By M.T. Burkhart

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Despite being replaced in commuter service two years ago, a handful of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s AEM-7 electrics are once again running on late night “leaf trains.”

A few weeks ago, SEPTA pulled AEM-7s 2301, 2304 and 2307 from storage. They are being used on the overnight trains that blast sticky residue from fallen leaves off the tracks and spread a gel that increases traction.

“SEPTA has an aggressive maintenance program that employs a combination of water, gel, and sand to remove oily deposits on the tracks,” the railroad says. “The authority also uses high-pressure washing equipment on Regional Rail to blast away the leaves and leaf residue.”

The first train ran on the night of Oct. 18, and will continue through at least mid-November, or until heavy frost and wind knock most leaves off the trees for the winter.

SEPTA’s AEM-7 electrics (and lone ALP-44) were replaced on revenue passenger trains in 2018 by new ACS-64 locomotives. A handful of the old electrics were also used last year during leaf season.