Two "Railfanning" Trips Out of Philadelphia

Philadelphia has long been a railroad city. Lying at the junction of a host of different railroads, Philadelphia's 30^th street station was in the days of the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad, and still is today for Amtrak, a major transportation hub for both suburban and intercity trains. Today, SEPTA operates eleven commuter rail lines throughout metropolitan Philadelphia and beyond, New Jersey Transit operates rail service to Atlantic City, NJ, and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor passes through the city. Additionally, the recently upgraded Keystone Corridor to Harrisburg terminates in the city of brotherly love.

While 30^th Street Station's underground, restricted access platforms provide few opportunities to "railfan", or watch trains, there are numerous trips that one can take to surrounding cities and towns for much better railfanning locales. All can be easily reached via SEPTA and NJT local trains; for a higher price, one can use Amtrak's faster and more comfortable service to some locations.

Trenton and Princeton Junction: Both located on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), these two cities offer a plethora and variety of trains; at least half a day should be planned to visit both. From Center City, take the R7 bound for Trenton, which runs roughly hourly off peak. (It is advised to purchase your NJT tickets, if needed, from the machine in the upper level of 30^th street, as the connections in Trenton can be tight.) After an approximately fifty minute ride along the NEC, you'll arrive in Trenton on track 5. Trenton has five tracks served by two island platforms and one side platform; tracks 4 and 5 share one of the island platforms, while tracks 1 and 2 share the other. Track 3, served by a side, low level platform, is rarely used. The 1970's station is currently being replaced with a much nicer structure.

Trenton offers a wonderful spot to railfan. NJT Arrow III and Comet consists frequently arrive and depart, Amtrak long distance trains, Regionals, and Keystones stop here, Amtrak's Acela Express speeds through often, and a SEPTA Silverliner consist appears every once in a while. Unless you desire to ride on NJT or watch Amtrak trains at speed, you might as well stay in Trenton.

For those continuing on, almost every arriving R7 connects with an NJT NEC line train to New York City; these trains will usually wait on each other. Most likely, the NJT connection will depart from either track 1 or track 2, meaning that you'll have to walk up into the station and back down onto the other platform. After a short jaunt up the NEC, your train will arrive in Princeton Junction. This station offers a café in the basement. Princeton Junction has four NEC tracks and two side platforms; additionally, a separate platform and track serve the Princeton Shuttle, or "Dinky", a one car Arrow III train that shuttles passengers from here to Princeton.

Frequent NJT service will bring you as far back as Trenton; be sure to check the timetable to make sure that you'll be able to catch a SEPTA train back to Philly.

Wilmington: Wilmington's historic station located seconds from the Delaware River in downtown Wilmington, DE offers a great place to railfan and see a great city. From Center City, take the R2 bound for Wilmington or Newark, DE; be aware that many R2 trains only run as far as Marcus Hook, PA. A roughly hour long high speed rife down the NEC awaits you, after which the train will arrive on track 1 in Wilmington's historic Penn Station. While only Amtrak passengers are permitted on the high level platform between tracks 2 and 3, anyone riding SEPTA can wait on track 1's low level platform and railfan. From there, you can easily photograph northbound Amtrak trains in the station, southbound trains are best photographed as they enter or leave the station. Once you tire or for those in your party to whom railfanning has little appeal, downtown Wilmington's waterfront and downtown restaurants and attractions are reachable on foot, or with the free, circulating trolley (actually a bus). The R2 will provide a comfortable ride back to Philadelphia.

Whether you're a seasoned railfan or someone who wants to experience an extremely busy, famous rail line, these two day trips are cost efficient and provide a great alternative, less "touristy" activity. These can be combined with a visit to the cities through which the train passes or even with an Amtrak trip! These trips provide a great way to try a the exciting hobby of "railfanning"!