Leased MARC cars on SEPTA start Trenton Line midday runs

Leased MARC cars on SEPTA are now operating on the agency’s Regional Rail network, adding capacity and flexibility as SEPTA works to cover ongoing equipment shortages, as reported by Trains.com.

In coverage by public broadcaster WHYY, the 10-car Maryland Area Commuter Rail (MARC) lease is being deployed first on the Trenton Line and the Trenton West lines during the midday hours. SEPTA pursued the arrangement to help manage SEPTA Regional Rail equipment shortages that followed the sidelining of its Silverliner IV cars last October.

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The Silverliner IV sidelined after fires came after a series of incidents that prompted the Federal Railroad Administration to order repairs. Most of SEPTA’s Silverliner IV fleet has now returned to service, but the leased cars still leave SEPTA with more room in the schedule and extra day-to-day operating flexibility.

MARC railcars leased to SEPTA: why they arrived late

SEPTA says the coaches reached the region in December. Even so, they did not immediately enter service because crews and mechanical staff needed training on the new equipment, as noted in a SEPTA press release on receiving the leased MARC railcars.

“It’s kind of an anomaly on the system,” SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said, “but we’re thrilled to have them out there to be able to add some more service for our customers. And we are continuing to look for options to add more railcars.”

WCAU-TV reports the lease totals about $2.6 million.

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