There has been a feasibilty study by Septa about restoring comuter rail service on the Octoraro Branch from Avondale to Wawa. There is supposed to be a new Wawa station built at the old interchange, this is already confirmed, (the station that is). The study was done to show if due to new home construction in Chester County and western Delaware County warrants a new rail line. Septa owns the tracks from Avondale to Chadds Ford. The rails from Chadds Ford to Wawa have long been abandoned, and in most cases are no longer there. If this is to be done, there would be quite a disruption of some homes and businesses in Delaware COunty.

The urgency for this has recently become more apparent by the Federal Governments EPA ozone report on the area. Ozone levels in all of the surrounding counties is too high, and the states have until 2010 to get them in line. Since more car traffic is expected to only increase every year until then, the only viable option is rail service.

The money to rebuild will not come from the state. If the feasibility study shows enough of a demand, the railroad could get a federal grant to rebuild. This grant would have the backing of the EPA.

Not only would this benefit commuters in Southeastern Pennsylvania, but it could also benefit those in Delaware, as providing another link by rail to the Western suburbs and Philadelphia.

JW

bowker@yahoo.com

This is the line that once hosted the former Wawa and Concordville RR that has been the subject of some extensive research by Mr. Bell. While I am alway happy to see rail being put to good use I would not expect to see anything happen for a long time. SEPTA is bogged down in money problem, they have not run a non electrified line in over 20 years, and the NIMBYs will be out in force.

Tom Gears

From what I've heard, SEPTA won't pay for it, it would be a grant from the federal government. The earliest it could be up is 2010, but 2012 is much more likely. Apparently, reaction from locals was partially addressed in the feasability study. The initial reaction was not as negative as you may think. This will not be a freight railroad, but a comuter line, that will serve the NIMBY's.

I did hear more on it today. Apparently, they are looking at possibly using diesel powered light rail if they do proceed. Septa has owned the trackage rights since the fall of the Penn Central.

JW


Bowker@yahoo.com