Reading Company's Perkasie Train Station: TracksideBuilt in 1892, this station was formerly operated by the Reading Company and later by Conrail and SEPTA. Today, the Pennsylvania Northeastern runs the section from Lansdale to Telford, while East Penn handles Telford to Quakertown (via Perkasie). SEPTA Regional Rail stopped service on July 29, 1981 after the commuter agency cancelled its diesel train routes.
The line through Perkasie, PA - known as the Bethlehem Line, was started by the North Pennsylvania Railroad in Fort Washington, PA, (just outside Philadelphia) in 1853, and was completed to Bethlehem in 1857. Formed in 1852, the NPRR began operation in 1855. The Philadelphia and Reading Railway, predecessor to the Reading Company, leased the North Pennsylvania in 1879. By 1892 there were 22 trains on this line, 19 of which stopped in Perkasie. The town had 12 daily mails. The Cannonball train made the trip from Philadelphia and Bethlehem in 1 1/2 hours. In 1885 work which lasted one year double tracked the line from Philadelphia to Bethlehem.
Today, or at least when the photo was taken, the station lies in disrepair, though supposedly good condition. Talks have been ongoing for years with hopes of restoration but to date the cost has been deemed too prohibitive. The station is owned by SEPTA and on lease to a private owner.
