Talk:Swampoodle Connection

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Sources[edit]

Sources I've consulted so far:

  • Vuchic, Vukan; Kikuchi, Shinya (1985). "Planning an Integrated Regional Rail Network: Philadelphia Case". Transportation Research Record (1036): 51–62.
  • Vuchic, Vukan; Kikuchi, Shinya (April 1993). "A Plan for SEPTA's Regional Metrorail System" (PDF).

Neither discusses the proposed connection in detail. There's an oblique reference to the possibility (maybe) on page 8-28 of the 1993 proposal: "Lines R-3 or R-8, operating exclusively on SEPTA's rights-of-way..." R3 was an all-SEPTA routing at that time, but the R8 (then Fox Chase/Chestnut Hill West) used the Northeast Corridor between 30th Street Station and North Philadelphia. There's a note on page 54 of the 1985 source which states that in "Stage 1" or the "interim stage" Chestnut Hill West is in the "Western Division" but that in "Stage 2" (final stage) it moves to the "Northern Division." The track map suggests a junction between where the Norristown Line diverges and Wayne Junction. On page 59, figure 9 recommends pairing the Chestnut Hill West line with the "West Chester Line", now the Media/Elwyn Line. The Newtown/Fox Chase line was paired with "Bryn Mawr" (short turn on Paoli?). There's a further plan on page 61 showing Chestnut Hill West as part of the R3 and flowing into West Chester. A note in text says "Other operational details and implementation plans such as the staged introduction on the Airport line and switching of the Chestnut Hill West line from a Western Division line to a Northern Division line were also prepared." I'm assuming that refers to this document:

  • Vuchic, Vukan; Kikuchi, Shinya (1984). General Operations Plan for the SEPTA Regional High Speed System. Philadelphia: SEPTA.

I'll have to see about finding it. Mackensen (talk) 18:00, 19 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

  • I've found it. As expected, it's a more detailed version of the 1985 document. Re-routing Chestnut Hill West was one of several Stage 2 proposals, along with infill stations on the Airport Line and electrification between Fox Chase and Newtown. On a quick read-over the SEPTA Regional Rail article doesn't discuss the diametric concept behind the Pennsylvania/Reading lines merger. In the absence of any further documentation, I think there should be a rewritten history section dealing with that concept, which would mention this proposed junction. This article would then redirect there. Mackensen (talk) 17:30, 21 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]