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New Interior Seating on the MFL
Photo taken by Brandon S

All photos taken by Brandon S.

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SEPTA's Market-Frankford line runs two hundred and eighteen (218) SE (Single End) railcars which are in married pairs. Built by ADtranz (now part of Bombardier) in Elmira NY between 1996, and 1999. These were the first heavy railcars in SEPTA's fleet to feature electronic designation signs. The delivery of these cars allowed for SEPTA to replace their fleet of Budd M3 cars built in 1960. Between 2003 and 2006, SEPTA undertook a minirehabilitation of the interiors of these cars which has deteriorated badly after only seven (7) years in revenue service. During this rehab, SEPTA replaced the soft cushion seats with stainless steel and cloth ones (similar to the seats on the American Ikarus, Neoplan Articulated, and Allison New Flyer fleet). SEPTA also replaced carpet side panels with stainless steel ones. Car sets 1037-1038, and 1041-1042 had two different test seats installed.  SEPTA have decided to go with the American Seating Innovator – 850 seats. Cars 1033-1034 have been converted to work cars, replacing the aging M3 set 759-760.

Notes

•  The order was originally for 222 cars, 220 passenger and 2 work cars. This order was cut back to 220 when it was decided they would retain 5 Budd cars for work Service. SEPTA would eventually convert M4 cars 1033-1034 to work service replacing the Budds.
• Out of all the retired cars used on the Market-Frankford line between 1907 and 1999 only 2 were preserved. Budd cars 606 and 618 are at the Pennsylvania trolley museum and the Seashore trolley museums respeectively