Route 59 Alma Loop , and Route 59 Trolley pre Septa

What was the Castor-Alma loop used for and why was it built? Also when the 59 was a trolley, did it follow the same route as the current 59?

The 59 used to have express service like the 66. The express zone was from the Blvd to Cottman. During peak periods, the expresses went to Bells Corner and the locals turned back at Alma.

As far as the trolley routing, it was pretty much the same.

ekt8750 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2020 9:51 pm The 59 used to have express service like the 66. The express zone was from the Blvd to Cottman. During peak periods, the expresses went to Bells Corner and the locals turned back at Alma.

As far as the trolley routing, it was pretty much the same.

is the loop still used?

The current Rte. 59 weekday schedule doesn't show any short turn trips, all are scheduled to go to the end of the line.
The side sign for the express trips read, but abbreviated: 59 Express South of Levick St.
Short turns for Rte. 59 trackless were signed Castor - Hellerman and Castor - Bleigh.
The trolley ran up Oxford Ave. to Castor Ave. to Bustleton Ave. to Lott St. In later years, it ran through the middle of Oxford Circle, before then, it used single track on the East side of the circle. For its last 2 years, it was cut back to Cottman Ave. and usually looped via Arrott and Penn Sts. At some times while repairs were being made to the Pennypack Creek bridge, the trolley was cut back to Rhawn St.

When the 59 was a trolley, did the single-track sections have any form of signaling?

There are photos, especially at Rhawn St. on Rte. 59, showing the contactors on the overhead wire for the trolley signals.

Thanks; I never got to ride it. I've also never seen a photo showing any signals; do you know whether they were Nachod, or something else?