Can someone explain what the historical reason SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line terminates at 69th Street and not Downtown Philly? - Classic Trains Magazine

From now what I saw on on the well worn histrical displays in the 69th station was that that the Norristown High Speed line was supposed to be just the begining of a transcon empire from Philly to the Missipie River. Somehow the Western Maryland and and shortlines like the MA and PA would be cobbled together to create this empire. There was about a dozen railroads that started that thought that Philly was a better option then the Port of NY/NJ and many of these railroads now form that backbone of the extensive commuter system that Philly enjoys today. The problem was getting over the hump from sea leval and over the ridges that encircle Philly in addition to fighting the mighty Pennsy. See- I assume that once reaching Philly city lines they either had to go Elevated to get to the Port as the B&O had to in South Philly or go Underground as in the Mount Royal Tunnels in Montreal and Baltimore.