A unique ceremony at SEPTA Berridge Shop honors retiring employees who spent decades making SEPTA buses run smoothly.
SEPTA Berridge Bus Shop normally whirrs, clangs, and clatters like any of the Authority’s maintenance facilities. But on occasion… a steady, synchronous rhythm rings out from the North Philadelphia maintenance shop as part of a tradition known as the “hammer out.”
The hammer out is unique to Berridge and occurs on a Berridge employee’s last day before retirement. Everyone in the shop stops working for a few minutes and drums with their tools on any spare surface including metal racks, workbenches, and even dumpsters. It’s a tradition that dates back 30 to 40 years ago. It also draws a sea of familiar faces including former employees coming back around to see old friends and celebrate.
A recent hammer out in late October celebrated sheet metal fabricator specialist Domenico “Dom” Tosto and first-class mechanic Michael Ansbro as they took in the last day of their respective 40-year and 35-year careers with friends, family, and colleagues.
Across two generations there are eight Tosto’s that have worked or are working for SEPTA. Dom’s older brothers Luciano and Nicola served 10 and 37 years respectively for the Authority. Senior Director of Vehicle Maintenance Filomeno “Fil” Tosto is Dom’s younger brother. Their other brother Mario is a mechanic based out of Courtland Maintenance Shop. Dom’s son—Dominic, Jr.—works as a project designer in SEPTA’s engineering department. And Mario’s sons—Mario Jr. and Anthony—work on the track maintenance crew for Subway/Light Rail and as a track inspector for Regional Rail to add to the family affair.
Fil says family inspired him to transfer to Berridge back when he was a mechanic to work alongside his brother. He also wanted to get involved in the one-of-a-kind work done at the shop.
Berridge is located at 2nd & Wyoming in North Philadelphia and was once SEPTA headquarters. It is now home to the Authority’s vehicle overhaul program. Employees repair buses and trackless trolleys from the engine and transmission to the suspensions and brakes and many more fixes and paint jobs in between—all in 60 days. Berridge also specializes in making parts for SEPTA buses ensuring that when they leave the lot they can drive safer for longer which allows the Authority to save money on vehicle purchases and keep maintenance in house.