For those of us who ride the SEPTA Regional Rail on a daily basis, we are all too familiar with the iconic Silverliner IV electric multiple units. These railcars, built between 1974 and 1976, hold a special place in our hearts and our city's history. They were groundbreaking at their time of creation, being the first electric multiple unit to be equipped with dynamic brakes and automatic doors as well as a PA system. They were also pioneers in being constructed in married pairs - an innovation that has since become standard practice.

The sound of their Leslie S2M horns is not just noise; it is music to our ears - angelic and iconic. It is a sound that has become synonymous with Philadelphia's bustling railway system.

Yet these historic vehicles are facing retirement without any plans for preservation. This would mean losing an important piece of Philadelphia's transportation history forever.

We believe several of these units should be preserved at museums or heritage railroads upon retirement. Not only would this honor the historical significance they hold but also provide future generations with tangible examples of how far we've come in public transportation technology.

Let us not allow these symbols of innovation and progress to disappear into oblivion after serving us faithfully for over four decades. Let us preserve them so that they may continue to inspire awe and admiration among train enthusiasts, historians, locals, visitors alike for many more years to come.

Please sign this petition if you agree that SEPTA’s Silverliner IV electric multiple units deserve recognition beyond their service years by being preserved at museums or heritage railroads upon retirement.

For more information, please watch this video, courtesy of Thunderbolt 1000 Siren Productions.

In a separate petition, I have propsed ready-to-run scale models of these iconic electric multiple units to further honor their legacy.