SEPTA officials looking to return regional train service to West Chester NEWSWIRE

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — It’s been almost 32 years since the last SEPTA commuter train left West Chester, west of Philadelphia. Officials with the regional commuter agency say they’re considering restoration of service to the Chester County seat. A regional planning organization working with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Transportation Authority estimates up to 2,000 people a day might eventually ride the revived trains.

The service was cut back to Elwyn, Pa., 12.4 miles to the east, in 1986. SEPTA plans to restore service on an additional three miles, to Wawa, by summer 2020. Construction will begin this summer, including restoration of track, new catenary supports and signals, along with a new station and a 600-vehicle parking deck. The project is expected to cost $150 million.

The track to West Chester remains in place, although the catenary has been removed, and tourist carrier West Chester Railroad operates diesel-hauled trains from West Chester to Glen Mills. SEPTA runs work trains as far as a large quarry just east of Glen Mills to load ballast trains.

SEPTA completed a feasibility study to restore service on the 9.4 miles from Wawa to West Chester last year and will hold a public meeting on Jan. 25 to reveal the results of the study. The state Department of Transportation, the regional planning commission and other agencies took part in the study.