Amtrak removing track #2 from "Keystone" line

[mestevet]

In this thread on creating curved stone arch bridges:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=277320

We got a little off topic and started talking about the bridge at Coatesville, PA on the ex-PRR Philly-Harrisburg "Mainline", now Amtrak's "Keystone Corridor". I showed a couple of views of the bridge including one from track level, and it was noted by "kingconrail76" that he just went by there and saw that they were taking up Track #2 (along here the tracks are numbered 1-4 from south to north). Track #3 was removed some time ago.

Having heard that, I had to go take a look for myself. I got a before and after shot, trying to get as close to the same location and angle as I had in the initial photo:

Before (April 25, 2007)


After (December 20, 2008)


As far as I can tell, the track was being taken up between Parkesburg and Thorndale. You can also see that the catenary over tracks 2 and the non-existent 3 is still in place in the first photo, but gone from both in the second. Track 2 appeared to be in place between Thorndale (west of Thorndale SEPTA station) and Frazer, where it is used to acces the SEPTA Frazer maintenance facility, and discontinues again between there and Paoli.

It's just a little sad to see another piece of the grand PRR "Broad Way" disappear.

Steve

[NorthShore_364]

It's a shame they tore it out, although admittedly the after photo looks somewhat "cleaner" minus Track 2.

The track 2 between Park and Thorn had been little used ever since Conrail stopped running freights on the A&S "Low Grade" branch about twenty years ago. I'm surprised the track stayed around for that long afterwards but given the upgrading that is being done to the Philly-Harrisburg main I guess they deemed it expendable, which is not much of a surprise I guess.

[TrirailF40PHL]

Bolted rail - no wonder it was ripped up. Curiously, what is the speed limit in this area?

-Kurt

[chucksc]

good question Kurt - I do know that the HBG line upgrades increased the MAS on the HBG line to 110mph but I don't know what it is right there....

Steve do you know?

[mestevet]

good question Kurt - I do know that the HBG line upgrades increased the MAS on the HBG line to 110mph but I don't know what it is right there....

Steve do you know?

I'm not sure what it is right there either. The trains do rip through there if there's no station stop at Coatesville, so I'm guessing it's at least 90 mph. I concur that the maximum track speed was raised to 110 with the upgrade of the line, but I haven't seen anything on the various speed limits at places.

Incidentally, the #2 track between Thorndale and Frazer IS still used. SEPTA returns equipment from Thorndale to the Frazer shops on track #2 (obviously at reduced speed) after the evening rush. I think NS uses the track to access the Trenton cutoff (to get between Coatesville and Abrams {edit - I actually should have said "Ernest" but I goofed}, I guess) but I've never actually seen an NS train on that track (based mostly on my available hours to view).

Push-pull returning from Thorndale to Frazer:


Steve

[hiball 3985]

Great picture. I'm assuming thats the Conductor riding in the center window. What version is that car?

Happy Holidays Jim

[kingconrail76]

Great documentation Steve.

I am not sure of the speed limit between Thorn and Park either, but after the concrete ties and welded rail were installed West of Park, they seem to have raised the limit to atleast 110 mph, possibly 120mph, between the old Christiana Station and (atleast) Leaman Place (heading West.).

I "paced" and AEM-7 and six coaches one night, on Rt 741 West of Gap, and at 105mph, He was pulling away from me STRONG. (*wink*grin*)

Also, I just remembered, Years ago, while still Conrail, the Turn from Lancaster, that served what's left of the A&S, would have to go to Thorn (as Park was "locked" that time of night) before returning to Lancaster. I recall several occations when the crew would Layover on Track 2, and walk down to the Wawa in Caln (just East of Coatesville) for a late night snack.