SEPTA Borrows Maryland's Rail Cars to Replace Fleet That Kept Catching Fire

The agency’s efforts to repair its Silverliner fleet is being hampered by supply chain delays.

1 minute read

December 11, 2025, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


A silver SEPTA train passing through snowy scenery in Pennsylvania.

SEPTA's Silverliner IV trains experienced five fires this year. | Krtz07 / Shutterstock

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is borrowing 10 train cars from the Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail (MARC) as it manages delays in repairs on its Silverliner IV fleet, whose vehicles were involved in five fires, reports Molly McVety for PhillyVoice.

“The transit authority said this week that it will not meet a federally-mandated deadline to add thermal sensors to its Silverliner IV cars, because there is a shortage of wire needed to complete the repairs.” It will use MARC cars “where needed” on its Regional Rail lines, where reliability should “gradually improve.”

SEPTA is using funding from a $220 allocation from the state’s Public Transit Trust Fund to lease the cars and add capacity while the SEPTA fleet undergoes repairs. “SEPTA needed 39,000 feet of wire for the entire fleet and as of Friday morning, 7,000 is still needed to complete the project.” The agency expects to restore full service by Christmas.

Friday, December 5, 2025 in Philly Voice

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