SEPTA Route 13
Encyclopedia
SEPTA's Subway-Surface Trolley Route 13 (a.k.a.; the Chester Avenue Line-Subway Line) is a trolley
line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) that connects the 13th Street
in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, to the Yeadon Loop station in Yeadon, Pennsylvania
, although limited service is available to the Darby Transportation Center
in Darby, Pennsylvania
. It is one of five lines that are part of the Subway-Surface Trolley system.
, Route 13 runs in a tunnel under Market Street
. It stops at underground stations at 15th Street
, 19th Street
, 22nd Street
, 30th Street
, and 33rd Street
. From 15th to 30th Streets, it runs on the outer tracks in the same tunnel as SEPTA's Market–Frankford Line.
Passengers may transfer free of charge to the Market–Frankford Line at 13th, 15th, and 30th Streets and to the Broad Street Line
at 15th Street. Connections to the SEPTA Regional Rail
are also available. Underground passageways connect the 13th and 15th Street Stations to Market East Station and Suburban Station.
Route 13 surfaces at the 40th Street Portal near 40th Street and Baltimore Avenue
(US 13
), and then runs southwest along Woodland Avenue shortly before moving to Chester Avenue. An alternate trolley line exists along 42nd Street itself joins the Route 13 line for several blocks. This line is used when tunnels are closed for maintenance or other unforeseen shutdowns. The line runs on a bridge over the Media/Elwyn Line
at 49th Street (SEPTA station)
, however, it does not serve as an official stop for the trolley. The alternate trolley line for tunnel closings turns along 49th Street itself before Route 13 crosses the 49th Street Station railroad bridge, although some Route 11
trolleys use these tracks.
Mt. Moriah Cemetery
cuts off Chester Avenue, so the line makes a left turn at 60th Street then returns to the Southwest at Kingsessing Avenue. at the southwest corner of the cemetery, the Route 13 line stops at the Mt. Moriah Loop, and some use the loop for trolleys that do not go to either Yeardon or Darby. For those that do, the trolleys continue west on Kingsessing Avenue until it reaches 65th Street, where it turns north, and later northwest as it approaches a bridge over the Cobbs Creek Parkway, and immediately turns on another section of Chester Avenue, on its way to the Yeadon Loop. Fernwood-Yeadon (SEPTA station)
is further north of this terminus and has no connection. However the SEPTA Suburban Bus
Routes 108 and 116 which do lead to Fernwood-Yeadon cross the line east of Yeadon Loop at the Church Lane intersection.
West of Yeadon Loop, some trolleys continue along the Chester Avenue line until it reaches Cedar Avenue, where westbound and eastbound trolley line split along 10th Street and 9th Street respectively. The tracks on 10th Street run straight, while those on 9th Street briefly runs along Summit Street. As the westbound tracks turn left at the terminus of 10th and Main Street intersection, it runs south to the next block at Darby Transportation Center
, which is primarily served by the SEPTA Route 11
line, as well as numerous buses.
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) that connects the 13th Street
13th Street (SEPTA station)
13th Street is a SEPTA Market-Frankford Line and Subway-Surface Lines station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under Market Street between 13th and Juniper Streets in Center City. The station serves the Market–Frankford Line and as the terminus for all five routes of the Subway–Surface Trolley Lines...
in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, to the Yeadon Loop station in Yeadon, Pennsylvania
Yeadon, Pennsylvania
Yeadon is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It borders the City of Philadelphia. The population was 11,762 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Yeadon is located at ....
, although limited service is available to the Darby Transportation Center
Darby Transportation Center
Darby Transportation Center is a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority outdoor bus and trolley terminal in Darby, Pennsylvania. The SEPTA Subway-Surface trolleys 11 and 13 travel between the terminal and Center City Philadelphia. SEPTA suburban buses serve the terminal connecting it...
in Darby, Pennsylvania
Darby, Pennsylvania
Darby is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, along Darby Creek southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It has a public library founded in 1743 and a cemetery more than 300 years old. The Quakers lived there early in the colonial era. Darby was settled about 1660 and was...
. It is one of five lines that are part of the Subway-Surface Trolley system.
Route description
Starting from its eastern end at the 13th Street13th Street (SEPTA station)
13th Street is a SEPTA Market-Frankford Line and Subway-Surface Lines station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under Market Street between 13th and Juniper Streets in Center City. The station serves the Market–Frankford Line and as the terminus for all five routes of the Subway–Surface Trolley Lines...
, Route 13 runs in a tunnel under Market Street
Market Street (Philadelphia)
Market Street, originally known as High Street, is a major east–west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the majority of its length, it serves as Pennsylvania Route 3....
. It stops at underground stations at 15th Street
15th Street (SEPTA station)
15th Street is a rapid transit station on the SEPTA Market–Frankford Line and all routes of the Subway–Surface trolley lines in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A free interchange is available between all of the rapid transit lines here, including the Broad Street Line at City Hall, which is connected...
, 19th Street
19th Street (SEPTA station)
19th Street is a subway station of all routes of the SEPTA Subway-Surface Trolley Lines in Center City Philadelphia. It is located underneath Market Street.Touches of the original 1907 station, such as columns and railings, still remain...
, 22nd Street
22nd Street (SEPTA station)
22nd Street is an underground tram station for the SEPTA Subway–Surface Trolley Lines, in Center City, Philadelphia. Similar to 19th Street Station, the station has two side platforms with a total of four tracks. Only the two outer tracks serve the station; the two inner tracks are used for the...
, 30th Street
30th Street (SEPTA station)
30th Street is a rapid transit and trolley station on SEPTA's Market–Frankford and Subway–Surface lines in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is located on Market Street between 30th and 31st Streets in the University City neighborhood near Drexel University, and is the first station located...
, and 33rd Street
33rd Street (SEPTA station)
33rd Street is a tram stop on all routes of the SEPTA Subway–Surface Trolley Lines in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is the last station of the Subway-Surface Lines with all lines before the Route 10 splits away and exits the tunnel at 36th Street. The stop is located on the campus of...
. From 15th to 30th Streets, it runs on the outer tracks in the same tunnel as SEPTA's Market–Frankford Line.
Passengers may transfer free of charge to the Market–Frankford Line at 13th, 15th, and 30th Streets and to the Broad Street Line
Broad Street Line
The Broad Street Line is a rapid transit line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority that runs from Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia...
at 15th Street. Connections to the SEPTA Regional Rail
SEPTA Regional Rail
The SEPTA Regional Rail system consists of commuter rail service on thirteen branches to over 150 active stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States and its suburbs. Service on most lines runs from 5:30 AM to midnight...
are also available. Underground passageways connect the 13th and 15th Street Stations to Market East Station and Suburban Station.
Route 13 surfaces at the 40th Street Portal near 40th Street and Baltimore Avenue
Baltimore Pike
thumb|[[SEPTA]]'s [[SEPTA Route 34|Route 34]] streetcar line runs through the 4500 block of Baltimore Avenue in [[West Philadelphia]]The Baltimore Pike was an auto trail in the United States, connecting Baltimore, Maryland with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
(US 13
U.S. Route 13 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 13 passes through the Philadelphia metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route enters the state from Delaware in Marcus Hook, Delaware County. It continues in a northeasterly direction through Delaware County, passes through Philadelphia, and continues into Bucks...
), and then runs southwest along Woodland Avenue shortly before moving to Chester Avenue. An alternate trolley line exists along 42nd Street itself joins the Route 13 line for several blocks. This line is used when tunnels are closed for maintenance or other unforeseen shutdowns. The line runs on a bridge over the Media/Elwyn Line
Media/Elwyn Line
The Media/Elwyn Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line running from Center City Philadelphia west to Elwyn in Delaware County.Originally known as the Media/West Chester Branch, service was truncated on September 19, 1986 from West Chester to its current terminus at Elwyn. Service expansion beyond Elwyn...
at 49th Street (SEPTA station)
49th Street (SEPTA station)
49th Street is a railway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania along the SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line. It is located at 49th Street & Chester Avenue and is handicap accessible. The station is a sheltered-shed on one of two platforms in a park-like setting on the southwest corner of 49th and Chester...
, however, it does not serve as an official stop for the trolley. The alternate trolley line for tunnel closings turns along 49th Street itself before Route 13 crosses the 49th Street Station railroad bridge, although some Route 11
SEPTA Route 11
SEPTA's Subway-Surface Trolley Route 11 is a trolley line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority that connects the 13th Street in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Darby Transportation Center in Darby, Pennsylvania...
trolleys use these tracks.
Mt. Moriah Cemetery
Mount Moriah Cemetery (Philadelphia)
Mount Moriah Cemetery is a historic cemetery in southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, along Cobbs Creek. It was incorporated on March 27, 1855 and established by an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature. The cemetery, which originally occupied , was among a number of cemeteries established along the...
cuts off Chester Avenue, so the line makes a left turn at 60th Street then returns to the Southwest at Kingsessing Avenue. at the southwest corner of the cemetery, the Route 13 line stops at the Mt. Moriah Loop, and some use the loop for trolleys that do not go to either Yeardon or Darby. For those that do, the trolleys continue west on Kingsessing Avenue until it reaches 65th Street, where it turns north, and later northwest as it approaches a bridge over the Cobbs Creek Parkway, and immediately turns on another section of Chester Avenue, on its way to the Yeadon Loop. Fernwood-Yeadon (SEPTA station)
Fernwood-Yeadon (SEPTA station)
Fernwood-Yeadon is a United States railway station along the SEPTA West Chester Line. It is located at Church Lane and Penn Boulevard. It serves the Media/Elwyn Line. The station originally had a wooden pedestrian bridge and a grade crossing....
is further north of this terminus and has no connection. However the SEPTA Suburban Bus
SEPTA Suburban Division bus routes
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority operates or contracts operation of these routes serving points in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, with a few routes operating into the city of Philadelphia. The Suburban Transit Division is broken down into three divisions...
Routes 108 and 116 which do lead to Fernwood-Yeadon cross the line east of Yeadon Loop at the Church Lane intersection.
West of Yeadon Loop, some trolleys continue along the Chester Avenue line until it reaches Cedar Avenue, where westbound and eastbound trolley line split along 10th Street and 9th Street respectively. The tracks on 10th Street run straight, while those on 9th Street briefly runs along Summit Street. As the westbound tracks turn left at the terminus of 10th and Main Street intersection, it runs south to the next block at Darby Transportation Center
Darby Transportation Center
Darby Transportation Center is a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority outdoor bus and trolley terminal in Darby, Pennsylvania. The SEPTA Subway-Surface trolleys 11 and 13 travel between the terminal and Center City Philadelphia. SEPTA suburban buses serve the terminal connecting it...
, which is primarily served by the SEPTA Route 11
SEPTA Route 11
SEPTA's Subway-Surface Trolley Route 11 is a trolley line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority that connects the 13th Street in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Darby Transportation Center in Darby, Pennsylvania...
line, as well as numerous buses.