Opinion Eyes on the Street

Renovation progress at Wayne Junction Station

Christine Fisher

January 24, 2014

The contractor was able to reuse much of the original decorative elements on the exterior walls

At one time Wayne Junction Station, built in 1881, was a stop for trains headed as far West as Chicago, St. Louis and Los Angeles. More recently, though, years of wear had taken a heavy toll on the station’s stately presence. Now, thanks to ongoing renovations, the historic station is regaining back some of its character.

SEPTA began renovations in late 2012, and in December, they opened the overhauled Germantown Head House.

The head house, which stands on the inbound platform at the Germantown Avenue entrance, had its roof tiles replaced with new terra cotta tiles, in keeping with the original design. Its east wall was removed and rebuilt, and its west wall was repaired. The contractor was able to reuse most of the original decorative elements in the upper portion of the exterior head house walls after each piece was cleaned and restored.

The contractor was able to reuse much of the original decorative elements on the exterior walls
The contractor was able to reuse much of the original decorative elements on the exterior walls
Renovated Historic Germantown Head House
The interior of the newly renovated Germantown Head House
Renovations were careful to maintain the historic character of the Germantown Head House
Germantown Head House interior ceiling detail
Germantown Head House interior ceiling detail
One view from the Germantown Head House

The majority of the new platforms on both the inbound and outbound sides of the station are also open. Stairs at the Germantown Ave entrances to both platforms have been renovated and are open as well.

Roughly 200 feet of inbound and outbound high level platforms are now open to the public
Roughly 200 feet of new inbound and outbound high level platform is now open to the public
The stairs to the outbound platform have been revamped
The stairs to the outbound platform have been revamped
The Germantown Ave stairs to inbound and outbound platforms have been renovated and are now open

Work on the station building is underway, as is some remaining platform work. New elevators will be installed at the station building end of the platforms. Repairs are still outsanding on the baggage tunnel, passenger tunnel and Windrim Ave stairs.

The station building is still under construction, but the roof work is complete
Work is still being done on the station building
A temporary ticket booth was set up so crews can work on the station building
A new passenger canopy was installed next to the station building
New lighting was installed as part of the platform renovations
Work on remaining portions of high level platforms remains

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