Silverliner

Silverliner
A train with Silverliners II through V at Fern Rock
In service
  • SL-I: 1958-1990
  • SL-II: 1963-2012
  • SL-III: 1967-2012
  • SL-IV: 1973-present
  • SL-V: 2009-present
Manufacturer
Number built
  • SL-I: 6
  • SL-II: 59
  • SL-III: 20
  • SL-IV: 232
  • SL-V: 120
Formation
  • SL-I/II/III: Single unit
  • SL-IV/V: Married Pair and single unit
Operators
Lines servedSEPTA Regional Rail
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length85 ft
Width10 feet (3.2 m)
Doors
  • SL-I/II/III/IV 2 end doors w/ traps
  • SL-V: 3 Quarter point (2+1), two w/ traps
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)
Traction system
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Bogies
Braking system(s)Pneumatic, Dynamic (SL-IV/V only)
Coupling systemWABCO Model N-2

Silverliner is the name given to a series of electric multiple unit (EMU) railcars in commuter rail service in the Philadelphia area since 1958. As of the introduction of the Silverliner V in 2009–2010, there have been 5 generations of Silverliner cars, identified by the Roman numerals I through V placed after the name Silverliner. The Silverliner name came from the classes' shiny stainless steel body shell, which contrasted with the painted and frequently rusting carbon steel railcars used by the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroads between 1915 and 1936. Applied to the first large production order in 1963, the cars made such an impression that the name has since been applied to all subsequent MU classes purchased by SEPTA for the Regional Rail services.

  1. ^ Carleton, Paul (1982). Under Pennsy Wires. D. Carleton Railbooks Publication. p. 246.