Last night the iconic Solari split flap display was removed from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to make way for a new, ADA-compliant digital board. I spent the day documenting the takedown, and here is a collection of some of my photos from then, and from other days.
Sunlight floods the room on the Solari’s last day
Info booth crew
Pat in the information booth
The clock is slated for removal
Walter, one of the Solari board operators
The computer that controls the board preps a special message
Farewell Philadelphia
A special message is shown on the board
A passenger captures the Farewell Philadelphia message
People brought their children to see the board before it goes
Destination flips
One last flip
Solari
Solari board on the last day
Long gone train names display on the board before removal
Long gone train names display on the board before removal
Long gone train names display on the board before removal
The wires to the board are cut
Disconnection complete. The info displayed is now frozen.
A safety perimeter is established
Everyone watches as the board is readied for removal