Overview
- Amtrak is moving 10 leased MARC coach cars from Washington’s Union Station to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, with entry into service pending inspections and crew training that could take up to two weeks.
- SEPTA says it will miss the Dec. 5 federal deadline to install heat‑detection systems on all 223 Silverliner IV cars because about 7,000 feet of specialized thermal wire are on back order.
- Roughly 30 of the 50‑year‑old Silverliner IV cars still lack the new sensors, with the missing wire expected next week and installations projected to take at least another two weeks.
- Officials say they purchased all available thermal wire in North America, yet the shortage has pushed back plans to fully restore Regional Rail service.
- The FRA’s emergency order followed at least five onboard fires, and riders should expect continued delays, cancellations and crowding until repairs and leased-car preparations are completed.