READING COMPANY
This page will cover the short Chestnut Hill branch. The unusual feature of this line is that lies entirely within the city limits of Philadelphia. In today's terms it is considered heavy rail. At the time it was built most of the stations were in the country.
The pictures here were all taken in 1984, so technically it had become a Septa operation and you will notice the track is in fairly good condition. Today it is part of the R7 Septa route.
The branch exits the mainline at Wayne Junction.
First station stop is Fishers
Next is Wister. The close in stations were generally just shelters.
Germantown Station
Washington Lane station
Stenton station
Sedgewick station
Mount Airy
Wyndmoor Station. Note the name "Reading Company" cast in the
stone.
Gravers station with a very unusual cupola. 
Street side of Gravers station.
The end of the line is Chestnut Hill. A stub end station with 5 (?) tracks is here. The Pennsylvania Railroad had a branch that also terminates in Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. Today Septa considers the Reading line Chestnut Hill East and the PRR Chestnut Hill West. The paralleling lines are the result of a very intense rivalry between the PRR and the Reading back around 1890. The PRR built a number of lines in direct competition with the Reading in an attempt to steal away the Reading's traffic.
A very early Arrow MU car in the station. 1984.
Back to the Commuter Lines page