The Market-Frankford Line is the oldest subway in Philadelphia with the initial section from 23rd St to City Hall with an elevated track running across the Schuykill River to the 69th St terminal opening in 1907. The line was built with 4 tracks, two for the elevated and two for the surface trolleys. Originally both sections looped back at City Hall but a year later the elevated trains were extended via subway to 2nd St and to Chestnut St where a portal brought them back to the surface again. Before the Frankford extension was completed, in 1922, the Market Line turned south along Delaware Ave to service the popular ferry terminals. The Frankford extension terminated at Bridge St but was intended to be extended northeast to Rhawn St. When the Benjamin Franklin Bridge opened to traffic in 1926 ferry traffic dropped off and the branch serving the terminals was closed in 1939. The subway was extended west to 46th St (to allow for the removal of the elevated tracks) starting in 1930 but due to budget problems and World War II the extension did not open until 1955. In 1977 the Delaware Ave portal was relocated along the median of the newly constructed Delaware Expressway.
The Market-Frankford Line is unique in that it uses a 5′ 2.5″ rail gauge, standard for trolleys in Pennsylvania, which is different from the standard 4′ 8.5″ gauge which is used by most trains in the United States. Service on the line is skip-stop with A and B trains trading off service at further out stations but all stopping at Center City stations.
Printed on Satin finish 80# cover stock – 220 GSM. Made in the USA! Standard production time is 5 days. Allow more time for shipping.
