Bala - (SEPTA Cynwyd Line)

Bala is an intermediate stop on the Cynwyd Line. The station is located just north of the bridge over the tracks of City Avenue. The station today has basically two platforms for the single-track line that are connected by a pedestrian grade-crossing at their southern ends. This pedestrian grade-crossing has pedestrian signals with walk and don't walk signs like those found at roadway intersections. The original low-level platform is now fenced off from the track, but its green canopy is still intact providing cover for a bench and wastebasket for any passengers waiting to be picked-up I guess? This platform also included a mini-high platform at its southern end. This mini-high platform has now been removed.

Although the station was already minimally accessible, a new high-level platform that can accommodate approximately one car was built between 2012 and 2016 on the former northbound trackway. This is a standard high-level SEPTA platform with green lampposts and fencing. There is a single canopy structure with glass block and cream-colored windscreens near the northern end of the platform. There is even an LED next train display where you can see the next Cynwyd Train that is hours away. This platform has a single staircese off of it at its southern end to the grade-crossing, followed by a ramp up to the middle of the platform and a final staircase off the northern end of the platform.

A portion of the original northbound low-level platform is still visible (with a faded yellow line) under the arched bridge of City Avenue, nowhere near the current track.

Access to the station is via small parking lots along both platforms. The station has a total of 83 parking spaces. The high level platform side has a driveway out to Conshohocken State Road, while the low-level platform vehicular access is via driveways through some local commercial buildings to Bala Avenue, or a direct narrow driveway from City Avenue.

Pedestrians used to have staircases up from both sides of the tracks to the City Avenue bridge. These both became decrepit and have closed, with a newer wooden staircase leading directly up to the edge of the parking lot opposite the high-level platform down the grassy knoll off the bridge.
Photos 1-23: September 4, 2024;

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A Train Station sign branded by the local business district

The station is visible past parking lots for local businesses

The sheltered bench and drop off area for what was once the low-level platform

Sign for the station Exit, bus connections or Platform. A decaying platform under the arched overpass is also decaying

The walk sign is on to cross the train track

Looking down the still tactile edge of the low-level platform and up to the high-level platform across from it at the pedestrian grade-crossing

Looking down at the closed low-level platform as passengers wait for a train on the high-level platform

The pathway beyond the pedestrian crossing to the staircase up to the bridge of City Avenue

Looking down the two competing types of platforms for the single-track line

Remains of the former northbound platform no longer having a track

The sidewalk to the still open Day Road staircase and decaying concrete staircase beyond the grass

Steps up to the high-level platform and the pedestrian grade-crossing just beyond

Looking past the staircase to the ramp beyond

The parking lot (with ADA spaces) and ramp beyond

The back of a Bala platform sign

The staircase off the northern end of the platform

Philadelphia-bound Silverline V #702 begins to enter the station, as a single car train

A side view of Silverline V #702 entering

The blur of Silverline V #702 entering the station

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