Holmesburg Junction - (SEPTA Trenton Line)

Holmesburg Junction or just Holmesburg on an older platform sign is a station on the SEPTA Trenton Line in the City of Philadelphia that is named after where the freight only (and not presently electrified) Bustleton branch diverges off the Northeast Corridor, which hasn’t received passenger service since 1926. The station has two short, 3 car long, low-level side platforms for the four-track line. These platforms are connected by staircases at their northern ends down to the sidewalk of Rhawn Street that connects them. Both platforms also have freight tracks curving away from the mainline tracks alongside the platforms: the Busleton Branch track leads away to the north, making the Philadelphia-bound platform almost triangular, and there is also an industrial yard lead along the Trenton-bound platform.

The Center City-bound platform as a true station gem. A historic brick building contains a waiting room and sales office open during mornings. This building has a second story (not in passenger use) along the southern side of the building that is a now (I believe unused) tower that once controlled the switches just south of the station. Otherwise this platform has no amenities for waiting passengers. Although there is a haphazard and partially unpaved parking lot, with a railroad crossing for the Bustelon Branch running through the middle of it that leads up from Tulip Street up to the rail platform. The SEPTA website says there are 154 parking spaces, although I think this also includes parking spaces on street parking since there are definitely not that many spaces just off the platform.

The Trenton-bound platform is exclusively accessed via theΩne staircase down to the Rhawn Street. It has one amenity for waiting passengers. There is a brick shelter containing a single silver bench to wait inside.
Photos 1-46: March 27, 2013;

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Silverliner V #724 brings up the rear of an R7 train (according to the older sign) leaving Holmsburg

Silverline V #724 continues leaving up the NEC

A previous generation R7 Holmesburg: Trains to Trenton, N.J. sign

The old fashioned shelter with green painted brick walls on the Trenton-bound platform

Looking across to the formerly electrified Busleton branch

Looking across the NEC tracks to the station depot, with a level designed to be used as a tower

The modern metal bench in the middle of the platform shelter

Looking down the Trenton-bound platform, past a signal box? with Holmes written on it

A wooden crossing to the Trenton-bound platform

Warning signs on the shelter of the Trenton-bound platform say: Do Not Cross Tracks: Use Street Sidewalk, and warnings private property, and Danger High Speed Electric Trains

The older Do Not Cross Tracks: Use Street Sidewalks

Looking down the one staircase to with stone walls to leave the Trenton-bound platform

Looking out at the staircase off the Trenton-bound platform between the bridges over Rhawn Street for the mainline and the industrial lead

The bottom of the staircase up to the Trenton-bound platform from Rhawn Street

The newer sign for Holmesburg Junction: Trains to Center City Philadelphia and the SEPTA station sign

A little red sign for R7 Shuttle Bus to Center City, and the station totem entrance sign

Looking across from the Center City-bound platform to the shelter on the Trenton-bound platform

A signal tower and cars parked along the Center City-bound platform

One side of the station building/tower

The junction of the Busleton Branch and the NEC south of the station

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