The Heron’s Nest: Hottest ticket in town; parade details & Pederson keepsake; report from the roads

Call it the thrill of victory, and the agony of trying to get to the parade.

SEPTA yesterday released its detailed transit plan for those looking to head into the city Thursday for the Eagles Super Bowl Parade.

Officials learned some tough lessons back in 2008 when the Phillies held their World Championship Parade. SEPTA wasn’t prepared for the mass of people looking to get on their regional rail lines to head into the city. Trains filled quickly at the outermost stations and once at capacity, they simply zipped into the city, blowing by hundreds of fans left stranded at stations farther east across the county.

They put the lessons they learned into effect for the pope’s visit.

One of the key they announced yesterday was limiting the number of stations on Delaware County’s two rail lines - Media/Elwyn and the Wilmington line.

Trains on Media/Elwyn will stop only at Elwyn, Media and Primos on the way into the city.

On the Wilmington line, stops will include Wilmington, Marcus Hook and Ridley Park.

But SEPTA also announced that all riders would need a special pass to use the regional rails Thursday. They went on sale for $10 yesterday afternoon and quickly became the hottest item in the region.

We’ve had reports of stations running out of the special passes and people waiting in lines for hours last night in Paoli in an attempt to get them.

Here’s the problem. It’s simply numbers. SEPTA GM Jeff Knueppel was on TV this morning to explain the predicament. The system can shuttle 500,000 people into the city at capacity. They are expecting upwards of 2 million at the parade. You do the math. SEPTA indicated they would try to get more passes out to the stations today.

Then again if you can get to the 69th Street Terminal, the Market-Frankford line is going to be running free all day. Or you could drive into the city and take your chances finding a parking spot.

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All the parade details & a salute to Eagles head coach Doug Pederson

The party keeps rolling for Eagles fans - and we’re going along for the ride.

First off we have another keepsake centerspread page. Today we’re honoring the man who led these Eagles all season long. That would be Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. Make sure you pick up a copy of our print edition to snag one.

On Thursday we will have another version of our classic “Phinally” front page image of Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles in our centerspread position.

And on Friday you’ll want to pick up a copy of the print edition for a special keepsake section covering the massive Super Bowl Parade planned for downtown Philly Thursday.

If you’re planning to head downtown for the parade, we’ve got a checklist of all the things you need to know.

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Your early morning report from the roads

I don’t often have praise for my work schedule.

Today is one of them.

I just got into the office here a few minutes before 5:30.

I can tell you I just drove through blowing and drifting salt and brine.

In other words, nothing is happening out there.

Yet.

But we’re told it is coming.

Actually, the biggest problem I had was getting stuck at one point behind a salt truck and having my car showered with salt pellets.

As I approached Granite Run Mall I started to notice a few drops on the windshield, and it appeared the roads were wet. Then it stopped again.

None of this is stopping schools from proactively reacting to the forecast. Many are operating on a two-hour delay, including Upper Darby, Garnet Valley and Penn-Delco so far.

This is supposed to start as a period of wet snow and icing, before changing over to steady rain amid rising temperatures this afternoon. We could get drenched this afternoon. The morning rush could be a mess. If you can get out now you won’t have a problem.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until noon for a nasty mix of snow, ice and rain. We’re likely only going to get a coating here, but the ice could make getting around dicey.

You can get the full forecast here.

It is the only thing that can chase the Eagles off the lead on all the local TV news.

The Eagles have realized their “gold standard.” In the TV news business they actually have the “white standard.”

That means snow.

Brace yourself.