Passenger rail service needed in West Chester

After SEPTA ended rail passenger service to West Chester in 1986, the line was taken out of service. The West Chester Railroad Heritage Association (WCRHA) was formed making it possible for SEPTA to lease a 6.4-mile section of the line between West Chester and Glen Mills to the West Chester Railroad in 1996.

It should be noted that Thornbury Township funded the rebuilding of the Locksley whistle stop station. Thanks to the Thornbury Historical Society for their wonderful restoration work in restoring the elegant Glen Mills station. Nield Street crossing was rebuilt with government assistance. The WCRHA recently was awarded $10,000 for the beautification of the WCRHA passenger cars to better emphasize the golden age of rail.

Everything else including the re-establishment of the train station on Market

Street in downtown West Chester has been privately funded by ticket sales and continues to be that way to this day. The railroad was completely rebuilt by the 100 percent non paid volunteer WCRHA members who rebuilt a railroad yard, obtained passenger cars, obtained diesel locomotives, and reopened passenger excursion service in 1997 between West Chester and Glen Mills. That rebuilding, all by manual labor, included replacing missing rails, ties, crossing signals.

It takes a four-person crew about one hour to manually replace one tie. There are about 3,000 ties per mile of track. The volunteers are continuing to maintain and rehabilitate all of the locomotives and passenger cars used on the railroad.

This year will mark the railroad’s 24th year of excursion operation. We have put together a very special book titled “West Chester Railroad” which will shortly be available. This book shows the rebuilding of the railroad by dedicated volunteers who recognized the importance of the railroad for the community and future generations. Our objective is to showcase the work of these volunteers who have created the most important living rail history operation in the Chester/ Delaware County area of Pennsylvania.

Special thanks to SEPTA for operating the most comprehensive system of commuter rail, trolley car, subway, trackless trolley, and bus system in the State of Pennsylvania plus their trolley, trackless trolley, bus, and rail operators for maintaining service during this serious CoOVID-19 epidemic.

West Chester has been successful as a community because of its long history of public transportation and rail heritage. We welcome the idea that the line is being reviewed for extension of passenger service to West Chester. It is important for the region and community to know the work of the volunteers who have rebuilt that railroad back into passenger service operation. Our hope is that local, county, and state governmental officials will allow this heritage line to continue to operate excursion service along with any future regular scheduled passenger service.

These volunteers have set an example of what ordinary people can do to preserve an important part of this region’s heritage. This heritage line has provided a wonderful educational experience and has contributed to making West Chester, Pennsylvania a very special place. WCRHA welcomes new volunteers. Please allow the WCRHA to continue operating this important heritage railroad.