by NortheastTrainMan
Hey guys,
Amtrak has a number of "local" or lesser served stops on the NEC. Two of which, both in the Philly area have always stood out to me, North Philadelphia & Cornwells Heights. They're served on weekdays by a very small amount of Keystones & Regionals, but why? I've been on a few trains that stopped there and the stops are normally quick and I barely see anyone at them.
North Philadelphia has routinely been abysmal in the course of my life. I'm well aware that earlier in the 20th Century that it was a MAJOR hub, along with the neighboring Broad Street Line (also North Philadelphia) & Reading Railroad (North Broad) Stations. So much so that a number of trains heading west (Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and beyond) stopped there instead of 30th Street and took the subway at Zoo interlocking. But by the end of the 20th Century and thus far in the 21st Century it's been pretty much a shady ghost town. It's not in the nicest part of Philly at the moment either. Albeit I've read a few articles discussing potential new developments in the area, for the past 30 years or so it hasn't been a bustling area for intercity rail traffic, barely for commuter traffic. I think SEPTA actually wanted to shut the station down at one point but were pushed / forced to keep it open. PHN at least according to Wikipedia only had 2,006 Passengers in 2018 for Amtrak I believe.
As for Cornwells Heights, I can understand that to an extent given the larger parking lot, more passengers (3,673 in 2019 for Amtrak via Wikipedia). Even though I find it odd how CWH lacks high level platforms, but both Croydon & Levittown have them. Anyways, I see potential for Cornwells Heights, but right now it doesn't seem to have enough people to justify intercity rail traffic.
On another note, Princeton Junction & New Brunswick make sense in my opinion as "local" Amtrak stops. I normally see at the bare minimum moderate crowds there. But in the Philly area it borders on desolate most of the time.
From the outside looking in, these stations, ESPECIALLY PHN seem to be open for bureaucratic reasons only.
If anyone could shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. I would imagine they serve a purpose for some people, but I can't really imagine someone traveling on intercity rail to go to North Philly or Cornwells Heights, or travel from there. But who knows? Also, if I misspoke on anything, let me know.
Amtrak has a number of "local" or lesser served stops on the NEC. Two of which, both in the Philly area have always stood out to me, North Philadelphia & Cornwells Heights. They're served on weekdays by a very small amount of Keystones & Regionals, but why? I've been on a few trains that stopped there and the stops are normally quick and I barely see anyone at them.
North Philadelphia has routinely been abysmal in the course of my life. I'm well aware that earlier in the 20th Century that it was a MAJOR hub, along with the neighboring Broad Street Line (also North Philadelphia) & Reading Railroad (North Broad) Stations. So much so that a number of trains heading west (Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and beyond) stopped there instead of 30th Street and took the subway at Zoo interlocking. But by the end of the 20th Century and thus far in the 21st Century it's been pretty much a shady ghost town. It's not in the nicest part of Philly at the moment either. Albeit I've read a few articles discussing potential new developments in the area, for the past 30 years or so it hasn't been a bustling area for intercity rail traffic, barely for commuter traffic. I think SEPTA actually wanted to shut the station down at one point but were pushed / forced to keep it open. PHN at least according to Wikipedia only had 2,006 Passengers in 2018 for Amtrak I believe.
As for Cornwells Heights, I can understand that to an extent given the larger parking lot, more passengers (3,673 in 2019 for Amtrak via Wikipedia). Even though I find it odd how CWH lacks high level platforms, but both Croydon & Levittown have them. Anyways, I see potential for Cornwells Heights, but right now it doesn't seem to have enough people to justify intercity rail traffic.
On another note, Princeton Junction & New Brunswick make sense in my opinion as "local" Amtrak stops. I normally see at the bare minimum moderate crowds there. But in the Philly area it borders on desolate most of the time.
From the outside looking in, these stations, ESPECIALLY PHN seem to be open for bureaucratic reasons only.
If anyone could shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. I would imagine they serve a purpose for some people, but I can't really imagine someone traveling on intercity rail to go to North Philly or Cornwells Heights, or travel from there. But who knows? Also, if I misspoke on anything, let me know.
As evidenced by my username, I'm a Man who's a fan of trains in the Northeast US.
Check out my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@northeasttrainman for various Train Videos, both virtual & real life.
Be good & cheers.
Check out my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@northeasttrainman for various Train Videos, both virtual & real life.
Be good & cheers.