'Wired' to a work train

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority crews work on de-energized catenary on the agency's Norristown Line at Miquon, Pa., early in the morning on Jan. 12. Photo by Steve Sweeney

PHILADELPHIA — While colleague David Lassen basks in the sunshine of new passenger equipment in Florida, I got into the nitty gritty of keeping older service running with an early morning tour on one of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's catenary repair, or Wire Trains. 

How early you ask? Fellow rail photographer Michael Murray and I drove up to SEPTA's Market Street headquarters for a 2 a.m. meet with SEPTA managers who escorted us to the train that was positioned on the agency's Norristown Line.

There's a lot to say about this train and its nearly unique place in American railroading, suffice it to say, every night somewhere along the Philadelphia commuter railroad one of two wire trains takes sections of catenary out of service to replace trolley wires, update brackets or insulators, or even position material for a future work project. And then they get the railroad back in service by the time trains start running again around 4 a.m. — EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.

One manager summed up the train's significance: "We're making the railroad better and safer and customers don't even know we've done work."

Expect to see more in future editions of Trains, but for now, enjoy a few selected picks from the overnight experience.

SEPTA's Wayne Junction Wire Train idling and waiting for service about 9 a.m. on Jan. 12. Photo by Steve Sweeney

Though it's hard to see in the dark, a SEPTA manager puts his thumb on an 0/4 size bronze trolley wire. The wire has been worn flat and needs replacement soon. How soon? As soon as they can get to it. But first, they need to hang new brackets and insulators. Photo by Steve Sweeney