Conrail Reading Division 1976 Bumper Sticker

In 1976 Conrail took over the operations of The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Commuter Passenger Railroads. Included were the commuter railroad operations of The Reading Railroad Company, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Of the Commuter railroads 13 branches, seven were originally owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) (later Penn Central), and six by the Reading Company (RDG). The PRR lines terminated at Suburban Station; the RDG lines at Reading Terminal. Conrail continued to operate Phildelphia Commuter services under contract to SEPTA until January 1, 1983, when SEPTA officially took over operations and rolling stock, to form the Regional Railroad Division. In November 1984, the Center City Commuter Connection united the two systems, turning the two terminal stations (Reading Terminal having been replaced by the Market East Station) into through-stations. Most inbound trains from one line continue on as outbound trains on another line. SEPTA uses a mixed fleet of Budd Company, General Electric and St. Louis Car Company "Silverliner" electric multiple unit (EMU) self-operated cars, used on all Regional Rail lines.