Construction Talk:
Catenary Replacement

Replacing catenary up to 80 years old helps keep the Regional Rail system in a state of good repair. If you stop and notice, every SEPTA Regional Rail train is powered by electricity.  The entire system is electrified through a web of wires, commonly known as catenary, hanging above the railroad tracks.  Imagine how crucial it is that this catenary remains in satisfactory condition.  To underscore the importance, SEPTA Power forces have labored since 2001 to meticulously identify and replace worn catenary dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.  Modernizing the wires increased the railroad’s performance and reliability for our riding customers.   A view of the Wire Train and other equipment used to replace the overhead wire. The Power Department faced a great challenge in figuring how to begin replacement of the catenary on the 210 mile Regional Rail system.  They performed a failure analysis using historical data to determine the areas of the railroad with the greatest risk of catenary failure.  The result pointed to the wire style powering trains from Temple University through Jenkintown and along the entire West Trenton (R3) Line as the most susceptible to failure.  Portions of the line had speed restrictions because of the catenary conditions.   Workers installing new catenary as trains continue to roll by. After creating a timeline for catenary replacement, the task was determining how to replace wires without interrupting trains scheduled through the work areas.  The best approach was to create a rolling construction zone.  Crews performed wire replacements within a one or two mile section and trains continued to roll by on an adjacent track.  Work progressed as each section would get finished.  Other factors like schedule changes, signaling system upgrades and modern wire installation equipment helped make efficient time out of the off-peak and nighttime work shifts.   Work was conducted day and night to help replace the catenary system. Creative construction methods allowed the track had to be reopened for train service after each work shift.  Work crews installed new wires opposite the old.  Engineers designed rolling transition zones so trains can operate over portions of the completed portions of new wire and back to the old wire seamlessly.   The special wire train featured a flatbed mounted power lift for workers. Work teams using a special SEPTA wire train strung new wire.  The train features a flatbed mounted power lift to reach the catenary and trailing supply cars equipped with materials.  The old wires were removed once the new wire installation was complete. SEPTA Power has: Installed over 42 miles of wire along the West Trenton (R3) Line Replaced all wire from Glenside to Wayne Junction Replaced all wire from Glenside to Wayne Junction Utilized contract work to complete the Rail Power Project, a renewal of all wire between 30th Street Station and Suburban Station Efforts are underway to replace the catenary between Glenside and Lansdale on the Lansdale/Doylestown (R5) Line.  Work is scheduled to be complete at the end of 2009.   Workers replace one to two miles of catenary at a time in a rolling construction zone. The renewal of the Regional Rail power infrastructure is an important piece to SEPTA’s goal of providing customers with a smooth and reliable trip and keeping the system in a state-of-good-repair.

Public Hearing on SEPTA's Fiscal Year 2009 Capital
Budget and Fiscal Years 2009-2020 Capital Program
SEPTA has schedule public hearing for the purpose of considering SEPTA’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Capital Budget and Fiscal Years 2009-2020 Capital Program and the projects contained therein for which financial assistance is being sought.   More information on hearing dates and locations.

SEPTA Proposes Service Enhancements, New Customer Service Initiatives in FY 09 Operating Budget
General Manager Joseph M. Casey announced the beginning of a new chapter for SEPTA customers with the Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget.When asked about the upcoming $1.080 Billion budget program, Casey said…“We recognize that public transit is a customer service business and we are now in a financial position to commit our resources to the issues that matter the most to our customers - service, cleanliness, convenience, courtesy, and communications.”
SEPTA’s Proposed Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009 (Fiscal Year 2009) and Five Year Financial Plan.  More information on hearing dates and locations.

Clean Air Run
SEPTA is a proud sponsor of the Clean Air Council's 27th 5K Run for Clean Air, which will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008.  The 5K course is flat, fast and winds through the park along the Schuylkill River along Martin Luther King Drive (by the Philadelphia Museum of Art).  The run starts at 9:00 a.m. and registration begins at 7:30 a.m. but you can save $5 on the registration fee by registering in advance.

Next SEPTA Participated Event
SEPTA appears at events around the region to promote the benefits of riding transit.  Our Events page has a complete listing of those upcoming events.