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About West Chester Railroad
Riding the West Chester Railroad offers a 90‑minute scenic excursion along the historic SEPTA West Chester Branch, traveling between West Chester and Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The heritage line follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad “Frazer Branch,” tracing the route once used for passenger service until 1932 and freight until the 1980s.
History
The West Chester Railroad was chartered in 1831 and began operating the following year, 1832, with horse‑drawn cars. Locomotive service starts in 1845, prompting the replacement of deteriorated iron‑plated wooden rails and the abandonment of the earlier Kirkland‑to‑Oakland branch; a permanent station follows in 1846 and the line is rebuilt in the late 1840s for steam operation. The Pennsylvania Railroad assumed control of the connecting Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad in 1857 and leased the West Chester Railroad in 1859, later acquiring the entire capital stock of the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad (WC&P) and, after WC&P’s financial collapse in the 1870s, purchasing the West Chester Railroad’s stock for $135,300; the line remains a PRR subsidiary until its merger into the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1903. In 1880 the PRR rerouted the northern end to Frazer, creating the “Frazer Branch,” which loses passenger service in 1932, while the former WC&P “Media Branch” continues until 1986. The Frazer Branch is largely abandoned in April 1969, with a truncated segment persisting until about 1981. Today the West Chester Railroad operates as a tourist line between West Chester and Glen Mills.
The Trains
Unreserved coach trains make the 90-minute run along the former Pennsylvania Railroad "Frazer Branch" — now the SEPTA West Chester Branch — between West Chester and Glen Mills.
Nearby
Pennsylvania's West Chester Railroad sits about 15 mi from the Wilmington & Western Railroad, an easy two-line pairing.
Where to Stay
Bookings made through this map support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
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Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Book tours & activities nearby
Pre-book guided tours and things to do around the area.
Bookings made through these links support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
More in Pennsylvania
All train rides in Pennsylvania →Train Types in Pennsylvania
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