West Philadelphia Passenger Railway

The West Philadelphia Passenger Railway was an early commuter rail that opened on July 2, 1858.^[1] Initially tracks ran from 3rd Street to 41st street along Market Street.^[1] Tracks ran over the Permanent Bridge that was completed in 1887.^[1][2] Passengers were transported by "horse-drawn omnibuses".^[1] The railway was the second street railway to be chartered in Philadelphia when it was chartered on April 28, 1857.^[3] Portions of the railway leading to Darby followed a route similar to that of SEPTA's Route 11 today.^[3] People of color were not allowed to use the railways until an Act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1867; however, they were permitted to stand on the platform with the driver.^[3]

Share of the West Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company, issued 17 March 1880