Smooth Sailing During the Storm

Despite blizzard conditions that crippled much of South Jersey, one train kept running through the storm.

The area got socked with more than two feet of snow over the weekend, but PATCO, the high-speed line train between Lindenwold and Philadelphia, kept running despite the whiteout conditions.

According to Ed Kasuba, spokesperson for the Delaware River Port Authority, the agency kept the train running by using propylene glycol, an eco-friendly kind of anti-freeze, on the third rail, which powers the train. They also ran more trains overnight Friday into Saturday to keep snow off the tracks, including a special three-car train that applied the propylene glycol.

The platforms and parking lots were kept clear in a more traditional way: By a snow removal team. They were out at the Collingswood station on Friday, and I heard the backhoe beeping late into Sunday night.

We’re scheduled to get another big storm on Tuesday. Day trip to Philadelphia, anyone?

Tags: South Jersey | Philadelphia | PATCO | snow storms