Reading Terminal (Repurposed) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
USA /
New Jersey /
Camden /
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
World
/ USA
/ New Jersey
/ Camden
World / United States / Pennsylvania
place with historical importance, train station, railway terminal, former train/railway station
The Reading Terminal was once the main terminus for all of the Reading Company's passenger trains in Philadelphia. Construction of the headhouse, arched trainshed and connecting viaduct commenced in 1889 and the terminal opened January 29, 1893. The terminal, the main line leading to it, and most of its suburban branches were electrified at 11kV 25Hz AC in 1931 when the Reading Co. began to use electric multiple-unit passenger cars.
The trainshed was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; by this time, the Reading had declared bankruptcy and by 1976, Conrail absorbed the company and began to contract its passenger services out to SEPTA.
In 1978, SEPTA began work on the Center City Commuter Connection, a rail tunnel running underneath Center City that would connect to the former Pennsylvania Railroad's rail network (also absorbed by Conrail) at Suburban Station; this rendered the complex obsolete. The final train to pull out of the Reading Terminal was a special train to Lansdale, PA, on November 6, 1984.
In the years following its closure, its fate was uncertain. The terminal and headhouse sat vacant, while a segment of the rail viaduct leading to it was demolished to make way for reconstruction of the Vine Street Expressway (Interstate 676). In 1993, the site was chosen to be part of the then-new Pennsylvania Convention Center. The trainshed and headhouse were renovated by 1997 and now host a wide variety of uses, including ballrooms, retail, restaurant and hotel space. The arched trainshed is now the largest of its kind remaining in the world.
Via the headhouse, one has access to the subterranean SEPTA Jefferson (formerly Market East) train station, as well as the Market-Frankford EL.
The trainshed was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; by this time, the Reading had declared bankruptcy and by 1976, Conrail absorbed the company and began to contract its passenger services out to SEPTA.
In 1978, SEPTA began work on the Center City Commuter Connection, a rail tunnel running underneath Center City that would connect to the former Pennsylvania Railroad's rail network (also absorbed by Conrail) at Suburban Station; this rendered the complex obsolete. The final train to pull out of the Reading Terminal was a special train to Lansdale, PA, on November 6, 1984.
In the years following its closure, its fate was uncertain. The terminal and headhouse sat vacant, while a segment of the rail viaduct leading to it was demolished to make way for reconstruction of the Vine Street Expressway (Interstate 676). In 1993, the site was chosen to be part of the then-new Pennsylvania Convention Center. The trainshed and headhouse were renovated by 1997 and now host a wide variety of uses, including ballrooms, retail, restaurant and hotel space. The arched trainshed is now the largest of its kind remaining in the world.
Via the headhouse, one has access to the subterranean SEPTA Jefferson (formerly Market East) train station, as well as the Market-Frankford EL.
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Terminal
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 39°57'10"N 75°9'32"W
- Pennsylvania Convention Center 0.5 km
- Center City Underground Concourse Network 0.9 km
- Atlantic City Railroad Kaighn's Point Terminal (demolished) 3.6 km
- Ferry Avenue Station 6.4 km
- SEPTA Bryn Mawr Train Station & Interlocking 16 km
- SEPTA / Amtrak Cornwells Heights Train Station 22 km
- SEPTA / Amtrak Paoli Train Station 30 km
- NJ Transit Hamilton Train Station 51 km
- NJ Transit Gladstone Station & Yard 95 km
- Landing, New Jersey 114 km
- Center City 0.4 km
- Callowhill Loft District 0.8 km
- Washington Square West 0.8 km
- Rittenhouse Row 1.1 km
- Old City 1.2 km
- Franklinville 1.3 km
- Society Hill 1.4 km
- Southwest Center City/Graduate Hospital Area 2 km
- North Philadelphia 3 km
- South Philadelphia 4.6 km