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The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Established in 1936
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Railfan Pictures of the Day - 08/08/2006
| Former Reading and SEPTA Newtown Branch Montgomery County PA August 4 2006 |
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This is Part Two, Part One can be found here. The non-electrified portion of the Reading Company Newtown Branch, dormant since SEPTA discontinued RDC service north of Fox Chase in 1983, has been the subject of attention in recent years. In the last decade, various proposals (return of diesel service, extension of electrification, light rail) have been floated and sank without a trace. The Montgomery County Planning Commission and the Bucks County Planning Commission have jointly initiated a study to look into the feasibility of creating a busway and pedestrian trail along the right of way. Discussions about the current proposals and historical events can be found on the SEPTA forum at Railroad.NET. At Byberry Road in Montgomery County, the rusting rails sit alongside a new development of homes. During the work, the builder installed new curbs so that from the roadway .... |
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| .... this is all you see (that is, if you cared to notice). |
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| Looking south at Byberry, it is completely overgrown, with only the signal box as a reminder. |
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| Continuing south, the bridge over the Pennypack Creek at Terwood Road is still intact. |
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| Looking north from Welsh Road, the verdant green right of way looks almost idyllic, like something you would imagine you would see on a lightly used branch on the Emerald Isle or perhaps in Wales. |
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| Looking south, a return to nature, with half-buried ties barely visible in the gravel and, beyond that, trees, bushes, trees, vines, trees, weeds and more trees. |
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All pictures August 4 2006 Copyright © 2006 John P. Almeida Photographs for personal use only. All rights reserved by original owner of image. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without express written permission is prohibited. |
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Last Updated August 8, 2006
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Website created June 12, 2002
Website copyright © 2006 John P. Almeida
