Philadelphia's Abandoned Ghost Subway Lines: What Happened To Them? IT'S HISTORY

The Philadelphia subway system has served millions over its lifespan, and continues to be a primary way of travel for countless Philadelphians to this very day. But did you know that the subway system we see today could have been much larger? Today, we will discover the lost subway tunnels of Philadelphia.

Chapters:
00:52 – 19th Century Transit in Philadelphia
5:11 – The start of Rapid Transit in Philadelphia
6:25 – Philadelphia’s First Rapid Transit line
8:08 – What was the Taylor plan?
10:20 – The Roosevelt Boulevard Subway
11:17 – The Center City Loop Subway
12:03 – The Henry Avenue Rapid Transit Line
12:38 – The Darby Elevated Line
12:54 – The Oak Lane Extension Plan
13:11 – The Passyunk Spur

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

» CONTACT

» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Imana Schoch
Editor - Tim Merriman
Host - Ryan Socash

» SOURCES

» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[OgreKev]

I lived in Philly for 20 years and never heard of the Skeecale River

[ViewsFromJames]

As a Philadelphian, he butchered so many words in this video.

[anthonydivon]

As a born and raised Philadelphian I really appreciate this video keep up the good work

[Notorious_G.O.D_]

I lived in Philly all my life & I appreciate our "Transit Lore" As a guy in my mid 40s I never knew the original name before SEPTA was "PRT". I also find fascinating that Roosevelt Boulevard had train tunnels that leads to Center City (Downtown). I know about the abandoned underground stations when you ride the "Ridge-Spur" express. But this video is good for the

[cameronf]

It’s well understood that the NYC subway system was absolutely pivotal to its growth. And, they’re literally iconic. There’s people around the world who daydream of riding those grimey pieces of image. I wouldn’t be surprised if Philly could have at least 4m population if not more than NYC if they just didn’t sell out to GM and Ford so quickly.

However that lower population, in a still large population, also makes it uniquely viable to become a national hotbed for bike infrastructure and electric public transit if cards are played right.

[stevenpugsley]

There is an abandoned station at 6th and Vine, right at the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The suspension bridge connects Philly to Camden, NJ and was completed in 1925; as shown on your maps, a subway/surface (PATCO) line crosses the bridge . However, by the time the bridge and train line was completed, the automobile had become much more ubiquitous, and the 6th and Vine station was abandoned. The rest of the line PATCO line uses half of the center city loop that was actually built: from 8th street through 16th and Spruce.

[myra]

I've lived here for 45 years and the only abandoned station I've seen is on the 8th and Market train, but I have heard of the Roosevelt Blvd addition never knew the actual station was there. Great video!

[michaelbenardo]

Such a damn shame that public transit in this country is considered unimportant, and when they are forced to consider it, they insist on using dirty diesel buses instead of clean electric streetcars and trolley buses.

[Footballislife]

I worked in city hall
In the basement and sub basement and there’s like random small doors that lead to secret tunnels and abandon rail lines. Philadelphia city hall is amazing. They have jail cells in the basement so much cool history

[bobo-ovos]

Great video, my father who worked in the city his whole life (died of old age in the 70s) use to tell me about the old empty subway systems under the city.

[andrewscolari]

Can you do video about trolley parks in Philadelphia, particularly Willow Grove Park? Willow Grove Park was open from 1896-1976 and was built by the People's Traction Company who built a line out there. The park continued to operate well after trolley service ended in 1958. It closed after the 1976 season and was demolished to make room for the Willow Grove Park Mall which opened in 1982.

[nickdottcom]

say it with me
sk-yull-kill
i don't blame you for the mispronunciation, I just had to point it out lmao I love watching people that aren't from philly try to say our words

[kaydee]

Very interesting stuff. As a former resident who grew up in Philly and always loved the rail systems as my main source of traveling through many of the areas you mentioned, this story is a gem. Thank you!😊

[chuckman]

Great Video. It's the SkooKill River.

[bigmountain]

My great uncle Norman worked for the PTC on trolley cars at there barn repairing them. My Grandpa worked for Harbisons Dairy as a Milk Man, he used a horse. Going up and down North Philadelphia during the 20’s to the 50’s.

[stitchedtogether]

There are many train stations in the suburbs that connected to Philadelphia and they shut them down. It would help so many ppl if they were still open and prob bring some money into the city. I live in north philly and this city has so many issues and I feel like there's so many things they could do but they just sleep on it all.

[vincenthuying]

For Philly to become its new version of a 21st century city, it would be very interesting when these old plans will see a second life.

[DenshaMaster]

Roosevelt Blvd Subway is now gaining traction to actually being funded for construction due to the I95 highway collapse last month emphasizing the need for additional transit alternatives for the area. I think with the right planning, in the future we could even see more Subway/EL/Trolley lines being built in the city

[FirstnameLastname-qcxx]

Should of included the clip of the eagles fan running into the subway pole 😂

[slongel]

Thanks for the information. Half of these subway lines I never heard of. Septa/City definitely should open up the subway on Roosevelt Blvd. That area is so busy, such a distance, and would move faster since 1/3 of the traffic is underground.