A mid-day northbound SEPTA commuter train passes the "old" 1910 built Reading station (now a law office) in Chalfont, PA. A new station stop built by SEPTA is just behind and features a high level platform and a small glass shelter. The train began its run at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station and is destined for Doylestown, PA via Lansdale on the old Reading Company ROW, today's SEPTA Lansdale/Doylestown branch.
Fascinating side-note:Unknown to many - and with little trace today, Chalfont was home to a large resort and park named "Forest Park". "During the late 1800's and into the early 1900’s many Philadelphians would escape the summer heat of the big city by boarding at summer resorts, hotels and farms in Chalfont and the surrounding vicinity." The park was huge and hosted tens of thousands of patrons, many of which arrived by train. "During World War II, Forest Park was in its glory years and the park's management increased attendance through various promotional events. Hollywood stars such as Jimmy Durante, Mae West, Ed McMahon, Marlene Dietrich, Van Johnson, & boxer Joe Louis made appearances." In fact; "With swelling numbers of employees due to defense contracts, many companies used trains to transport their picnickers. The Budd Manufacturing Company needed twelve trains of fifteen cars each to transfer its 45,000 workers to the park. Other large corporations, including Merck, Sharpe & Dohme; Heintz Manufacturing Corporation; Ford Motor Company; Philco Corporation; and the Campbell Soup Company, used the park as well. Forest Park’s slogan became the place “Where Most Picnics Go.”"
Read more about this fascinating town, park and the railroad here! It's quite a fascinating story written by Kurt R. Bell and John R. Malack from which excerpts were taken. It's well worth the read!
