Customer Memories

On February 14th, PATCO celebrated its 40th anniversary. As part of our year long celebration, we solicited “memories” from our customers who rode PATCO from its beginning. These customers have graciously given us permission to share their stories with you. Enjoy!

I lived in Stratford and my wife would drop me off in the "Kissing Lanes", as the signs stated, at the Lindenwold station. I used it every work day. A lot better than the old "61" bus. Andrew C. Boyle

I was 21 years old then. My father and I rode the high speed line because he was a machinist at the Budd Co. which produced the original cars. Anthony A Iannacone

I have been to quite a few cities in the U.S. and have ridden many lines. Some are obvious imitators of our Speedline, but they and the others can not equal the safety and convenience that you have delivered year after year. I hope the Speedline can remain at the top of commuter train technology and safety in the next 40 years. Robert Farrell Jr.

My best memory was walking to high school (St. Mary of the Angels Academy) with the speed line being the half way point between the school and home. It was a place where we warmed up in the winter (with visits to the newsstand for those forbidden packs of gum) and cooled off in the warm weather. Donna Bonsall

I remember riding PATCO on a Saturday when it first opened. As soon as the line extended into Philly I became a dedicated PATCO rider using it for travel to work until I retired in 2007. I still use PATCO for entertainment, sports events, Thanksgiving Day parade with my family, and friend and doctor visits in both Camden and Philadelphia. It is still the best way to go. Charlie Drumm

I lived across the street from the guy who helped design/build the line. He would show us the designs they had and told us how this line was going to be so different from what we were use to taking; no conductors, no street crossing, everything elevated and computerized. When he showed me drawings of the prototypes it seemed like something out of Disneyland. Dave Mortlock

I remember the start of the PATCO line quite well. I still have a June 14 1969 timetable. I was a Junior at Lenape Regional High School in Medford NJ and would get folks to drive me to the Ashland station to take the train to Philly for movies and the like. Kevin Feeney

I have been a regular rider since the beginning. My wife and I purchased our first house within walking distance of the Ashland station with the knowledge that PATCO would be establishing the light rail line. Good luck in the next 40, and may I be around to celebrate them with you. Joseph T. Schwindt, Jr.

I was your 1st paying passenger to board a train in Philadelphia, 2-15-69.

I bought a ticket from the vending machine at 8th & Market station and got to the platform in time to board the front car of the 1st train from Lindenwold to 16th & Locust Sts. James F. Boylan

I was on the very first PATCO train. I was the first passenger in the first (front ) seat on the first train - the very first day of operation. I was interviewed by several radio stations. I gave an account of what it was like riding the very first train. At the time they used small red fareboxes because the electronic fare gates were not ready yet. Jeff Marinoff

I remember riding the High Speed Line before it officially opened. I loved it. The trains were very clean, air conditioned and comfortable. Karen Kennedy-Hall

I was a poor college student with his two young cousins (ages 6 and almost 3) in tow. Being a life long rail fan, I had ridden a number of lines on their last day of operation, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride a rail line on its first day of operation. Armed with a cheap Kodak Instamatic I was able to gather a few snap shots of the event. Kenneth H. Robertson

I rode the "speedline" in its inaugural season. I was a sophomore at Cherry Hill West, and several of us girls decided to visit Philadelphia over the spring break.

Now I ride the train every day to my job on Logan Square and sometimes pause to consider that I could be sitting in the same car we traveled in so many years ago, when it was brand new. Thanks, Patco, for 40 years of service! Laurie Trochymczuk

My father took my brother and me on the 1st public ride of the Patco Hi-Speedline in 1969. I was 7 years old. I remember getting up very, very early one cold winter morning so that we would be in line for the first train out of Lindenwold. When the shiny new stainless steel vacuum cleaner-like sounding train pulled into the station, we boarded the last car.

It was this east bound trip that I almost became Patco's first rider fatality. We had come out of the tunnels in Camden when my father took us forward to talk to the driver while the train was in motion. I was leaning on the hinge side of the door jam of the front door of the car. The driver was explaining how the train almost runs itself when someone grabbed my coat and pulled me backwards away from the door. We then realized the front door I was leaning near was unlatched and swung wide open from the wind pressure through the driver's side window. I'll never know who pulled me back from the doorway that cold morning, but I am thankful that he was on my train at that time of my young life. Dave Mountney

Congratulations on your anniversary. When I moved here from Pennsylvania in 1972 at age 22, I missed my rolling hills and farm land, but I was always thought your clean, safe and economical service to Philadelphia was one of the highlights of my South Jersey experience. Long may you grow and prosper. Penny J. Wise

I along with my neighbors was a rider on the very first train to Philadelphia that was open to the public. One of my neighbors who was a train buff had just celebrated his 50th birthday and we mentioned it to a reporter. Unfortunately it was reported that I was 50 - 20 years older than the fact. Bob Merkert

I grew up in Lindenwold, and I have been riding PATCO for ALL 40 years. My 1st experience was as a Cub scout in 1969 our Troop leader took us Scouts on a field trip to ride the new "High-Speed" electric train. I remember how excited I was to ride the new train. Thank you for providing such excellent service at an affordable price for all these many years. Robert Fischer

From age 8 or so my father and stepmother lived in the city, while I lived in Haddonfield with my mother. My father would take PATCO and meet me at the Haddonfield station, and then we would take the train together to Philadelphia. We always sat in the front car and quickly got to know the friendly conductors who worked weekends. A few years ago, I returned to my roots - the Haddonfield station _ and still try to sit in the front car, near the conductor, whenever I can. Shannon Magee

My Grandfather lived in Haddonfield on Elm Street. We walked down to the Collingswood Station and took PATCO over to the city. We did not get off the train though. We turned around and came right back. My grandfather is 96 years old now and lives in North Carolina. I was young, only 7, but still remember holding his hand all the way to the station and taking my very first ride on a train for my very first trip to the city. Sharon J. Guida

I have a letter from PATCO to my older brother that is dated may 7, 1969.

At age 10 my brother wrote to PATCO asking for a summer job. He also offered them a suggestion for their operations. PATCO was so pleased with his request they wrote to him and invited our family and his school class to ride the train while they let my brother drive the train. Marisa Bonfanti