MORE WEEKEND PROBLEMS The Philadelphia Marathon is not the only event that will wreak havoc on SEPTA this weekend. Due to trackwork in the subway portion of the Market-Frankford Line, SEPTA will be forced to single track between 5 St and 30 St stations. On Saturday, the westbound (to 69 St) track will be taken out, while Sunday will see the eastbound (to Frankford) track out of service. To make matters worse, a 20 minute headway will be in effect. The good news is that this is expected to be the last major disruption on the El this year, as next week, the holiday shopping season kicks in.

FOX CHASE FIASCO In what would seem to be yet another brilliant move by the "transit" experts running the Regional Rail system, the SEPTA Board is expected to approve an agreement with CSX that would in effect force single track operations on the R8 Fox Chase line between Newtown Jct (north of Wayne Jct) and Olney Station. CSX had complained about the inability of its freight trains to use the Fox Chase line segment which also follows the former New York Short Line branch. And people wonder why SEPTA's Regional Rail Division is the laughing stock of the industry...

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES A 10-lot housing subdivision in Upper Gwynedd is raising concerns among neighbors who live near the R5 Lansdale-Doylestown line. The Lansdale Reporter says that residents have cited the proximitiy of the rail line as a safety issue, since there is a steep drop-off nearby. Just another example of sprawl at work...