SEPTA’s Trains Are About to Get A Lot Taller

Bi-level coaches considered for regional rail.

PlanPhilly reports: “In an attempt to increase passenger capacity, SEPTA is in the early stages of considering bi-level coaches. With an upstairs and a downstairs, these coaches could transport anywhere from 120 to 170 passengers. Most important to SEPTA, they would provide an efficient remedy to booming regional rail ridership. Silverliner Vs can seat 109 passengers.”

The obvious question: How would it fit? “SEPTA is conducting a clearance study, and while that study is not complete, solutions to low clearance might include ‘slick design’ of the coaches, moving the catenary wires or lowering portions of the track. Knueppel said it does not appear that increasing clearances in this way would require very expensive projects.”