West Jersey and Seashore Railroad
Encyclopedia
The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S) was a Pennsylvania Railroad
subsidiary that became part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
in 1933.
The WJ&S, as a subsidiary of the PRR, had two lines coming from its Federal Street Terminal in Camden, New Jersey:
On October 28, 1906, an accident in Atlantic City
killed 53 people when a three-car train plunged off an open swing bridge.
on March 19, 1852.
The line was built from Camden
to Atlantic City
via Berlin
. In late June 1854, it was completed sans the drawbridge over the Thorofare outside of Atlantic City; regular passenger service started on July 4. This line is currently used for passenger service by PATCO and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line
.
The PRR gained control of the Camden and Amboy Railroad (C&A) through its subsidiary West Jersey Railroad on January 1, 1883.
on February 5, 1853 to build a line from Camden
, New Jersey
to Cape May
, New Jersey
. The line was then built with the backing of the C&A from Camden to Glassboro. The first 8.2 miles of the line used the abandoned right-of-way built by the Camden and Woodbury Railroad. The line was completed in 1863. In that year the WJ directors decided to build a line to Bridgeton NJ, and later build the line from Glassboro to Millville and Cape May
.
via Mays Landing, New Jersey
. It was incorporated on November 6, 1879 and was completed on June 16, 1880. This railroad was ultimately leased to the WJ.
The line was abandoned from Newfield to Mays Landing on December 31, 1958. The segment from Mays Landing to McKee City follwed on August 18, 1966. In 2003, a portion of the line from Egg Harbor Township to Mays Landing was convered to a rail trail
as part of the Atlantic County Bikeway
.
The railroad was completed from Haddonfield to Medford by July 1881. In January 1885 it was operated by the Camden and Atlantic, and later as a part of the West Jersey & Seashore Railroad when it was operated as the Medford Branch until its abandonment on November 2, 1931.
to Penns Grove
. The line was opened in July 1876, but declared bankruptcy in January 1879 and reincorporated as the DRR. On April 30, 1900, the WJ&S acquired the DRR.
(RDG) merged their southern New Jersey railroad lines into one company, the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
(PRSL). Duplicative lines were abandoned as part of the consolidation. The PRR had a 2/3 ownership, and the RDG maintained 1/3 ownership.
On July 15, 1933, the Atlantic City Railroad (a subsidy of the RDG) leased the WJ&S railroad and joined the PRSL.
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
subsidiary that became part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines was a railroad that operated in southern New Jersey in the 20th century. It was created as a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Company .- History :...
in 1933.
History
On May 4, 1896, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) consolidated all of it railroads and several smaller properties in southern New Jersey into the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S).The WJ&S, as a subsidiary of the PRR, had two lines coming from its Federal Street Terminal in Camden, New Jersey:
- The Main Line to Atlantic City and to other shore points via Winslow Junction using trackage rights on ACRR's Cape May Branch to Woodbine Junction and its Capy May line to Ocean City, Wildwood, and Cape May. line.
- The Millville Line via Woodbury to Millville and splitting off at Newfield to Atlantic City was electrified with 650v DC 3rd rail and overhead wire.
- A line branching off at Millville
- Branches going to Salem, and Deep Water Point from Woodbury, and Bridgeton from Glassboro.
On October 28, 1906, an accident in Atlantic City
1906 Atlantic City train wreck
The 1906 Atlantic City train wreck happened in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday October 28, 1906 when a West Jersey and Seashore Railroad electric train fell off a draw bridge, drowning 53 people.-Accident:...
killed 53 people when a three-car train plunged off an open swing bridge.
Camden and Atlantic Railroad
This railroad was granted its charter by the state of New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
on March 19, 1852.
The line was built from Camden
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
to Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
via Berlin
Berlin, New Jersey
Berlin is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,588.Berlin was incorporated as a borough on March 29, 1927, from portions of Berlin Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 26,...
. In late June 1854, it was completed sans the drawbridge over the Thorofare outside of Atlantic City; regular passenger service started on July 4. This line is currently used for passenger service by PATCO and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line
Atlantic City Line
The Atlantic City Line is a rail line operated by New Jersey Transit between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, New Jersey, operating along the corridor of the White Horse Pike. It runs over trackage that was controlled by both the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Pennsylvania-Reading...
.
The PRR gained control of the Camden and Amboy Railroad (C&A) through its subsidiary West Jersey Railroad on January 1, 1883.
West Jersey Railroad
The West Jersey Railroad (WJ) was granted its charter by the state of New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
on February 5, 1853 to build a line from Camden
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
to Cape May
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The line was then built with the backing of the C&A from Camden to Glassboro. The first 8.2 miles of the line used the abandoned right-of-way built by the Camden and Woodbury Railroad. The line was completed in 1863. In that year the WJ directors decided to build a line to Bridgeton NJ, and later build the line from Glassboro to Millville and Cape May
Cape May
Cape May is a peninsula and island ; the southern tip of the island is the southernmost point of the state of New Jersey, United States. It runs southwards from the New Jersey mainland, separating Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean...
.
Millville and Glassboro Railroad
The Millville and Glassboro Railroad (M&G) was built by a group of Millville businessmen independently of the West Jersey Railroad. Incorporated in March 1859, the M&G was completed in October 1860, and was later leased to the WJ in 1869. The M&G started to build a line from Millville to Cape May, but funds dried up and the line was not completed.Cape May and Millville Railroad
In 1863, a group of Cape May County investors was granted a charter by the state of New Jersey on March 9, 1863 to build the Cape May & Millville Railroad (CM&M). Construction was completed in 1867, and leased to the WJ in 1869.Salem Railroad
The Salem Railroad was incorporated on March 14, 1856, stretching from Elmer to Salem, New Jersey. Construction was completed in 1863, and leased to the WJ on January 1, 1868.Swedesboro Railroad
The Swedesboro Railroad was built from Woodbury to Swedesboro (10.8) miles by the WJ. Construction started in 1867 and was completed in October 1869.Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad
On January 21, 1882, the WJ built a linr from the end of the Swedesboro Railroad to Riddleton Junction on the Salem Railroad upon request of agricultural interests in Woodstown. Construction was in February 1883. This effectively gave the WJ two different routes into Salem.Maurice River Railroad
The Maurice River Railroad was built by the WJ to obtain a share of the lucrative Delaware Bay oyster business. Incorporated on June 17, 1887, the 9.76 mile long line stretched from Manumuskin to Maurice River. It was completed on November 1, 1887.West Jersey and Atlantic Railroad
In 1879, the PRR directed the WJ to build a line from Newfield to Atlantic CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
via Mays Landing, New Jersey
Mays Landing, New Jersey
Mays Landing is a census-designated place located within Hamilton Township, in Atlantic County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 2,321. It is the county seat of Atlantic County...
. It was incorporated on November 6, 1879 and was completed on June 16, 1880. This railroad was ultimately leased to the WJ.
The line was abandoned from Newfield to Mays Landing on December 31, 1958. The segment from Mays Landing to McKee City follwed on August 18, 1966. In 2003, a portion of the line from Egg Harbor Township to Mays Landing was convered to a rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
as part of the Atlantic County Bikeway
Atlantic County Bikeway
The Atlantic County Bikeway is a rail trail in Atlantic County, New Jersey.It occupies a abandoned rail corridor of the West Jersey and Atlanitc Railroad later the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in Atlantic County that extends from The Shore Mall in Egg Harbor near Garden State Parkway exit...
.
Philadelphia Marlton and Medford Railroad
This railroad was incorporated in January 1880.The railroad was completed from Haddonfield to Medford by July 1881. In January 1885 it was operated by the Camden and Atlantic, and later as a part of the West Jersey & Seashore Railroad when it was operated as the Medford Branch until its abandonment on November 2, 1931.
Delaware River Railroad
The Delaware River Railroad (DRR) was incorporated on February 20, 1873 as the Delaware Shore Railroad to build a line from WoodburyWoodbury, New Jersey
Woodbury is a city in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, 10,307 residents were counted. Woodbury is the county seat of Gloucester County....
to Penns Grove
Penns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,886.Penns Grove was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1894, from portions of Upper Penns Neck Township Penns Grove is a...
. The line was opened in July 1876, but declared bankruptcy in January 1879 and reincorporated as the DRR. On April 30, 1900, the WJ&S acquired the DRR.
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
On November 2, 1932, the PRR and Reading CompanyReading Company
The Reading Company , usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states...
(RDG) merged their southern New Jersey railroad lines into one company, the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines was a railroad that operated in southern New Jersey in the 20th century. It was created as a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Company .- History :...
(PRSL). Duplicative lines were abandoned as part of the consolidation. The PRR had a 2/3 ownership, and the RDG maintained 1/3 ownership.
On July 15, 1933, the Atlantic City Railroad (a subsidy of the RDG) leased the WJ&S railroad and joined the PRSL.
See also
- Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania RailroadThe Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
- Reading CompanyReading CompanyThe Reading Company , usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states...
- Central Railroad of New JerseyCentral Railroad of New JerseyThe Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
- New Jersey Southern RailroadNew Jersey Southern Railroad- Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad :The New Jersey Southern Railroad began life as the Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad Company , in March 1854. The R&DB was chartered to construct a railroad from the Raritan Bay to Cape Island , near the outlet of the Delaware Bay. It was to form part of a...
- 1896 Atlantic City rail crash1896 Atlantic City rail crashThe 1896 Atlantic City rail crash occurred soon after 6:30 pm on July 30, 1896 at a crossing just west of Atlantic City, New Jersey, crushing five loaded passenger coaches, killing 50 people and seriously injuring approximately 60.-Accident:...
- Railroad electrification in the United StatesRailroad electrification in the United StatesRailroad electrification in the United States comprised many different systems in many different geographical areas, few of which were connected. Despite this, there were a small number of common reasons for electrification....
Book Sources/References
- 1) Trans-Anglo Books By Rail to the Boardwalk (1986) Richard M. Gladulich ISBN 0-87046-076-5
- 2) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS West Jersey Rails (1983) NRHS
- 3) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS West Jersey Rails II (1985) NRHS
- 4) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS West Jersey Rails III (2002) NRHS
- 5) Crusader Press Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (1980) ISBN 0-937-156-02-7
- 6) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS The Reading Seashore Lines (2007) LIbrary of Congress Control Number 2005936161
- 7) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS Atlantic City Railroad (1980) Library of Congress Control Number 77-79997
- 8) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS The Philadelphia Marlton and Medford Railroad Co. 1881 - 1931 (1973)
- 9) West Jersey Chapter-NRHS The Trains to America's Playground (1988) Morning Sun Books Inc.
- 10) Pennsylvania- Reading Seashores Lines In Color (1996) ISBN 1-87887-57-2
- 11) Robert Stanton The Railroads of Camden New Jersey (2006)
- 12) Robert Stanton Trolley Days in Camden New Jersey (2004)
External links
- Your # 1 source of Southern New Jersey Railroad History on the Internet!
- The Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
- The West Jersey Chapter of the NRHS
- The history of the line to Atlantic City New Jersey
- Railroad.net Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines forum
- Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines equipment roster