In recognition of the 150th birthday of the borough of North Wales, Pa., the New Hope Railroad is hosting a series of four excursions on May 18. The excursions will be pulled by Baldwin-built 1925 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive No. 40.
But, out of an abundance of caution, SEPTA General Manager Jeff Knueppel says that SEPTA will take a track out of service for steam use only and cap the excursion train’s top speed to about 10 mph.
“To me, it’s just great advertising for everyone,” Knueppel tells Trains. “It introduces people to trains who might not think about it.”
He says there are always risks with allowing a steam locomotive on the property, but that the upside of having the community celebrate with the train “is worth it.”
The 40-minute excursions will traverse the Bethlehem Branch main line operated by the SEPTA Regional Rail commuter system. The former Reading Railroad line was operated by Conrail until 1983 and was an important link between the city of Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Departure times for the excursions will be 10:30 a.m. and 12, 1:30 and 3 p.m. from the SEPTA North Wales station. For information and tickets, visit www.newhoperailroad.com.
I use to live about 8 miles away from the stations in Lansdale and North Wales. I was in the area when the line from Norristown to West Point was returned to service. I recall 2101 (I think) came to the area about 30 years ago.
I’m going because it’s not too far from us, we live near Allentown. A very rare thing as PTC rules could prevent steam on SEPTA in the future unless New Hope can install PTC on #40. I wish they would go north though like as far as Telford on the freight only portion that lost diesel commuter service in late July, 1981. They ran diesel powered train rides from Lansdale to Souderton last year in conjunction with Penn Northeastern. The rides with #40 are heading south though toward Ambler and back. Where did the Welsh names come from for town names along that part like Penllyn, Gwynedd?