Reading Company's Telford StationThe area surrounding Telford began to be settled in 1719. In 1857, the town known as County Line (the area had previously been known as Hendrick's Blacksmith) changed its name to Telford after the North Pennsylvania Railroad Company (later absorbed into the Reading Railroad) named its new station there after civil engineer Thomas Telford.
Built in 1931, the station was formerly operated by the Reading Company, Conrail and SEPTA. Today, the Pennsylvania Northeastern runs the section from Lansdale to Telford, while East Penn handles Telford to Quakertown. SEPTA Regional Rail stopped service on July 29, 1981 after the commuter agency cancelled its diesel train routes.
Located along what was known as the Bethlehem Line, the line through Telford, PA, 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.
Today, the station sits restored and operates as "The Marketplace at Telford", a community gathering space, complete with outdoor dining and access to locally grown food. The restoration started in 2003 and was completed three years later. The restoreation was a multi-government effort that included federal, county, and municipal funding, substantial private investment, cooperation between Souderton and Telford Boroughs, and the dedication of Souderton-Telford Main Streets volunteers.
