| By: | Alan Page |
| Dates: | 5/27/2016 - 5/27/2016 |
| Album Info: | My last visit to Amtrak's 30th St Station in Philadelphia was in March and April of 1977. How things have changed at the former PRR station complex and electric/diesel roster in 39 years!
On March 26 and April 8, 1977, the Station was at the center of Amtrak’s efforts to cope with the devastating 44-day Septa Transit Union worker’s strike. Conrail had even provided freight GG1’s to haul RDG’s ancient 1931 Harlan & Hollingsworth MU’s to handle strike shortages. During that time, Amtrak was also testing replacements for their aging GG1 electrics and E-units.
Fast-forward to May 27, 2016, and the many changes to the station complex were in full view as a parking deck and large office building had been added. The engine service area had some added support buildings, but the original brick building remained. The beautiful interior of the old PRR station was very much the same, but now adorned with all manner of advertising.
For the locomotive fleet, Amtrak’s electric power now included ACS-64’s(612), while diesel power was provided by GE P42’s(94), Juniata rebuilt GP38H-3’s(521, 522, and 527) and GP38-3’s(722 and 724), and an MPI GP15-D(579).
Locomotive classes lost or gone in the last 40 years at 30th St: GG1’s and their hoped-for E60 replacements, E-units, former PC SW1’s and RS-3’s working the yard, AEM7 GG1 replacements, and F40 E-unit replacements.
Even after 40 years, the station remains a center of passenger traffic that shows no signs of slowing down in the years to come.
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