Frankford’s Elevated Railway And Its Predecessors

WJC member and former SEPTA employee Harry Garforth shows us the evolution of public transit in the Frankford section of Philadelphia (formerly Frankford Borough). Following horse cars, steam railroads, and trolleys, the electrified Frankford Elevated rapid transit line was built during 1916-1922. Today this route is part of SEPTA’s “L” or Market Frankford Line.

This presentation was recorded live at the February 24, 2025 meeting of the West Jersey Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society held in Audubon, New Jersey and virtually.

Part 2 of this two-part series:    • 100 Years of the Frankford El and Its Trol...  
Harry Garforth’s book on the Frankford Elevated is available at: https://www.thehistoricalsocietyoffra...
For more on the West Jersey Chapter NRHS: https://www.westjersey-nrhs.org

00:00 Introduction
04:30 Philadelphia & Trenton RR
09:36 Frankford & Southwark Railway
12:42 Surface Streetcars
15:22 Philadelphia & Frankford Railroad
18:20 Frankford El: Planning & Components
27:21 Frankford El: Construction
34:38 Frankford, Bustleton & Byberry Surface Passenger Railway
39:36 Opening Celebration
42:31 The Next 100 Years