberR5 Doylestown and R5 Lansdale (1984–2010)
Operator(s)SEPTA
Depot(s)SEPTA Yards and maintenance facilities
Rolling stockElectric multiple units
Daily ridership6,884 (FY 2022)[1]
History
ElectrificationJuly 26, 1931 (1931-07-26)
Technical
CharacterGrade-separated and At-grade street running
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 12 kV 25 Hz AC
Route map
Map
Legend
34.4 mi
55.4 km
 Doylestown
PA-611.svg PA 611
32.8 mi
52.8 km
 Delaware Valley University
31.5 mi
50.7 km
 New Britain
29.7 mi
47.8 km
 Chalfont
27.5 mi
44.3 km
 Link Belt
26.8 mi
43.1 km
 Colmar
PA-309.svg PA 309
25.9 mi
41.7 km
 Fortuna
25.0 mi
40.2 km
 9th Street
Bethlehem Branch
24.4 mi
39.3 km
 Lansdale
PA-63.svg PA 63
Stony Creek Branch
23.5 mi
37.8 km
 Pennbrook
22.4 mi
36 km
 North Wales
Zone
 4 
3
US 202.svg US 202
20.0 mi
32.2 km
 Gwynedd Valley
18.8 mi
30.3 km
 Penllyn
17.3 mi
27.8 km
 Ambler
15.9 mi
25.6 km
 Fort Washington
I-276.svgPennsylvania Turnpike logo.svg I-276 / Penna Turnpike
PA-309.svg PA 309
13.9 mi
22.4 km
 Oreland
13.0 mi
20.9 km
 North Hills
WAR
to Warminster
11.9 mi
19.2 km
 Glenside
WTR
to West Trenton
10.8 mi
17.4 km
 Jenkintown–Wyncote
Zone
 3 
2
PA-611.svg PA 611
9.2 mi
14.8 km
 Elkins Park
8.4 mi
13.5 km
 Melrose Park
Zone
 2 
1
7.3 mi
11.7 km
 Fern Rock
FOX
to Fox Chase
PA-611.svg PA 611
 CHE
to Chestnut Hill East
5.1 mi
8.2 km
 Wayne Junction
US 1.svg US 1
 NOR
to Norristown–Elm Street
2.9 mi
4.7 km
 North Broad
Zone
 1 
C
2.1 mi
3.4 km
 Temple University
0.5 mi
0.8 km
 Jefferson
0 mi
0 km
 Suburban
Schuylkill River
0.9 mi
1.4 km
 30th Street
Atlantic City LineAmtrak
This diagram:

Restored service has been proposed, but is not planned by SEPTA. The line is currently used by the East Penn Railroad, serving Quakertown's industrial complexes and distribution centers. With 6,884 daily riders every weekday in FY 2022, it is the second busiest line in SEPTA's Regional Rail network.[2]

History

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20th century

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A Reading Company Silverliner II at Doylestown in 1970

The Lansdale/Doylestown Line utilizes what is known as the SEPTA Main Line, a four-track line that has been owned by SEPTA since 1983. Prior to that, it was owned by Conrail between 1976 and 1983 and by the Reading Railroad before 1976. The main part of the line, from Philadelphia north to Lansdale, was part of the Reading Railroad's northbound route from Philadelphia to Bethlehem, and then to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.

Originally arriving and departing at the former Reading Terminal, now part of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the line has, since 1985, been directly connected to the ex-PRR/Penn Central side by the Center City Commuter Rail Tunnel. Unlike the ex-PRR/Penn Central Paoli/Thorndale Line it is often paired with for through-service, the ex-RDG line was not as heavily built, as the RDG segregated its through-freight and passenger movements. While the four-track section between the tunnel and Wayne Junction and the two-track section from Wayne Junction to Jenkintown are grade-separated, the two-track section from Jenkintown to Lansdale and the single track from Lansdale to Doylestown has both at-grade railroad crossings and over- and underpasses.[3]

Electrified service between Philadelphia and Hatboro, Lansdale, Doylestown and West Trenton was opened on July 26, 1931. Equipment consisted of dark green painted electric multiple unit cars built at the Reading's own shops. Some of the cars were rebuilt during the 1960s receiving air conditioning, refreshed interior and a new blue paint scheme resulting in their being referred to as "Blueliners". Today, the line uses the Silverliner family of EMU cars which operate throughout SEPTA's Regional Rail system.[3]

Service to Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley languished due to the post-World War II surge of the automobile as well as the opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension in 1957. Service north of Lansdale in the non-electrified territory was terminated by SEPTA on July 29, 1981.[3] Trackage north of Quakertown was dismantled after the railbed was leased for use as the interim Saucon Rail Trail.

 
 

Between 1984–2010 the route was designated R5 Doylestown and R5 Lansdale as part of SEPTA's diametrical reorganization of its lines. Lansdale and Doylestown trains operated through the city center to the Paoli Line on the ex-Pennsylvania side of the system.[4]

21st century

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In the early 2000s, upgrades were made to several stations to make them ADA-accessible by giving them elevated platforms. In 2005, construction began[5] on a new station at Fort Washington which was moved 300 feet to the south.[6] In 2007, construction began to reconstruct the platforms at North Wales station and build a new station atop the existing footprint.[7] In 2008, construction began to build a new station at Ambler across the street from the existing station.[7] All three projects were complete by 2010.[8][9]

The R-number naming system was dropped on July 25, 2010.[10] As of 2022, most Lansdale/Doylestown Line trains continue through Center City to Wilmington or Newark on the Wilmington/Newark Line on weekdays and to Malvern or Thorndale on the Paoli/Thorndale Line on weekends.[11]

On August 29, 2011, SEPTA adjusted the midday service pattern to encourage ridership at Colmar station, which had available parking capacity immediately adjacent to Pennsylvania Route 309. Previously, every other train turned back at Lansdale; those trains then continued on to call at Colmar before terminating at Link Belt, providing half-hourly service at Colmar between the morning and afternoon rush hours.[12][13]

On December 18, 2011, SEPTA eliminated weekend service at Link Belt and New Britain due to low ridership.[13][14] In the fall of 2012, New Britain was added back to the weekend schedule as a flag stop.[15][16]

A large parking garage opened at Lansdale station on April 17, 2017, offering space for over 600 vehicles.[17][18] 9th Street station opened nearby in 2015 as an alternate parking location during construction,[19] and remains open as part of planned transit-oriented development.[20]

SEPTA activated positive train control on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line from Doylestown to Glenside on June 13, 2016. Positive train control was activated from Glenside to Fern Rock on December 12, 2016 and from Fern Rock to 30th Street on January 9, 2017.[21]

On April 9, 2020, service on the line was truncated to Lansdale due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Service to Doylestown resumed on June 22, 2020.[22][23] While service has resumed, it remains more limited than before the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during peak hours.

Before the pandemic, during peak hours there were 10 trains in the morning (arriving in Center City from open until 9:30 a.m.) and 11 peak trains in the afternoon (leaving Center City between 4 and 7 p.m.).[24][25] Of the peak morning trains, 5 originated in Doylestown, 2 originated in Colmar, and 3 originated in Lansdale. Five of the peak morning trains were express trains; 3 were express from Fort Washington to Temple University and 2 were express from Jenkintown to Temple University.[25] Of the peak afternoon trains, 5 terminated at Lansdale, 1 terminated at Link Belt, and 5 terminated at Doylestown. Five of the peak afternoon trains were express trains; 4 were express from Temple University to Fort Washington and 1 was express from Temple University to North Wales.[25]

Through the first half of 2024, during the same peak hours, there are only 7 trains in the morning and 6 peak trains in the afternoon.[26] Of the morning trains, only 4 are express trains; one is express from Fort Washington to Temple University, and 3 are express from Jenkintown to Temple University.[26] Only three of the afternoon trains are express; one is express from Temple University to Jenkintown and 1 was express from Temple University to Fort Washington.[26] Beginning in September 2024, SEPTA is restoring up to 80% pre-pandemic capacity across the System.[27] On the Lansdale/Doylestown Line, this means 8 peak trains in the morning and 8 peak trains in the afternoon with roughly half express trains. Of the morning, two express from Fort Washington to Temple University, and 3 are express from Jenkintown to Temple University, while in the afternoon, two express from Temple University to Jenkintown and 2 was express from Temple University to Fort Washington.[28]

Stations

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The Reading Company constructed the current building at Jenkintown–Wyncote station in 1932
 
Penllyn station opened in 1930
 
Lansdale station, a major station along the line
 
Colmar station in 2006
 
Doylestown station, which serves as the terminus of the Lansdale/Doylestown Line

The Lansdale/Doylestown Line makes the following station stops after leaving the Center City Commuter Connection; stations indicated with a gray background are closed.

Zone[29] Station Miles (km)
from
Center City 		Date opened Connections / notes
C Temple University   2.1 (3.4) 1911   SEPTA Regional Rail: all lines
1 North Broad   2.9 (4.7) 1929   SEPTA Regional Rail:      Manayunk/​Norristown Line
  SEPTA Metro:   Broad Street Line
  SEPTA City Bus: 4, 16, 54
The station was known as North Broad Street until 1992.
Wayne Junction   5.1 (8.2) 1881   SEPTA Regional Rail:      Airport Line,      Chestnut Hill East Line,      Fox Chase Line,      Warminster Line,      West Trenton Line
  SEPTA City Bus: 2, 23, 53
  SEPTA Trackless Trolley: 75
Logan One of four stations discontinued by SEPTA on October 4, 1992.[30]
Tabor
Fern Rock Transportation Center   7.3 (11.7) September 9, 1956   SEPTA Regional Rail:      Airport Line,      Warminster Line,      West Trenton Line
  SEPTA Metro:   Broad Street Line
  SEPTA City Bus:   4, 28, 57, 70
Philadelphia city line
2 Melrose Park   8.4 (13.5)     SEPTA Regional Rail:      Airport Line,      Warminster Line,      West Trenton Line
Elkins Park 9.2 (14.8) May 14, 1899[31]   SEPTA Regional Rail:      Airport Line,      Warminster Line,      West Trenton Line
  SEPTA City Bus: 28
The station was originally known as Elkins, but has also been known as Ashbourne.
3 Jenkintown–Wyncote 10.8 (17.4) 1859   SEPTA Regional Rail:      Airport Line,      Warminster Line,      West Trenton Line
  SEPTA City Bus: 77
The station was originally known as Jenkintown.
Glenside 11.9 (19.2)     SEPTA Regional Rail:      Airport Line,      Warminster Line
  SEPTA City Bus: 22, 77
North Hills 13.0 (20.9)  
Oreland 13.9 (22.4) 1890
Fellwick 14.8 (23.8) 1855[32] Known as Sandy Run from 1855–March 1884,[33] Camp Hill from March 1884–February 16, 1931,[34] and Sellwick.[34]
Closed on November 10, 1996 due to low ridership.[35]
Fort Washington   15.9 (25.6) 1903   SEPTA Suburban Bus: 94, 95, 201
Ambler   17.3 (27.8) 1855[32]   SEPTA Suburban Bus: 94, 95
The station was known as Wissahickon until 1869, when it was renamed after Mary Johnson Ambler, a local hero who helped in the Great Train Wreck of 1856.[32]
Penllyn 18.8 (30.3) 1930   SEPTA Suburban Bus: 94
Gwynedd Valley 20.0 (32.2) 1888
4 North Wales   22.4 (36.0) 1873[36]   SEPTA Suburban Bus: 96
Pennbrook   23.5 (37.8)     SEPTA Suburban Bus: 94
Lansdale   24.4 (39.3) February 7, 1903[37]   SEPTA Suburban Bus: 96, 132
9th Street   25.0 (40.2) November 15, 2015[38][39]
Fortuna   25.9 (41.7)     SEPTA Suburban Bus: 132
Colmar   26.8 (43.1) 1856 The station was called Line Lexington until 1871.
Link Belt   27.5 (44.3) December 2, 1952[40]
Chalfont   29.7 (47.8)     BCT: DART West
New Britain   31.5 (50.7)     BCT: DART West
Delaware Valley University   32.8 (52.8)     BCT: Doylestown DART, DART West
The station was named Farm School until the 1960s, reflecting the college's original name. The station was then called Delaware Valley College until 2015.
Doylestown   34.4 (55.4) 1871   SEPTA City Bus: 55
  BCT: Doylestown DART
  Trans-Bridge Lines (to New Hope and New York City)
  Greyhound Lines (to Allentown and Scranton)

Ridership

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Between FY 2013–FY 2019 yearly ridership on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line ranged between 4.6–5.0 million before collapsing during the COVID-19 pandemic.[note 1]

1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
FY 2013
FY 2014
FY 2015
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024

Notes

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

References

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  1. ^ a b SEPTA Data Group. "Route Operating Statistics". Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Route Operating Statistics". Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Williams, Gerry (1998). Trains, Trolleys & Transit: A Guide to Philadelphia Area Rail Transit. Piscataway, New Jersey: Railpace Company. pp. 80–83. ISBN 978-0-9621541-7-1.
  4. ^ Vuchic, Vukan; Kikuchi, Shinya (1984). General Operations Plan for the SEPTA Regional High Speed System. Philadelphia: SEPTA. pp. 2–8.
  5. ^ Campisi, Jon (2005-09-28). "Partnership works to revive Ft. Washington train station". thereporteronline. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  6. ^ "Fort Washington and Cheltenham Station Reconstruction Projects (SEPTA)". Archived from the original on 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  7. ^ a b "SEPTA Capital Improvements In Montgomery County". 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  8. ^ SEPTA Operating Budget FY 2010 (PDF). Philadelphia, PA: SEPTA. 2009-09-22.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. ^ Nussbaum, Paul (2009-05-29). "Many SEPTA stations to get makeovers". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  10. ^ Lustig, David (November 2010). "SEPTA makeover". Trains Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing: 26.
  11. ^ "Lansdale/Doylestown Line schedule" (PDF). SEPTA. December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "SEPTA adds more Colmar stops". September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  13. ^ a b "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective December 18, 2011" (PDF). SEPTA. 2011-12-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-26.
  14. ^ "New schedules coming for SEPTA routes". The Philadelphia Tribune. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  15. ^ "Weekend Train Service Restored to New Britain". Doylestown, PA Patch. 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  16. ^ "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective September 9, 2012" (PDF). SEPTA. 2012-09-09. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-19.
  17. ^ "Lansdale Parking Garage". SEPTA. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  18. ^ Stamm, Dan (April 17, 2017). "SEPTA Adds Hundreds of Parking Spots to Montgomery County Regional Rail Station". Philadelphia, PA: WCAU-TV. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  19. ^ "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective November 15, 2015" (PDF). SEPTA. 2015-11-15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-07.
  20. ^ "9th Street Station". SEPTA. Archived from the original on November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  21. ^ "Positive Train Control Update". SEPTA. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  22. ^ "Service Information". SEPTA. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  23. ^ "SEPTA Regional Rail & Rail Transit Lifeline Service" (PDF). SEPTA. 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "SEPTA: Lansdale/Doylestown Schedule Effective 2009" (PDF). SEPTA. 2009-06-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  25. ^ a b c "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective December 15, 2019" (PDF). SEPTA. 2019-12-15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-01-10.
  26. ^ a b c "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective January 7, 2024" (PDF). SEPTA. 2024-01-07. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  27. ^ "New Fall Regional Rail Schedule Changes Effective Sunday, September 8 – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority". SEPTA. Archived from the original on 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  28. ^ "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective September 8, 2024" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-08-27.
  29. ^ "Lansdale/Doylestown Line Timetable" (PDF). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. September 10, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  30. ^ "New Rail Schedules Set". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 2, 1992. p. 36. Retrieved October 19, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  31. ^ "Elkins Station Opened at Ogontz Park". The Philadelphia Times. May 15, 1899. p. 3. Retrieved July 3, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.  
  32. ^ a b c Ambler Borough Open Space Plan. Montgomery County Planning Commission (Report). 2006. p. 2. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  33. ^ "Railroad Notes". The Harrisburg Daily Independent. March 27, 1884. p. 1. Retrieved April 17, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  34. ^ a b "Camp Hill Station". The Harrisburgh Telegraph. February 16, 1931. p. 16. Retrieved April 17, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  35. ^ Dougherty, Frank (October 25, 1996). "Septa Board Cuts Service But Opposition Is Spirited". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  36. ^ Schlegel, Bradley (June 21, 2009). "SEPTA Plans NW Train Station Renovation". The Reporter. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  37. ^ "New Station is Opened". The Buffalo Enquirer. February 7, 1903. p. 6. Retrieved April 17, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  38. ^ McQuade, Dan (November 13, 2015). "SEPTA Opening First New Train Station in 20 Years". Philly Magazine. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  39. ^ Sokil, Dan (November 5, 2015). "SEPTA, Lansdale planning soft opening for Ninth Street rail station". The Reporter. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  40. ^ "Link Belt Opens New Philadelphia Plant". The Wilkes-Barre Record. December 2, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved April 17, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
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40°14′35″N 75°17′07″W / 40.24305°N 75.28537°W / 40.24305; -75.28537

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