SEPTA R2 Track 3 to Track 4 Southbound at HOLLY

SEPTA R2 train to Wilmington making the diverging move from #4 track to the #3 track at HOLLY interlocking. HOLLY is a poor man's High Speed Turnout, built in the 1980's to allow Amtrak trains running on the center trains to get to the outer tracks to avoid the old freight duckunder at BELL. The Pennsylvania Railroad used to run freight in the center and Passenger on the outer tracks. When express passenger trains moved to the center tracks HOLLY interlocking was built so express passenger trains could avoid the time consuming diverging movement.

This SEPTA train had just been overtaken by an Amtrak ACELA Express and is now proceeding under a MEDIUM APPROACH signal. Also note that the 43B switch to the old 2F freight track has been reversed in a rare North American example of flank protection.

BTW, note the position of I-495 to the right of way. The HOLLY interlocking equipment has been protected by concrete blocks after a tractor trailer took out the relay huts in the 90's.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• SEPTA
• Amtrak
• Interlocking
• HOLLY
• R2

[rwboa22]

Way cool to see the POV from the Silverliner's cab.  BTW, those switches past the turnout allow NS trains from Chester and Marcus Hook to access those inner tracks to both the Dupont Edgemoor plant and the Shellpot Branch.