As of January 27th, 2007, the SEPTA Ticket Vending Machines (TVM)s were permanently taken out of service.  The last of their kind (as TVMs were basically available at a variety of stations as late as the early 90's), they were just about obsolete, as they didn't accept any of the new currency, particularly the new $10 and $20 bills, as well as the Susan B. Anthony Gold Dollar.  The last locations that had them included the Center City Philadelphia Stations, Philadelphia International Airport, and Trenton Station.  Now, passengers must buy tickets from the ticket offices - regular surcharge rules apply.  Please see the following webpage for information on ticket office hours at these locations: http://www.septa.org/service/kt10.html.

Currently, SEPTA’s seeking to purchase 333 remanufactured Cummins ISL 280HP engines. It appears that 5640 was indeed the prototype of this retrofit, as well as 5617 (which is currently being retrofitted). Once these engines are purchased, they will likely to replace the Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR engine which is currently being used in the 2003 Fleet (5613-5712), as well as the 2004 fleet (5713-5830, 5851-5950). It's still unclear as to what SEPTA will do with the remaining engines, but will indeed be interesting to see which units these engines will show up on. One of the possible reasons why SEPTA is retrofitting the fleet is because the new emission standards which will go into action later this year. Since the DD50 EGR has been proven to be faulty engine, SEPTA has decided to take a proactive approach and replace these engines to try and save on costs. This in mind - the Cummins ISL engine costs are way cheaper compared to the DD50, plus since these engines are way smaller compared to the DD50, SEPTA will gain on Fuel MPG. You can read the offical bid here...

 http://septa.org/business/over25000/bid02087b.html 

As cited on another site, on Sunday, March 4th, SEPTA will be celebrating the 100th year Anniversary of the Market Frankford Line and the P&W (Route 100, Norristown High Speed Line.  This specificaly will be the 100th year anniversary of the Market Frankford Line, as P&W service didn't start until May.The schedule of events are as follows: 

1pm - 69th Street Terminal

2pm - 56th Street Station for the station dedication

3:30pm - 1234 Market Street

Also, rides on the Market Frankford Line will be FREE from 12pm to 5pm.

Check out the displays at the various locations at this time as well!

As we know, the P and W is celebrating its 100th Anniversary as well, as service started May 22, 1907. To celebrate, the Rockhill Trolley Museum (home of the only operating Brill Bullet Car) will be hosting a charter on this line on Sunday, May 20, 2007.  For more information, including rates, please visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum's website at www.rockhilltrolley.org

Installation of multicolored LED signs has begun on the route 100 "N5" cars. 


So far, 154 and 155 have been retrofitted.  These signs, replacing the problematic roll signs, will have colors representing Local in white lettering, Norristown, 69th Street Terminal, and Radnor express in red, non revenue signs probably in yellow, Limiteds in blue and Hughes Park Expresses in green, which are their present color representations.