Station Review #11 and ½: North Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill West) (SEPTA)


Ah yes, part two of my ongoing series on the North Philadelphia Station Complex 

North Philadelphia CHW is a station on the Chestnut Hill West line, located in North Philadelphia (hence the name), near 16th and Indiana. Much like most of the other North Philadelphia stations, this station is absolutely awful, and it's not hard to see why. 

History 

I can't find any old photos of this area directly, but it was always an extra area just off of the main station, as seen from the only aerial photo I found of the station. The station used to at least have a station house and shelters. Those are all gone, and replaced by... Nothing.

Concrete Platform Tour

Chestnut Hill West Train

There isn't much of anything here. There are two bus stop type shelters, and nothing else. 

Everything

To add insult to injury, the shelters are in very bad condition. The Center City shelter has all of its glass broken, and papers are taped to the pillars of the shelter. 

A closer look at the shelter before it got all of the glass broken

What if you wanted to get to the Chestnut Hill West platform, on the other side? The photos shown don't seem to have a crossing of any form, and this line is double-tracked. Is it possible? 

Well, to answer your questions, yes it is possible, it just takes a lot of walking. 

The crossing is way in the distance, near the closest power line holder

Once you get there, you have to watch out when you cross or this happens:

A train was not approaching the crossing...

To make matters worse, they play this warning at either of the two stations on the same property when a train is nearby, causing a lot of confusion. 

Once you crossed the platform, you realize there isn't much of a difference between either side. The only merit to this side over the other side is that all of the glass on this side is intact. Both shelters have lighting and maps. 

Lights

There is little else here. The Center City platform has much more going on, In that it has an extra bench. 

Also, this station makes an attempt to be accessible. There is a ramp to the station, but the platforms are not raised and there is no mini-high of any form. 

Ramp, either to stairs or to more ramp. 

At the bottom of the ramp, there is also an odd structure, that kind of looks like a bus stop shelter. This is also at the foot of the sea that is the North Philadelphia Station parking lot as well. The reason why this is abnormal is that there are no buses that go to this bus stop. 

What was the point of this?

There is very little here. Also, this station is impossible to pay at. There are no key card readers at this station. 

Opinion on this station

I absolutely abhor this station and wish it was much better in every way imaginable. This station is easily one of the worst I have ever been to.

Connections

60 Bus stop

North Philadelphia CHW is connected by these routes

Rail: 


Amtrak: Keystone Service trains run four southbound and one northbound trip on weekdays only that stop at North Philadelphia Station. The Keystone Service goes from New York to Harrisburg via Philadelphia. Access from North Philadelphia Main station 

Broad Street Line: Fern Rock Transportation Center to NRG Station/Boad and Pattison, Access from North Philadelphia BSL

Lansdale - Doylestown Line: Regional Rail Service from Center City to Lansdale and Doylestown, access from North Broad Station 

Manayunk - Norristown Line: Regional Rail Service from Center City to Norristown, access from North Broad Station 

Trenton Line: Regional Rail Service from Center City to Trenton, access from North Philadelphia Main station

Bus: 


2: 20th and Johnston to Pulaski and Hunting Park or Wayne Junction via 16th and 17th streets. (get on at 17th Street and Indiana avenue)

4: Broad and Pattison to Fern Rock Transportation Center via Broad and 9th. (get on at Broad and Indiana avenue)

16: Cheltenham - Ogontz Loop to City Hall (get on at Broad Street and Indiana Avenue) 

54: 33rd-Dauphin loop to Richmond - Cambria via Lehigh (get on at Broad and Lehigh) 

60: 35th and Allegheny to Richmond - Westmoreland loop (Get on at Broad or 16th and Allegheny) 

Station Checklist:


Some vestige of accessibility: ×
Clean: × 
Connections to other transit routes: ✓
Easy passage to either side: ✓
Fare Payment Kiosks: ×
Lighting: ×
Maps: ✓
Parking: ✓ (too much of it)
Shelters: ✓
Seating: ✓ 
Station in Good Condition: ×
Train Departure/Arrival Info: ×
Updated Signage: ✓

Verdict: 1/10, still better than Eddington somehow. 


Station Directory

--------Philadelphia County--------
''''''''Center City Zone''''''''
Jefferson (Market East)
Suburban
30th Street
 ''''''''Zone 1''''''''
North Philadelphia (CHW)
Queen Lane
''''''''Zone 2''''''''
Chelten Avenue
Tulpehocken
Upsal
Carpenter
Richard Allen Lane
St. Martins
Highland
Chestnut Hill West


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