The right of way seen here was built by the West Philadelphia Railroad which had been incorporated in 1835 to bypass a cable operated plane know as the Belmont Plane that was used to get from Philadelphia to Ardmore (then known as Athensville). This stretch was later purchased by the Main Line of Public Works which was owned by the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Railroad acquired the right of way in 1850 establishing its mainline between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Today, this stretch of track is owned by Amtrak which services 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and Ardmore, leaving the stops such as Overbrook to the SEPTA commuter agency.