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The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Established in 1936

Railfan Pictures of the Day - 10/28/2004

SEPTA Main Line Lansdale PA October 23 2004

In the constant autumnal struggle of railroad versus leaves, SEPTA (press release) has a new weapon and, like its rail scrubbers, it is homemade. Local news radio station KYW 1060 recently featured not one but two stories about the new equipment, shown here pulling into Lansdale Station with BL15 51 for power.

Behind the engine is the new 10,000 psi pressure washer mounted on flatcar SPAX 2104.

The supply of water is carried by MOW tank car SPAX 1505.

After running around the train in Lansdale Station, Extra 51 passes the former Reading Freight Station just south of Broad Street in Lansdale.

The force of the spray removes the oily residue that remains on the rails after fallen leaves are crushed by the wheels of passing trains. In addition to the washer and the scrubbers, SEPTA also has two gel trains, one for the Pennsy side and one on the Reading side pictured here.

The special has just passed CP Dale, heading back to the city.

All pictures October 23 2004 c. 2004 John P. Almeida

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Website created June 12, 2002

Last Updated October 28, 2004