Construction Talk:
Warminster (R2) Modernization

Customer safety is a top priority at SEPTA and a driving force behind the modernization of its Regional Rail infrastructure.  Slated to begin shortly, customers on the Warminster Line will see the reflective yellow safety jackets of SEPTA Engineering, Maintenance & Construction crews hard at work making improvements to the track, signal and highway crossings in order to increase travel reliability over the branch. A major element to the Warminster Line modernization is the installation of an Automatic Train Control system (ATC).  Three principles make up ATC – keeping trains a safe distance apart from each other, enforcing the speed limits of the track, and ensuring the train stops when a signal indicates.     Automatic Train Control will eliminate the need for signals, like the ones in these pictures, along the track area. But how does this all work?  ATC signals are much like traffic lights on a highway, only with a twist.  Green means go, red means stop and yellow says proceed with caution.  The twist, however, is ATC signals get displayed inside where the train is being run from, instead of hanging outside like highway traffic lights do.  That effectively means the operator of the train, the Engineer, always knows what color the signal is and can instantly react as soon as the signal change. Once installed, the Automatic Train Control system will help add capacity to the track by allowing trains to be run closer together.  The addition of the Warminster ATC system is part of an Authority-wide goal to control 87% of the 210 miles of Regional Rail track by Automatic Train Control. An additional interlocking, or track switch, will allow more flexible train movements outside Warminster Station. The modernization will upgrade to a remotely controlled interlocking near Roslyn and Willow Grove, while adding a third outside Warminster station.  The fundamental principle behind an interlocking, or track switch, is to move trains between one track and another.  The remote control portion links to the SEPTA Control Center for computers and dispatchers to control the intended path of trains.  The upgrade to Roslyn interlocking will permit trains to travel up to 45 MPH through the switch, while the additional interlocking at Warminster allows a train up to eight cars long to pass another train near the station.   New pedestrian warning devices will be included at Warminster (left), Crestmont (right) and Willow Grove stations. New warning devices are set to be installed along the rail line.  At Crestmont, Willow Grove and Warminster station, pedestrians will soon receive a visual and audible warning when trains are approaching the station.  These devices identify the direction a train is traveling from and provide adequate warning so the tracks remain clear.  The vehicle grade crossing at the intersection of Easton and Susquehanna Road nearby Roslyn Station will be completely replaced and upgraded with the latest safety enhancements.  For the first time, crossing gates will be installed, making the Easton and Susquehanna intersection the last of the Regional Rail public grade crossings to have this feature installed.   The intersection of Easton Road & Susquehanna Road will soon have crossing arms, or "gates", to block the intersection when a train passes. Modernization of the Regional Rail infrastructure enables SEPTA to provide more frequent, more reliable train service.  Customers can relax and catch up on some work knowing SEPTA will get them there. A view approaching Roslyn Station.

Bus Schedule Updates
The schedules for Bus Routes 17, 37, 55, 58, and 70 have been revised for Spring 2008, the updated schedule are now available online. 

Preview Regional Rail Schedules 
New Regional Rail Schedules will go into effect March 23, 2008.  SEPTA has posted previews of these upcoming schedule changes in order to aid our customers in future trip planning.  Please keep in mind that these schedules are subject to change before the posted effective date.  Text schedules will be posted online when the schedules take effect.  Paper schedules are available in our terminals, sales locations and through Customer Service (215-580-7800) prior to the effective date.  Riders should also look out for "Keeping Track" posters on Trains and in Train Stations.

Good Friday (March 21) Holiday Schedules
Holiday schedules in effect on Good Friday, March 21, are available for preview.  

Broad Street Line Sports Express Service 
SEPTA also operates special Sports Express service on the Broad Street Line to a number of events in South Philadelphia, making stops at Fern Rock, Olney, Erie, Girard, Race-Vine, Spring Garden, City Hall and Walnut-Locust en route to Pattison Station.  The next upcoming events are:

Event	Date	Time	Location
Thrashers at Flyers	3/18	7 p.m.	Wachovia Center
Nuggets at 76ers	3/19	7 p.m.	Wachovia Center

Public Hearing on SEPTA's Fiscal Year 2009 Capital
Budget and Fiscal Years 2009-2020 Capital Program
SEPTA has schedule public hearing for the purpose of considering SEPTA’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Capital Budget and Fiscal Years 2009-2020 Capital Program and the projects contained therein for which financial assistance is being sought.   More information on hearing dates and locations.

Public Hearing on SEPTA's Fiscal Year 2009 Operating
Budget and Fiscal Years 2010-2014 Financial Plan
SEPTA has scheduled public hearings on SEPTA’s Proposed Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009 (Fiscal Year 2009) and Five Year Financial Plan.  More information on hearing dates and locations.

Clean Air Run
SEPTA is a proud sponsor of the Clean Air Council's 27th 5K Run for Clean Air, which will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008.  The 5K course is flat, fast and winds through the park along the Schuylkill River along Martin Luther King Drive (by the Philadelphia Museum of Art).  The run starts at 9:00 a.m. and registration begins at 7:30 a.m. but you can save $5 on the registration fee by registering in advance.

Community Meeting for Route 11 Track Renewal Project
SEPTA plans to excavate, renew and repave approximately 4,000 feet of trolley track along Woodland Avenue between 60th Street to 68th Street. An open forum will be held 6:00pm on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the 12th District Police Station Roll Call Room, 65th & Woodland Avenue. Visit the Southwest CDC website for additional community information.

Comment on Route 150, 205 and 306 Proposals
SEPTA proposes to make permanent experimental Route 150 operating between Plymouth Meeting Mall and Philadelphia Park Race Track & Casino as well as to make Routes 205 and 306 permanent.  SEPTA will hold public hearings concerning these Tariffs and is currently seeing public comments regarding these proposals.

Next SEPTA Participated Event
SEPTA appears at events around the region to promote the benefits of riding transit.  Our Events page has a complete listing of those upcoming events.

Senior Expo

March 19, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

South Philadelphia High School
2101 South Broad Street
Philadelphia PA  19148

Take  Bus Route 2, 23, 37 and 79; Broad Street Line