Once There Was a Railroad

History Spotlight by Doug Humes

Once you could ride a railroad from Philadelphia to Marple and Newtown. The line was laid in 1893, connecting the Pennsylvania Railroad at Fernwood (Yeadon) to Newtown, with 10 stops along the way. The Marple stop was “Foxcroft,” located just east of where Sproul Road crosses Darby Creek. The line then bridged the road, following the creek into Radnor, then made a left turn at The Hunt station (south side of Hunt Road — the Radnor Hunt!). It continued parallel to Bryn Mawr Avenue, which it crossed on a high bridge near Malin Road, and then through farm properties to its end, a lumber yard along Rte 252 in Newtown Square, across the street from TD Bank. A freight station and a passenger station were erected at the terminus.

Railroad bridge over Bryn Mawr Ave. near Malin Road

Photo courtesy of NSHS/Carol Schaeffer Collection

By 1895, four daily trains ran each way, with limited weekend service. But clouds were on the horizon: In 1896, the Philadelphia & West Chester Traction Company built a trolley line from 69th Street out West Chester Pike, through Marple, Newtown and on to West Chester. The trolley offered more frequent service, delivering passengers directly to the center of each community, unlike the railroad. The railroad’s passenger business suffered, with reduced service over the next few years, ceasing altogether in 1908.

Route of the Newtown Square branch

Photo courtesy of Newtown Square Historical Society

The freight line continued to run, taking milk and farm products from the Pennsylvania Hospital farm in Newtown through Marple, past the Swell bubble gum factory in Haverford, crossing West Chester Pike near Burger King, and making its way through Upper Darby to the connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad, where its contents were off-loaded and delivered to the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane (now Kirkbride Center) in West Philadelphia. But by 1951, the farm had been sold, the train ran just once a day; and in 1963 service from Grassland to Newtown Square ceased.

Steam engine heading towards Newtown Square on Bryn Mawr Ave trestle (circa 1940)

Photo courtesy of Newtown Square Historical Society

Remnants remain: concrete bridge abutments along Bryn Mawr Avenue, stone bridge pillars in Ithan Creek near the Blue Route, and the freight station that was moved to Drexel Lodge, where it is the centerpiece of a railroad museum.

Haverford has reclaimed part of the right-of-way for a walking trail. And if negotiations go well with a local landowner, Marple hopes to have a section of a walking trail in place connecting to trails in Radnor and Haverford. And so, the labor and capital of the 19th century continue to benefit us today.

For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit www.NSHistory.org.

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Art Along the Trail

Saturdays in November

12--4pm (weather permitting)

@ the Historic Square Tavern Rte 252 & Goshen Rd, Newtown Square

Local artists display and sell their artwork inside and outside the tavern Come walk Newtown’s newly expanded trail system while enjoying art work in various media on the Tavern green. For details, visit www.NSHistory.org.

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