I Don't Know What Kind of Train this Is: Norristown High Speed Line in Philadelphia 2024

Small single vehicle (sometimes coupled) running in the suburbs of Philadelphia, with a 3rd rail, and a unique design. What kind of train is this?
The Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL), also called the Purple Line, the P&W, or Route 100, is a 13.4-mile (21.6 km) interurban light rapid transit line operated by SEPTA, running between the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby and the Norristown Transportation Center in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Originally the Philadelphia and Western Railroad line (which is why the line is referred to by locals as "the P&W"), the line runs entirely on its own right-of-way. By 2020, the Norristown High Speed Line had an average weekday ridership approaching 11,000 passengers ~Wikipedia
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[@mrjsanchez1]

It is the old Philadelphia and Western Interurban, I rode it as a child when it used the Brill Bullets, they would go up to 80 miles an hour back then! I am from Norristown originally.

[@JeffreyJ276]

Cool! I used to live near Norristown and rode it once. Unique.

[@johnchambers8528]

As noted this line used to be the Philadelphia and Western interurban line and was built to be a high speed grade separated line. It never got as big as first envisioned but has survived as one of SEPTA’s more popular suburban transit lines due to its speed and frequency of service. It also makes good connections at Norristown with other bus routes that serve the area around there. Also it once did have a true interurban route connection back before 1950 when the Lehigh Valley transit company ran their cars over the Norristown portion of the line from Allentown, Pa.

[@scottyerkes1867]

The old P&W. High speed,third rail power, no grade crossings. I've ridden this line many times. Thanks Tim💚👌👍

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

It's a cute train

[@KenyonKarl]

You are right, its 'neither fish nor fowl!'

[@jordanalexander4331]

Norristown native here, it would be nice if they could open the 100 back to Stratford, and build more interurbans. More people use it than I realize, I’ve found myself using it in place of the regional rail when I miss it or on the weekends especially.

[@Trolleyman541]

The line does not cross into Philadelphia at all. It’s was called the P & W (Philadelphia & Western Railway) when the line opened in 1907 to Strafford then the Norristown branch in 1912. The line current rolling stock are the 1993 ABB/Adtranz w/chopper controls (N-5). The cars collect power from third rail (over running). Although there is a built in space for pantograph, the cars of their predecessor didn’t have them either. The route is 13 & 1/2 long

[@KOLEJ22DrogaPrzygody]

Nice video , super , like.

[@BirbarianHomeGuard]

Grade separated interurban.

[@robertcartwright4374]

I think so too.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

Correct

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

Interurban cars

[@Wewwers]

Interurban Rapid Transit

[@RailBuffRob]

The car is an ASEA Type N-5

[@AtariTheAnimator]

What kind of vehicle would you replace it with if you were to update it?

[@user-dj7wv5ok2x]

Those coaches appear to be manufactured by the same people who made the “Longlife” postal vehicle (Grumman)….

[@nose10620]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

Interurban

[@grujber7342]

2/10