SEPTA’s Push Pull Assignments

Updated: 10-6-2023

SEPTA operates push-pull trains as part of its regional rail service, which serves the suburban areas surrounding Philadelphia. Push-pull trains refer to a configuration where the locomotive pushes the train from one end and pulls it from the other, eliminating the need for locomotive turning at terminal stations. Here’s an overview of SEPTA’s push-pull trains:

  1. Introduction and Usage: SEPTA introduced push-pull trains into its regional rail service in the 1980s. They were introduced to enhance operational efficiency and provide faster turnaround times at terminal stations. Push-pull trains are commonly used on SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines, which radiate from Center City Philadelphia and serve various suburban destinations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. These replaced some of the Blueliners as well as the remainder of the Pionner III (Silverliner Is)
  2. Regional Rail Lines: SEPTA’s push-pull trains operate on several regional rail lines. The specific lines may vary based on scheduling and service changes, but the primary lines include:
    • Paoli/Thorndale Line: This line serves destinations such as Malvern, Exton, and Thorndale in Pennsylvania.
    • Media/Wawa Line: This line runs from Philadelphia to Wawa in Delaware County serving stations like Elwyn and Primos
    • West Trenton Line: This line runs from Philadelphia to West Trenton in New Jersey, serving stations like Yardley and Trenton Transit Center.
    • Wilmington/Newark Line: This line operates between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware, serving stations like Marcus Hook and Newark.
  3. Equipment: SEPTA’s push-pull trains consist of locomotives (ACS-64) and passenger cars. The locomotives provide the propulsion power, and the passenger cars accommodate the passengers. The trains are single-level coaches.

This is the scheduling of the Push Pull fleets. This fleet is used during both AM/PM rush hour service exclusively on the runs as defined below. These units are maintained from SEPTA’s Frazer Shops which is on the Paoli-Thorndale line. As per usual this is subject to change. These assignments are subject to change depending on equipment and crew availability. 

SEPTA Train #9591 approaching Merion