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Most people who run, bike, and walk on the Radnor Trail don't realize that electric trolleys, part of a railroad leading to 69th Street Terminal, once followed the same path. Today, bridges, supports that once elevated stations, and an amazingly intact substation building are all that's left of what once was the "Strafford Branch" of the Philadelphia and Western Railway.
The Railway was an important part of life in Wayne and Radnor for fifty years. After the trains stopped running, it sat vacant for almost as much time. Now that the right-of-way is in active use once again, it's only appropriate that the story of the P&W be told to the Trail's new generation of travelers.
The Radnor Historical Society has been working with Radnor Township's Department of Parks and Recreation and the Radnor Conservancy to create interpretive signs along the trail. The signs have been planned for important locations, including sites of former railroad stations. It is a unique opportunity to approach history: to have photographs of the sites directly in front of the actual historic sites.
So far two signs have been installed on the Trail. We are aiming to design and install about seven more, but we cannot reach this goal without public support.
The signs are made from the best materials and finishes available. The graphic panel is made of porcelain enamel, the very best material for this purpose. Even in outdoor use, porcelain can hold its color and stand the test of time for decades (as an example, the enameled "L.K. Burket" sign on Pennsylvania Avenue in North Wayne dates back to the early part of the 20th Century, and looks remarkable considering its age).
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