Hartford and New Haven Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Hartford and New Haven Railroad (H&NH) was an important direct predecessor of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
. Its railroad commenced service in 1844 and ended independent operations in 1872. The main line from New Haven, Connecticut
to Springfield, Massachusetts
remains in Amtrak
service.
and New Haven. The grandfather of J. P. Morgan
was an original investor, laying the foundation for the long association between Morgan and the railroads of New England
. It commenced full operation in 1839, with half of the line opening the prior year. The Hartford and Springfield Railroad
was incorporated April 5, 1839. It built the Massachusetts portion of the Hartford-Springfield route, which opened in 1844. In 1847, it was united with the Hartford and New Haven Railroad.
The H&NH was consolidated into the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
in 1872.
had the capability of offering all-water service to Hartford via the Connecticut River
. The New Haven and Northampton Company had the right to build from New Haven to Springfield on an old canal and completed construction from New Haven to Plainville, Connecticut
. In cooperation with the New York and New Haven Railroad
it would have been able to offer all-rail service parallel to the H&NH. It was this threat that led to 18 years of controversy and litigation, culminating in the consolidation of the two lines in 1872. For some years, the resulting line was known as "the Consolidated".
. From Springfield it offered connections toward Albany
, Worcester
, and Boston
. In addition to the New Haven-Springfield route it also served Berlin
, New Britain
, and Middletown, Connecticut
.
Amtrak
now owns the H&NH mainline route, its New Haven-Springfield Line
over which passenger service and local freight service still operate.
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
. Its railroad commenced service in 1844 and ended independent operations in 1872. The main line from New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
to Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
remains in Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
service.
Corporate history
The Hartford and New Haven Railroad of Connecticut was chartered in 1833 to build a railroad between HartfordHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
and New Haven. The grandfather of J. P. Morgan
J. P. Morgan
John Pierpont Morgan was an American financier, banker and art collector who dominated corporate finance and industrial consolidation during his time. In 1892 Morgan arranged the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric...
was an original investor, laying the foundation for the long association between Morgan and the railroads of New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. It commenced full operation in 1839, with half of the line opening the prior year. The Hartford and Springfield Railroad
Hartford and Springfield Railroad
The Hartford and Springfield Railroad is the continuation of the Hartford and New Haven Railroad from the Connecticut state line to Springfield, Massachusetts. It was in length and was owned and run by the Connecticut company under the usual arrangements in such cases. It was opened to traffic and...
was incorporated April 5, 1839. It built the Massachusetts portion of the Hartford-Springfield route, which opened in 1844. In 1847, it was united with the Hartford and New Haven Railroad.
The H&NH was consolidated into the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
in 1872.
Competition
The steamship lines of Long Island SoundLong Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
had the capability of offering all-water service to Hartford via the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
. The New Haven and Northampton Company had the right to build from New Haven to Springfield on an old canal and completed construction from New Haven to Plainville, Connecticut
Plainville, Connecticut
Plainville is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 17,328 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.8 square miles , of which 9.8 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water...
. In cooperation with the New York and New Haven Railroad
New York and New Haven Railroad
The New York and New Haven Railroad was a railroad connecting New York City to New Haven, Connecticut along the shore of the Long Island Sound. It opened in 1849, and in 1872 it merged with the Hartford and New Haven Railroad to form the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad...
it would have been able to offer all-rail service parallel to the H&NH. It was this threat that led to 18 years of controversy and litigation, culminating in the consolidation of the two lines in 1872. For some years, the resulting line was known as "the Consolidated".
Route
The original focus of the line was to provide a link between the interior cities of the Connecticut River valley, especially Hartford and Springfield with New York through connections to steamship service on Long Island Sound to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. From Springfield it offered connections toward Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, and Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In addition to the New Haven-Springfield route it also served Berlin
Berlin, Connecticut
Berlin is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 19,866 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1785. The geographic center of Connecticut is located in the town. Berlin is residential and industrial, and served by the Amtrak station of the same name...
, New Britain
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
, and Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
.
Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
now owns the H&NH mainline route, its New Haven-Springfield Line
New Haven-Springfield Line
The New Haven–Springfield Line or Hartford Line is a railroad line owned by Amtrak from New Haven, Connecticut north to Springfield, Massachusetts. As a branch of the Northeast Corridor at New Haven, it is served by approximately seven daily Regional round trips, some continuing from New Haven to...
over which passenger service and local freight service still operate.