Eastern Railroad Discussion > New Third Track on ex RDG Trenton Line

The new third track between Woodburne and Yardley, Pa. is getting close to competition. On the Woodburne end the existing southbound Septa track must be swung over to connect with the new southbound track and the existing northbound track must be swung over to connect with the existing southbound track. This will allow the single track CSX track that now merges with Septa track to have it's own track.

Picture 1 is looking north at the point where the CSX track on the far right connects to Septa. Ties are in place to extend the CSX track further north until is can be swung over to connect with the existing northbound Septa track that will be abandoned by Septa, as they will have a new track for their two track operation in this area. In the foreground is the switch that connects to the NS Trenton Cut-off with CSX. CSX or NS will have to cross two Septa tracks to make this move. Barely visible in the distance on the far left is the end of the new Septa sounthbound track.

Picture 2 shows the Septa wire train working in the area where the tracks will shift to align one track to the left. This former Reading right of way had 4 tracks. Up until this project, only the center two remained. Now the western most track has been re-installed and the three existing tracks (2 Septa, 1 CSX) must shift to the left (facing north) because the new track was installed on the west side and the existing third track south of this location is on the right side of the right of way.

Picture 3  is at the north end at West Trenton station. The new CSX track is located where the former asphalt station platform was located.


 

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from what i was told CSX will be using the middle track for their single main and the 2 outside tracks will be used for Septa between Woodbourne and Yardley, so Septa can platform their passenger trains without freight train interference ... the CSX freight train routing switching off their outside track at Woodbourne to the middle track will take place at the location in photo #1, where CSX trains will run the middle track to/from Yardley ... the Septa train routing of their nb/eb trains to the outside track will also take place at the same location as in phto #1 ...

CSX will not be relegated to just running the middle track ... the option for CSX trains to be routed on either of the outside tracks will be available if the dispatcher feels the need to do so when Septa trains are not scheduled for that track at that time ...

Will CSXT still own the entire right of way between Woodbourne and West Trenton? Did CSXT pay for the installation of the new main?

Thank you in advance.

CSX will only run the eastern most track. The whole idea is for CSX to dispatch their own railroad. They will nnot use the middle track or any Septa track. The catenary is on the Septa tracks and will be taken down on the CSX track. Septa owns the right osf way and you as a taxpayer funded the work to the tune of approximately $10 million bucks.

I hope there will be some crossovers between the SEPTA tracks and the CSX track to allow operational flexibility, if needed.....

EdP Wrote:
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> CSX will only run the eastern most track. The
> whole idea is for CSX to dispatch their own
> railroad. They will nnot use the middle track or
> any Septa track. The catenary is on the Septa
> tracks and will be taken down on the CSX track.
> Septa owns the right osf way and you as a taxpayer
> funded the work to the tune of approximately $10
> million bucks.

WOW !!! ... things either changed or the source of the info i received is as useless as milkers on a nun at a convent ...

thanks for the update correction ...

Here's Septa's press release on the improvements.  In project management this effort has moved with greased lighning speed.  Announced in September 2013, and just about finished in September 2015...

Announcement