Lansdale/Doylestown Line

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
Status	Operating
Locale	Philadelphia Montgomery County Bucks County
Termini	30th Street Station Doylestown
Stations	28
Website	septa.org
Service
Type	Commuter rail
System	SEPTA Regional Rail
Route number	R5 Doylestown and R5 Lansdale (1984–2010)
Operator(s)	SEPTA
Depot(s)	SEPTA Yards and maintenance facilities
Rolling stock	Electric multiple units
Daily ridership	6,884 (FY 2022)[1]
History
Electrification	July 26, 1931 (1931-07-26)
Technical
Character	Grade-separated and At-grade street running
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification	Overhead line, 12 kV 25 Hz AC
Route map Show interactive map Legend 34.4 mi 55.4 km Doylestown 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 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 Stony Creek Branch 23.5 mi 37.8 km Pennbrook 22.4 mi 36 km North Wales Zone  4  3 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 / Penna Turnpike 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 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 CHE to Chestnut Hill East 5.1 mi 8.2 km Wayne Junction 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 This diagram: view talk edit Show route diagram map

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

20th century

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

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^[update], 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.

Pre-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

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

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

Notes

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

References

1. SEPTA Data Group. "Route Operating Statistics". Retrieved February 22, 2024.
2. "Route Operating Statistics". Retrieved February 24, 2024.
3. 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. "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. "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. "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. "SEPTA Regional Rail Lansdale/Doylestown Line Schedule: Effective January 7, 2024" (PDF). SEPTA. 2024-01-07. Archived (PDF) from the original 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. 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. "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. 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.

External links

• "SEPTA – Lansdale/Doylestown line schedule" (PDF).

40.24305°N 75.28537°W / 40.24305; -75.28537