New Hope and Ivyland Excursion, Hatboro, PA - May 15 2011

In celebration of its 300th birthday, Willow Grove township sponsored a special New Hope and Ivyland Railroad excursion train from Willow Grove station to New Hope and back via SEPTA's Warminster line.

Just in the nick of time I catch the excursion equipment deadheading south through Hatboro on the heels of SEPTA train 433. SEPTA Genset 70 (2GS14B-DE) leads New Hope 2198 (GP30) for use in SEPTA's cab signal territory. On the north end is ex-NS C39-8 8211. An hour later after SEPTA 435 heads south, the excursion train heads north for New Hope with its passengers on board.

Originally this train had been planned to operate under steam power with Hew Hope #40, but it unfortunately has not been readied for service yet this season.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• New Hope
• Ivyland
• GP30
• C39-9
• 2GS14B
• SEPTA
• Hatboro
• 8211
• 2198
• 70

[rwk2050]

40 could have been used south of Warminster, but the SEPTA genset #70 probably would have been tacked on in front of 40 for operation in SEPTA signaled territory.

[rwk2050]

Maybe in the future New Hope to Glenside and return with the 4-8-4? If SEPTA has to tack their genset #70 in front of the steam to go south of Street Road, Warminster, so be it. For the northbound run a NH&I diesel with cab signal could be used on the other end of the train similar to this one.

[rwk2050]

West Chester RR operates special excursions over SEPTA sometimes, they probably have a cab signal equipped diesel to run on SEPTA. I think Glen Mills is the division point between WCRR and SEPTA. On Warminster line, the division point between SEPTA and NH&I is at Street Road in Warminster. (There is also a Street Road crossing at Lahaska).

[Icdean86]

@rwk2050 only problem is that signal system is like 100k and would have to be in the steam engine for it to lead.

[rwk2050]

What about NH&I's plans to operate the 4-8-4 on future excursions SOUTH of Warminster? I heard that NH&I wants to work with SEPTA to operate more special trains on SEPTA in the future and with their 4-8-4 steam locomotive. BM&R 2102 ran excursions on SEPTA from Lansdale to Glenside in Oct 1991. So there was steam on SEPTA before.

[indie1361]

Cool! Ya know, I heard on a report about this  train to Willow Grove. They said it would have been powered by 40 had she been ready for operation. That's a lie, SEPTA hates steam as far as I know.

[JoMiFu]

Nice!

[dmorris991]

cool!

[trainfann1]

Nice!

[CSX6000]

Nice!