PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- For decades a trip to 30th Street Station isn't complete without checking out the iconic flip board.It has kept riders on track since 1971 but this weekend, it's coming down.And the future of the flip board remains unclear.It's a sound that's been associated with the 30th Street Station for decades but soak in the sights and sounds of the iconic flipping board while it lasts.In a matter of days, the board will be silenced and replaced with a modern digital display similar to the one from New York's Penn Station. Beth Toll is a spokesperson for Amtrak. "Our beloved solari board is retiring this weekend. It is going to be safeguarded at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania until we can hopefully reincorporate it back into the station as part of our overall master redevelopment plan here at 30th Street," she said.Amtrak says it understands the significance of the flip board and how passengers have come to love it but an update of the board that's been around since the 70s is a must.Employees say a new sign will put the station in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. "The number one reason is that it is not ADA compliant but additionally it doesn't sync with our overall system," said Toll.As our cameras were rolling, passengers pulled out their cell phones to capture the sign in its full glory. Most were not happy to hear it will soon be coming down. "The character and the beauty that we are losing at an all-time rate; thank you baby boomers, is outrageous to me and this is just one more example of the things that if I have children, they will never get to see," said David Alexander Jenkins of Rittenhouse.Susan McLeer of Mount Airy added, "It is like tearing down an architectural historic building and that is the thing that is sad and troubling. "Yes, a piece of history is coming down to make room for modern updates, but if you're bitter about the board coming down, you may find comfort in knowing that Amtrak says it's working to bring it back in some capacity. Just how is not clear but it seems the sign is only coming down temporarily. "It will be back so we like to say it's not goodbye, its see you later," said Toll.-----<doc-sep>The click-clack flipboard at Philadelphia's 30th Street Amtrak station has been temporarily replaced and it's making visitors miss the original even more. The replacement mirrors something you might find in an Ashley's Furniture HomeStore display - a flat screen television that is a fraction of the size of the iconic board. Not sure when the real replacement will get to the station, but hopefully it won't disappoint. More:Polar vortex is making its way to central Pa. and it's bringing dangerous wind chills with it More:From 'Sasquatch' to 'Doo-Doo Butt,' suspects have great nicknames in York County<doc-sep>Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The iconic 30th Street Station flipping board is coming down this weekend. That means no more clickety-clack sound at Philadelphia’s main train station. It’s the end of an era as digital replaces analog as the way travelers get their information at 30th Street Station. The William H Gray III 30th Street Station Solari split-flap board was installed in the 1970s. Workers removed the clock and some signage late yesterday, and come this weekend, the Solari split-flap board will be removed from 30th Street Station. Coming up at noon, see what’s replacing it and where the iconic board is going. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/tRuDcWYjXU — Jan Carabeo (@JanCarabeoCBS3) January 25, 2019 “Pretty sad, honestly. I really like it,” said Camille Brito. “I take the train often and the clickety sound is definitely something I like.” Travelers took a moment from their busy commutes to mark the occasion. The Solari split-flap board is coming down and will be gone by this weekend. An eyewitness captured video as workers started the process Thursday evening, removing the clock and some of the signage. Amtrak says the change is necessary to modernize the station, sync the main board with the gate boards and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The new Passenger Information Display System is necessary to help us modernize the station, comply with ADA-law and sync the main board with the gate boards, which will improve the overall customer experience for our Philadelphia customers,” said David Handera, Amtrak’s vice president of passenger accessibility. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., has been working to save the sign. He tweeted that he is sad about the move, but is also glad that Amtrak has now committed to reincorporating the board into the station’s upgrades. However, it’s still unclear what form that will take. While I’m sad to see Amtrak is removing the sign, I am glad Amtrak has officially committed to reincorporatimg it into the station’s new design. I will continue pushing Amtrak to make the permanent replacement for the old sign a new one that looks and sounds like the Solari. — US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 25, 2019 “I appreciate Amtrak’s ongoing commitment to meeting this challenge with a solution that honors the history of 30th Street Station and ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for all passengers,” said Boyle in a statement. “Accessibility is of paramount importance. However, at 30th Street Station, there is tremendous opportunity to achieve these aims in a manner that also retains the iconic character of the Solari sign – of which thousands of passengers have spoken out in support. I remain committed to continuing my advocacy with Amtrak to achieve such a resolution.” In the meantime, travelers will see temporary displays until the full digital upgrades are complete by the end of February and the Solari is headed to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Travelers hope it comes back with the same look and sound, while others understand sometimes practicality prevails. “Maintaining the clickety-clack, that’s the hard part,” said Drew Joosten. “Maintenance issues make this tough to keep up.” “I guess everything’s going to chance technology. It’s been around a while. Some people may want something more modern,” said Rahman Johnson.<doc-sep>
Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The iconic 30th Street Station flipping board is gone. It displayed one final message as workers removed it from its perch Saturday night: “Farewell Philadelphia.” Workers officially removed the historic “clickity-clack” sign from the Amtrak station Saturday night. The board will be replaced by a modern, digital board, which Amtrak says is needed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The new Passenger Information Display System is necessary to help us modernize the station, comply with ADA-law and sync the main board with the gate boards, which will improve the overall customer experience for our Philadelphia customers,” said David Handera, Amtrak’s vice president of passenger accessibility. The removal began Thursday as workers dismantled some signage and the clock. Iconic Clickety-Clack Flipping Board At 30th Street Station Coming Down This Weekend “Pretty sad, honestly. I really like it,” Camille Brito told Eyewitness News. “I take the train often and the clickety sound is definitely something I like.” The board — officially known as The William H Gray III 30th Street Station Solari split-flap board — was installed in the 1970s. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., has been a big proponent of preserving the board’s historic feel inside the station. On Thursday, he released a statement on the sign’s removal and his hopes that the board will be reincorporated in the station in some fashion. “I appreciate Amtrak’s ongoing commitment to meeting this challenge with a solution that honors the history of 30th Street Station and ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for all passengers,” said Boyle. “Accessibility is of paramount importance. However, at 30th Street Station, there is tremendous opportunity to achieve these aims in a manner that also retains the iconic character of the Solari sign – of which thousands of passengers have spoken out in support. I remain committed to continuing my advocacy with Amtrak to achieve such a resolution.” In the meantime, the new digital upgrades are scheduled to be completed by the end of February. The flipping board will move to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Whether the move will be permanent remains to be seen.