Weekly Photo Fun 9/11 - 9/17/15

[Green_Elite_Cab]

G_E_C
which part of the PRR was electrified first?

The first sections of the AC catenary were built between Philadelphia and Paoli, which today would be part of Amtrak's keystone line to Harrisburg. It is recognizable in photos as having round poles, rather than H-columns. This electrification was done to facilitate commuter travel. The freight advantages were never realized, as the PRR never electrified far enough to make the trip totally economical.

Technically, the PRR did have other earlier electrifications, such as the Hudson River tunnel third rail, and a few trolley lines in southern New Jersey. However, these didn't last, and its safe to say that the main PRR electrified lines were born with this route.

Here is a really bad picture of one of these ancient catenary poles out the window of an Amtrak Keystone train.