SEPTA & AMTRAK / READING TERMINAL & 30th ST. - 1981

I’m glad that someone in the 70s decided that this was worth recording. We can admire it 50 years later

I’m 69 and I remember the old terminal….along with John Wanamaker’s ,Lit Brothers,Gimbels,Strawbridge’s & Clothiers,Horn&Hardart’s …ect!!

My father was a signal maintainer for reading and Conrail from 47'-82' worked out of race street tower location he really took his life in his hands walking up and down these active lines which is amazing just to watch!

The old septa seems cool 😎

Thank you for the upload. Really brought back wonderful memories. In the spring of 1981, Septa went on strike, so I took the train every morning from Logan Station to Reading terminal, when the busses and subway started running again, I would still on occasion ride the train to Reading terminal. Logan Station doesn't even exist anymore.

Wow, a scene that you will never see in Philly again, the trains roaring into Reading Terminal. I am happy, however, that they incorporated the train shed into the Convention Center.

The Old 1930's Bluebirds with the ancient pantographs & JG Brill era traction motors, The Silverliners & Budd Diesels....20th Century Philadelphia in 81' right after the 1970's. The grittiness & grime of a Bygone time. Electric & Diesel Electric Locomotives & Switchers, workers & civilians nonchalantly crossing the tracks oblivious to imminent danger....Yup that's the Reading Terminal I remember in 1981. It was fun being 10 going on 11 with Family in railroading. Thanks for this timeless footage. -Engineer Trainee , Ex Trucker.🚄🚈🚋🚉❤🚂

@5:00 ... Those were the much older coaches that were not air conditioned, and should have been retired years prior. My father would sometimes ride them from the city at rush hour, and used to call them "klunkers". The silver coaches had AC. Also the small two car silver coaches without pantographs shown prior likely serviced the Fox Chase Newtown line. It had no electricity before Jenkintown (? & whose tracks tilted the train like 30 degrees....) and were diesel driven. I lived in Southampton and it was cool catching the train into the city. I wasn't there for the train vs. gasoline truck accident, but it spelled the end for that line. Now it's a rail trail that goes behind Klinger Jr High..... The Southampton station appears to still be there. Heard they were raising money for it's restoration. I actually bought tickets from an agent inside the building, that's how long ago it was...... Thanks for putting up this video, brought back many memories.

was this before the Center City tunnel was constructed? Also it's WILD to see some of the Amfleet coaches way back in 1981 - Amtrak still uses them to do this day (but damn were they well built, it's no wonder) - also WOW a GG-1. It's incredible that Amtrak was using them until the 1980's

11:46 - Ex-Combine Coach. Baggage comp't where you now see picture windows.
And fast as any Silverliner, too!

I lived in Philly during this era. The Budd RDC cars were my favorite. Thanks!

Right I miss the old Septa Train and trolley

It's interesting how dystopian and filthy everything looks in old videos.

Amtrak was still very much in their Rainbow era at this point, but cool to see the GG1s in action.

Remember the signs posted in the terminal.
No Photography

RDCs were used on the Fox Chase to New Town line, West Trenton to I believe Newark, NJ since the Aldene Project and the closure of Jersey City Communipaw. I believe that this time from reading that they Serviced Reading and Pottstown as well but service ended very shortly after this I believe in 83

Very awesome

That brings back memories. I think the guy hated the GE'S

I wonder if this can be done in hi res. or is the old videotape low quality.

Cool!