Station Review #166: Rydal (SEPTA)


Rydal is a station on SEPTA's West Trenton line, located at Susquehanna Road and Washington Lane in the small village of Rydal, PA, itself located in Abington Township, PA. 

History

Rydal station was originally built either in 1883 by the North Pennsylvania Railroad, or in 1888 by the Reading Railroad, though the former is more likely due to the architectural style being more in line with NPRR's depots. At some point around the 2000s, there was a station restoration. 

Tour

The station nowadays

Rydal station hasn't changed all that much in the past few decades. 

Doorway

Post office sign

Much of the depot nowadays is a small post office. 

Waiting room

Rydal has a waiting room, usually only open on weekdays between 5:30 AM and 12:30 PM. It's extremely small and only has a few benches. 

Notice board with a notice on it from 2001


Inside of the post office

Unsigned Crossing

This station is absolutely not accessible at all whatsoever. 

Inbound platform area

Outbound platform benches

View of station from outbound platform

The architecture of the station is absolutely beautiful. 

Outbound shelter

Fare validator

Parking

Stairway to the nearby road

End of the platform
 
The platform itself is part of the sidewalk, and it's also partially broken as well.  This makes accessibility very difficult at this station. 

Train

Points of Interest Near Rydal Station


There's a little bit near Rydal station, this includes: 
 
  • Doctors offices
  • Penn State Abington (who also runs a shuttle to the station)
  • Mansions
  • Retirement homes for people with a lot of money
  • Apartments
  • A car dealership 
  • Baederwood Shoppes on the Fairway, a plaza with a Whole Foods and a Crumbl in it   
Because of the way Rydal station is designed on a bridge where Susquehanna road goes under it, the height between the road and the bridge is too short for any real bus route. The only useful bus route that could work here otherwise is a route on Susquehanna Road, so it gets no bus routes.  

Statistics


Name: Rydal
Agency: SEPTA
Line(s): West Trenton Line
Locality: Rydal
Municipality: Abington Township
County: Montgomery
State: Pennsylvania
Ridership: 236 riders per average weekday (2024)

Amenity Checklist


Accessible: ×
Bathrooms: ×
Bicycle parking: ✓
Clean Station: ✓
Connections to other transit routes: ×
Easy passage for each side: ✓
Existence is justifiable: ✓
Fare Payment Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Good Wayfinding: ✓
Indoor Shelters: ✓
Maps: ✓
Multiple entrances/exits: ✓
Adequate Parking: ✓
Safe to use: ✓
Seating: ✓
Shelters: ✓
Station In Good Condition: ✓
TVMs: ×
Ticket Offices: ×
TOD: ✓
Train Departure/Arrival Info (countdown clocks): ×
Updated/Useful Signage: ×

Final Verdict: 3/10

Station Directory


--------Pennsylvania--------
--------Philadelphia County--------
''''''''Center City Zone''''''''
Penn Medicine
30th Street
Suburban
Jefferson (Market East)
Temple University
''''''''Zone 1''''''''
Fern Rock Transportation Center
--------Montgomery County--------
''''''''Zone 2''''''''
Melrose Park
Elkins Park
''''''''Zone 3''''''''
Jenkintown/Wyncote
Noble
Rydal
Meadowbrook
Bethayres
Philmont
--------Philadelphia County--------
Forest Hills
Somerton
--------Bucks County--------
Trevose
Neshaminy Falls
''''''''Zone 4''''''''
Langhorne
Woodbourne
Yardley
--------New Jersey--------
--------Mercer County--------
''''''''NJ Zone''''''''
West Trenton

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