Pennsylvania–Reading Seashore Lines

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Pennsylvania–Reading Seashore Lines
System map (former Pennsylvania lines in red, former Reading lines in purple)
Reporting mark	PRSL, PRL, P-RSL
Locale	Camden, New Jersey, Winslow Jct NJ to Atlantic City NJ, Millville NJ and Cape May NJ
Dates of operation	1932–1976
Successor	Conrail, NJT
Headquarters	Camden, New Jersey
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Pennsylvania–Reading Seashore Lines (reporting mark P-RSL) was a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Reading Company in southern New Jersey.

Contents 1 History 2 Predecessors 2.1 West Jersey and Seashore Railroad 2.2 Atlantic City Railroad 3 Passenger Trains 4 Freight Trains 5 Steam locomotives 5.1 Class B: 0-6-0 5.2 Class E: 4-4-2 5.3 Class H: 2-8-0 6 Diesel locomotives 6.1 Baldwin Locomotive Works 6.2 General Motors Electro-Motive Division (GM-EMD) 7 Passenger Motor Cars 7.1 Gas-electric car 7.2 Budd Rail Diesel Car 8 Passenger Cars 9 Freight Equipment 10 Cabin Cars (Cabooses) 11 Main Line 11.1 History 12 Branch Lines 13 Secondary Tracks 14 Towers 15 Timeline 1932 — 1976 16 Successor Railroads 17 References 18 Further reading 19 See also 20 External links

[edit] History

In the early 20th century, Atlantic City and the South Jersey seashore were major seaside vacation destinations for the Philadelphia area for both wealthy and working class alike. The popularity of South Jersey's seashore was made possible by rail transport providing inexpensive and fast service between the cities and towns where people lived and the seashore where they played.^[1]

There were two competing railroad companies connecting Camden (and by ferry to Philadelphia), with the resorts of Southern New Jersey seashore.^[2] Competition was fierce and by its height in the 1920s competition between the West Jersey and Seashore (PRR) and the Atlantic City Railroad (RDG) was so keen that at one time both lines boasted some of the fastest trains in the world.^[1] Trains often raced one another so as to be the first to arrive at their destination. Racing was encouraged by the fact that in many areas, the two lines were only several hundred feet apart. On the Cape May lines, the trains were in sight of each other for 11 miles between Cape May Court House and Cape May. Over the last 5 miles into Cape May, the tracks were only 50 feet apart.

On 1 July 1926, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge opened.^[3] It was originally called Delaware River Bridge, and spanned the Delaware River, connecting Philadelphia and Camden.^[3] Car, truck and bus usage increased as the State of New Jersey built roads in the 1920's and 30's next to the railroads going from the Camden to the shore, cutting into profits.^[4]

On 4 March 1931, New Jersey's public utility regulators ordered the two companies to join their southern New Jersey lines into one company, The Consolidation Agreement had decreed that the Pennsylvania Railroad had two-thirds ownership, and the Reading Company had one-third ownership. ^[3] But the post-war rise of the automobile and the Atlantic City Expressway built in the 1960's not only caused people to abandon the railroad for their cars, but also to abandon Atlantic City for more exotic vacation destinations. By the late 1960s, the surviving former Camden and Atlantic Main Line was reduced to a commuter service funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDoT) running trains of Budd RDC railcars operating from a small terminals at Lindenwold PATCO station and Atlantic City.

With both of its owners bankrupt,(BUT NOT THE P-RSL) on 1 April 1976 Conrail took over the P-RSL .^[3]

[edit] Predecessors

[edit] West Jersey and Seashore Railroad

Effective May 4, 1896 the Pennsylvania Railroad consolidated all of it railroads and several smaller properties in Southern New Jersey into The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad.

The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad(WJ&S) was a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It had 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 , and its line via Woodbury to Millville. Electrified with 650v DC 3rd rail and overhead wire.^[3]

With Branches going to Salem, and Deep Water Point from Woodbury, and Bridgeton from Glassboro.

While the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad line via Woodbury was a pioneering example of railroad electrification. Electric MU service between Newfield and Atlantic City ended Sept. 26, 1931 so P-RSL only inherited the electrified Millville-Camden commuter rail service from WJ&S. ^[3]

[edit] Atlantic City Railroad

Effective 1 April 1889 the Philadelphia and Reading Railway consolidated all of it railroads in Southern New Jersey into The Atlantic City Railroad.^[5]

The Atlantic City Railroad (ACRR), a subsidiary of the Reading Company had one line from its Kaighn's Point Terminal going to Winslow Junction with lines splitting off to Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood, and Cape May.^[4]

And a line to Grenloch via the Gloucester Bramch. Also the Willamstown Branch from Willamstown Jct (on the Atlantic City Main) to Mullica Hill NJ to the south and Atco New Jersey to the North.

On 15 July 1933, The West Jersey & Seashore Railroad was leased by the Atlantic City Railroad, and changed its name to Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, as the Consolidation Agreement had decreed.^[3]

[edit] Passenger Trains

[edit] Freight Trains

From ETT No. 8-A In effect 27 Oct, 1963

Crew Symbol	Notes	Route
CA-289/298	‡	Pavonia Yard - Atlantic City
CA-299/300	‡	Pavonia Yard - Willamstown Jct
OC-90/91	¿	Pavonia Yard - Ocean City
WY-33/34	‡	Pavonia Yard - Millville
WY-50/51	‡	Pavonia Yard - Salem
WY-79/80	¢ ‡	Pavonia Yard - Glassboro
WY-345/346	†	Millville - Clayton
WY-350/351	‡	Millville - Leesburg
WY-379/380	‡	Glassboro - Bridgeton
WY-390/391	$ ‡	Cape May - Tuckahoe
WY-842/843	¿	Pavonia Yard - Penns Grove
WY-846/847	‡	Pavonia Yard - Pedricktown

Notes

• ($) Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Wildwood.

• (¢) Tuesday and Friday - Willamstown.

• (†) Daily except Saturday and Sunday.

• (‡) Daily except Sunday.

• (¿) Daily except Saturday.

[edit] Steam locomotives

The 21 Steam Locomotives owned by the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (P-RSL) are from one predecessor, the West Jersey & Seashore Railroad (WJ&S). ^[3]

They included PRR types.

[edit] Class B: 0-6-0

The 0-6-0 type was assigned class B, and was used in switcher service.

• B-6sb
• B8

[edit] Class E: 4-4-2

The 4-4-2 "Atlantic" type was assigned class E. and was used in passenger service.

• E-3sb
• E6s

[edit] Class H: 2-8-0

The 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type was assigned class H, and was used in freight service.

• H-6sb
• H9s
• H10s

Since the Consolidation Agerrment had decreed that the PRR Mechanical Deptartment would oversee equipment policy decisions, the P-RSL did not gain ownership of any Atlantic City Railroad (ACRR) - Reading Co. (RDG) Steam locomotives. ^[3]

Additional Steam Locomotives were leased as needed from P-RSL's parent companies - the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and Reading Railroad (RDG) . ^[3]

[edit] Diesel locomotives

The P-RSL's diesel locomotives were painted in a shade of green so dark it seemed almost black. The PRR official name for this color was DGLE (Dark Green Locomotive Enamel). Often it was referred to as "Brunswick Green". The undercarriage of the locomotives were painted in black referred to as True Black.

Additional Diesel locomotives were leased as needed from P-RSL's parent companies - the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and Reading Railroad (RDG) . ^[3]

[edit] Baldwin Locomotive Works

Builder Model designation/PRR Class	Notes	Build month/year	Total owned	AAR wheel arrangement	Prime mover	Power output	Road №
DRS-4-4-1500 / BS-15ms	† ‡	4/1950	6	B-B	608SC	1,500 hp (1,100 kW)	6000-6005
S-8 / BS-8	฿	5/1951	1	B-B	606	800 hp (600 kW)	6006
AS-16 / BS-16ms	† ₡ ₣	3/1953	10	B-B	608A	1,600 hp (1,200 kW)	6007-6016
S-12 / BS-12	฿	6-7/1953	5	B-B	606A	1,200 hp (890 kW)	6017-6021
AS-16 / BS-16m	† ₤	3/1953	2	B-B	608A	1,600 hp (1,200 kW)	6022-6023
AS-16 / BS-16ms	† ♦	11/1953	4	B-B	608A	1,600 hp (1,200 kW)	6024-6027
S-12 / BS-12m	♥	4/1956	6	B-B	606A	1,200 hp (890 kW)	6028-6033

Notes

• (†) All were built with dual control stands.

• (‡) were rated for 65 mph.

• (฿) did not have mu installed, and rated for 60 mph.

• (₡) were rated for 70 mph.

• (₣) 6011-6016 were painted in the ivy green AKA "Green Hornets" . But all were black, by 1956.

• (₭) 6011-6016 & 6024-6027, they were rated for 80 mph.

• (₤) were built for freight service, and rated for 65 mph.

• (♦) were a cancelled order by the Reading Co., № 551 to 554 were built in 1953 with dynamic brakes and conventional mu (as opposed to BLW's air-controlled design). In 1956 the P-RSL acquired the units and had the dynamic brakes removed, BLW air-controlled mu and steam boilers installed .

• (♥) have mu installed, and rated for 60 mph.

[edit] General Motors Electro-Motive Division (GM-EMD)

Builder Model designation/PRR Class	Notes	Build month/year	Total owned	AAR wheel arrangement	Prime mover	Power output	Road №
GP38 / EF-20A	♣	12/1967	5	B-B	EMD 16-645E	2,000 hp (1.5 MW)	2000-2004
GP38 / EF-20A	♣	3/1969	5	B-B	EMD 16-645E	2,000 hp (1.5 MW)	2005-2009

Note

• (♣) built with dual control stands, which required the front of the cab to be built out an extra foot to allow extra room in the cab.

[edit] Passenger Motor Cars

[edit] Gas-electric car

Also known as a Doodlebug

Road Number	PRR Class	Builder	Builder Model	Built month/year	Power output	Note
400	OEW250A	Brill	250A	9/1926	250	†
401	OEG350B	Pullman/Brill	350B	4/1929	350 2x175	‡

Note

• (†) Ex PRR № 4635 acquired 5/7/1935 Retired 5/6/1952 Scrapped.
• (‡) Ex PRR № 4654 acquired 5/7/1935 Retired 5/6/1952 Sold to F.C. de Tunas Railway (Cuba).

[edit] Budd Rail Diesel Car

Model	Note	Built month/year	Total owned	Road Numbers
RDC-1	#	9/1950 - 6/1951	12	M-402 - M-413

Note

• (#) M-404 and M-412 Destroyed in Camden shop fire on February 16, 1958.

[edit] Passenger Cars

The P-RSL inherited the following from the WJ&S: ^{[3] [1]}

71 PRR-Type P-70 Passenger Cars №'s 9865-9936 (Steel, 44 seats)

21 PRR-Type PB-70 Passenger-Combines Cars №'s 9938-9958 (steel, 40 seats) 9959-9962 (steel, 40 seats)

17 various PRR-Type Mail and Baggage Cars №'s 25 (steel underfame), 6403 (steel), 6428-6438 (steel), 9963-9966 (steel)

Additional Passenger Cars were leased as needed from P-RSL's parent companies - the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and Reading Company (RDG), and sometimes from the Central Railroad of New Jersey. ^[3]

The PRSL did not own any of the P70’s that carried its name. They were leased from the West Jersey & Seashore.

The passenger cars of the Pennsylvania–Reading Seashore Lines were painted Tuscan Red. This is a brick colored shade of red.

[edit] Freight Equipment

The P-RSL owned no Freight Equipment.

[edit] Cabin Cars (Cabooses)

Class	Note	Built month/year	Total owned	Road Numbers
ND	† ♥	??	21	203 - 224
N-5	† ‡ ♠ ♣	3/17 - 11/29	22	200 - 202, 225-242
N-11E	‡ ♦	9/69	3	250 - 252

Notes

• (†) PRR Class, built by PRR
• (‡) Penn Central Class
• (♥) Inherited from the WJ&S, all retired in 1950.
• (♠) №'s 200-202 inherited from the WJ&S. № 200 built 3/17 to Conrail , № 201 built 8/17 retired 9/9/69, № 202 built 4/19, retired 9/9/69.
• (♣) №'s 225-242 rebuilt by the PRR and sold to P-RSL in 1950. № 232 retired 9/9/1969, № 237 retired 8/12/1972, №'s 241-242 retired 1/20/1973, rest to Conrail.
• (♦) Built new by the Penn Central's Hollidaysburg shops, all went to Conrail.

[edit] Main Line

From ETT No. 8-A In effect 27 Oct, 1963

The Main Line (Mile Post 0.0 to 57.9) 57.9 miles, is the former Camden and Atlantic line. It was the main passenger route from Camden and Philadelphia (via the Delair Bridge Line) to Atlantic City (and Cape May via Winslow Junction and the Cape May Branch ).

[edit] History

On 3 April 1964 the P-RSL sold the right of way between Kirkwood station in Lindenwold and Camden to the Delaware River Port Authority for $2,150,000 in order to build the (PATCO) HiSpeedline. On 14 January 1966 the last train ran over the " Main Line " between Center Tower in Camden and Vernon Tower in West Haddonfield , as result of PATCO construction. On 1 October 1969, service over Delair Bridge Line between Lindenwold and the Delair Bridge was abandoned, and passengers had to change to the PATCO High Speed Line at Lindenwold. Today it is known as the NJT Atlantic City Line .

[edit] Branch Lines

From ETT No. 8-A In effect 27 Oct, 1963

• Millville

The Millville Branch (Mile Post 0.0 to 41.2) is the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad ,Ex West Jersey Railroad . From Camden via Woodbury and Glassboro to Millville. Electrified 1906-1949 with 650v DC 3rd rail and overhead wire .

• Clementon

The Clementon Branch (Mile Post 2.8 to 25.9) is the former Atlantic City Railroad ,Ex Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway . From Brown Tower in Camden via Clementon to Winslow Junction.

• Cape May

The Cape May Branch (Mile Post 25.9 to 80.0) 79.29 miles, is the former Atlantic City Railroad Ex Seacoast Railroad. From Winslow Junction via Tuckahoe to Cape May .

• Ocean City

The Ocean City Branch (Mile Post 53.8 to 66.8) is the former Atlantic City Railroad Ex Ocean City Railroad. From Tuckahoe to Ocean City at 10th street.

• Wildwood

The Wildwood Branch (Mile Post 72.5 to 76.5) 4.06 miles, is the former Atlantic City Railroad Ex Wildwood and Delaware Bay Short Line Railroad . From Wildwood Junction to Wildwood .

• Penns Grove

The Penns Grove Branch (Mile Post 8.8 to 32.7) is the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad ,Ex Delaware River Railroad From Woodbury to Penns Grove .

[edit] Secondary Tracks

From ETT No. 8-A In effect 27 Oct, 1963

• Manumuskin

The Manumuskin Secondary Track (Mile Post 41.2 to 48.5) is part of the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Ex Cape May and Millville Railroad from Millville to Manumuskin.

• Leesburg

The Leesburg Secondary Track (Mile Post 46.8 to 52.5 ) is the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Ex Maurice River Railroad from Manumuskin to Leesburg.

• Williamstown

The Williamstown Secondary Track (Mile Post 18.2 to 25.7) is part of the former Atlantic City Railroad Ex Williamstown and Delaware River Railroad exx Williamstown Railroad. from Glassboro to Williamstown.

• Grenloch

The Grenloch Secondary Track (Mile Post 2.8 to 13.4) 9.63 miles, is the former Atlantic City Railroad Ex Camden, Gloucester & Mt Ephraim Railway, and Camden County Railroad . Its nickname is The Peanut Line .

• Deep Water Point

The Deep Water Point Secondary Track (Mile Post 29.1 to 32.7) this goes from end of the Penns Grove Branch to The Deep Water Power Plant located on the Delaware River.

• Salem

The Salem Secondary Track (Mile Post 8.8 to 37.5) is the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad ex Salem Railroad from Woodbury to Salem.

• Woodbine

The Woodbine Secondary Track (Mile Post 56.8 to 60) is a short part of the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Ex Cape May and Millville Railroad. From Woodbine to Woodbine Junction .^[6]

• Somers Point

The Somers Point Secondary Track (Mile Post 59.3 to 66.1)^[7]

• Bridgeton

The Bridgeton Secondary Track (Mile Post 18.2 to 38.9)

• Newfield

The Newfield Secondary Track (Mile Post 47.7 to 64.4) is part of the former West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Ex West Jersey and Atlantic Railroad from Mays Landing to Atlantic City. At one time electrified with 600v DC 3rd rail.^[8]

[edit] Towers

From ETT No. 8-A In effect 27 Oct, 1963

Main Line

• Alan
• Center
• Vernon
• Winslow
• Tide (R - Atlantic)
• Atlantic

[edit] Timeline 1932 — 1976

^[9]

• February 13, 1828 Camden, N.J., incorporated as a city.

• January 26, 1932 New Jersey Gov. A. Harry Moore calls meeting for Feb. 3 to consider consolidation of PRR and Reading lines in South Jersey.

• In June 1933, ACRR was authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon its main line east of Winslow Junction in favor of the parallel West Jersey & Seashore Railroad line. Some trackage was retained for freight service to local industries in Hammonton, Egg Harbor and Pleasantville.

• June 10, 1933 P–RSL abandons former West Jersey & Seashore line from point 2.5 miles east of Woodbine Jct. to Cape May, also 9.81 miles of WJ&S Ocean City Branch, WJ&S Stone Harbor Branch, and portion of WJ&S Wildwood Branch from Wildwood Jct. to Shellinger Avenue.

• June 24, 1933 Last runs of passenger service over former West Jersey & Seashore lines between Harbor Branch Jct. and Cape May and between 55th and 8th (?) Streets, Ocean City, preparatory to consolidation.

• June 25, 1933 PRR and Reading Company lines in southern New Jersey consolidated; West Jersey & Seashore Railroad leased to Atlantic City Railroad; connections built to ACRR north of Harbor Branch Jct. and 51st Street, Ocean City; WJ&S Cape May terminals and WJ&S Ocean City track abandoned; most other duplicate lines continue to operate through the summer season; buses replace rail service between 51st Street, Ocean City and Sea Isle City for summer.

• July 11, 1933 P–RML establishes bus service between Cape May Court House and Stone Harbor.

• July 14, 1933 Last run of Atlantic City Railroad passenger service between Williamstown Jct. and Glassboro, N.J.

• July 15, 1933 Atlantic City Railroad Co. (Reading subsidiary) renamed Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (P–RSL); PRR receives 66% percent interest and lease of WJ&S transferred to P–RSL. P–RSL becomes a separate operating unit with its own general manager; is subtracted from Atlantic Division which is reduced to Camden-Bay Head Jct. and branches, but Atlantic Division and P–RSL retain common staff at divisional level; Pres. and VP are alternately from Reading or PRR each year.

• Aug. 1, 1933 P–RSL discontinues weekday service between Townsends Inlet and Stone Harbor, N.J. and establishes bus service between Cape May Court House, Stone Harbor and Avalon; Sunday and Labor Day train service to Avalon and Stone Harbor continues.

• Aug. 21, 1933 Pennsylvania-Reading Motor Lines, Inc (P-RML)., incorporated to combine bus operations of Pennsylvania Greyhound Transit and Reading Transportation Company in P–RSL territory.

• Sep. 23, 1933 P–RSL closes former ACRR terminal at Kaighns Point, Camden, although only 10 years old; property sold back to Reading Company for freight use; passenger service discontinued on former Camden, Gloucester & Mt. Ephraim Railway west of West Jersey connection in Gloucester; also last runs of passenger service over ex-PRR lines between Stone Harbor and Townsends Inlet and between Sea Isle City Jct. and Sea Isle City.

• Sep. 24, 1933 P–RSL restores rail passenger service between 51st Street, Ocean Cty, and Sea Isle City.

• Nov. 4, 1933 Last runs of P-RSL passenger service over ex-WJ&S lines between Woodbine Jct. and Harbor Branch Jct. (Cape May) and between Wildwood Jct. and Wildwood.

• Nov. 23, 1933 Philadelphia, Cedar Brook & Atlantic City RPO and Winslow & Cape May RPO combined to Philadelphia & Ocean City RPO.

• Dec. 2, 1933 P-RSL closes ex-ACRR station in Atlantic City in favor of ex-WJ&S station; last run of passenger trains over ex-ACRR line between Winslow Jct. and Atlantic City.

• Dec. 3, 1933 P-RSL abandons ex-ACRR line between Winslow Jct. and Atlantic City; begins operating all Ocean City/Cape May trains over ex-ACRR line between Camden and Winslow Jct. and all Townsend Inlet/Sea Isle City trains into ex-ACRR station at 51st Street, Ocean City; through trains from Philadelphia to Ocean City and Sea Isle City discontinued.

• 1933 PRSL abandons 1.23 miles of Gloucester Branch.

• January 30, 1934 the ICC authorized P-RSL to abandon Glassboro Railroad.

• March 28, 1934 Pennsylvania-Reading Motor Lines, Inc., leases all bus operations to Public Service Coordinated Transport, which becomes the dominant bus carrier in southern New Jersey.

• May 13, 1934 New BROWN Interlocking placed in service at South Camden.

• June 1, 1934 Last run of P-RSL passenger service on former Stone Harbor Railroad between Cape May Court House and Stone Harbor, N.J.

• June 3, 1934 WINSLOW Tower placed in service replacing former WJ&S and ACRR interlockings at Winslow Jct.

• June 7, 1934 New ALAN Tower opens controlling throat of Camden Terminal.

• June 24, 1934 Train service to new Atlantic City terminal begins; tracks and platforms completed but head house unfinished.

• June 30, 1934 Last run of P-RSL passenger service between Gloucester and Grenloch, N.J.

• July 9, 1934 P-RSL acquires property of Wildwood & Delaware Bay Short Line Railroad at foreclosure.

• July 18, 1934 Electric trains transferred from 7th Street track to Van Hook Street Cutoff in Camden, N.J.

• July 25, 1934 ATLANTIC Tower placed in service controlling entrance to Atlantic City station.

• July 26, 1934 New CENTER Tower placed in service controlling 3rd Street Jct. at Camden Terminal.

• Sep. 29, 1934 P-RSL grade level line on 7th Street, Camden, abandoned.

• Sep. 30, 1934 Old WJ&S (ex-Camden & Atlantic) Atlantic City terminal on South Carolina Ave. closes at 12:30 AM; all trains begin using new terminal on Oct. 1.

• Oct. 24, 1934 New Atlantic City Terminal dedicated; set to coincide with birthday of Mayor Bachrach, who initiated city redevelopment efforts and for whom boulevard on former WJ&S right-of-way is named.

• Nov. 11, 1934 Last PRSL passenger train runs between Sea Isle City and Townsends Inlet.

• 1934 Reading Transportation Company (Reading's bus subsidiary) assigns its Philadelphia-Atlantic City, Atlantic City-Ocean City-Wildwood, Wildwood-Cape may, and Wildwood-Avalon routes to Pennsylvania-Reading Motor Lines.

• 1934 P-RSL abandons Williamstown-Williamstown Jct. and 0.2 miles of Mississippi Avenue Branch in Atlantic City.

• Feb. 12, 1935 Atlantic City terminal project completed.

• Apr. 1935 Pennsylvania-Reading Motor Lines, PRSL bus subsidiary, sold to Public Service Interstate Transport.

• July 14, 1935 Atlantic City & Shore ( Shore Fast Line ) electric trains rerouted between the Thorofare and Atlantic and Virginia Avenues using P-RSL tracks on Georgia, Mississippi and Atlantic Avenues.

• Sep. 1935 P-RSL single-tracked between Glassboro and Newfield.

• Sep. 19, 1935 Philadelphia & Ocean City RPO cut to Philadelphia & Winslow Jct. RPO.

• Nov. 21, 1935 Pres. Clement orders VP in Charge of Operations John F. Deasy to conduct feasibility study for Budd lightweight diesel streamliner in Broad Street-Atlantic City service.

• 1935 P-RSL single-tracks Newfield Branch between Newfield and Pleasantville.

• Mar. 1936 P-RSL establishes Fishing Bureau in Philadelphia to provide information and arrange boat charters.

• Apr. 8, 1936 VP in Charge of Operation John F. Deasy informs Budd that. on the basis of his Philadelphia-Atlantic City cost studies, the PRR is "not interested" in offer of diesel streamliners; figures that are more expensive than conventional steam train through need for back-up equipment.

• June 7, 1936 Rapid transit (subway) line over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge begins operating between 8th & Market Streets, Philadelphia, and Broadway, Camden, drawing additional passengers off PRR ferries.

• July 15, 1936 For first time since Benjamin Franklin Bridge opened, Philadelphia & Camden Ferry travel returning from shore requires operating all five boats on a four-minute headway.

• July 1936 PRSL absorbs Stone Harbor Railroad Company.

• Sep. 26, 1937 Philadelphia & Winslow Jct. RPO extended to Philadelphia & Cape May RPO via Cedar Brook.

• Sep. 26, 1937 PRSL applies names to all Philadelphia/Camden-Atlantic City trains carrying parlor or lounge cars, not just Boardwalk Flyer.

• Apr. 30, 1938 Former ACRR ferries make last runs between Chestnut Street and South Street, Philadelphia, and Kaighns Point, Camden.

• May 1, 1938 Charter of Delaware River Ferry Company of New Jersey (Reading subsidiary) expires; Kaighns Point Terminal is demolished later in year.

• 1939 PRSL modernizes passenger cars with metal sash, new seats and ventilating fans.

• 1939 PRSL abandons bulk of Chelsea Branch in Atlantic City.

• 1940 PRSL completes track elevation and new station at Absecon.

• Sep. 27, 1941 Last run of CNJ Blue Comet after years of operating losses; CNJ exits New York-Atlantic City passenger market, leaving only PRR service.

• Oct. 22, 1941 PRSL abandons Alloway & Quinton Branch.

• Sep. 13, 1942 Last run of summer-only through train No. 1046-1049 with coaches and parlor cars between Washington and Atlantic City.

• Sep. 19, 1942 Last run of PRSL summer-only, Sunday-only passenger service between Ocean City and Sea Isle City, N.J.

• Sep. 27, 1942 Last run of summer-only passenger service on Harbor Springs Branch;not resumed in 1943 because of war.

• Sep. 27, 1942 PRSL drops all train names and parlor cars withdrawn because of war.

• 1942 PRSL abandoned between Williamstown Jct. and Atco.

• 1942 PRSL removes second track on Baltic Avenue Branch in Atlantic City.

• Jan. 20, 1943 PRSL abandons 4.7 miles of Salem Branch between Daretown and Riddleton.

• June 9, 1943 PRSL abandons remaining 6.42 miles of ex-WJ&S Ocean City Branch.

• June 27, 1943 PRSL ceases operating direct summer service to and from Philadelphia via Delair Bridge on Sundays as part of war effort; some weekday trains continue to run via Delair.

• Dec. 20, 1943 Bennett station renamed Erma, N.J.

• 1943 PRSL abandons 0.33 mile connecting track to former WJ&S line between 51st and 55th Streets, Ocean City; also 6.42 miles of ex-WJ&S line between 55th Street and Sea Isle City.

• Feb. 1944 Harry Babcock named General Manager & Traffic Manager of PRSL, replacing J.O. Hackenberg, given leave for health.

• June 17, 1944 PRSL discontinues all Bridge trains to and from Atlantic City on weekends and holidays and shifts all equipment to Camden route.

• Jan. 31, 1945 Pennsylvania-Reading Motor Lines, Inc., dissolved.

• Apr. 28, 1946 PRR restores operation of through trains and parlor cars between Philadelphia and Atlantic City via Delair Bridge; also restores through Washington-Atlantic City summer-only parlor car, but without through trains as in prewar years.

• July 22, 1946 Atlantic City Race Track opens, but without rail service.

• Aug. 19, 1946 Garden State Race Track opens adjacent to PRSL main line in Cherry Hill, N.J.; "Pony Express" race track extras begin operating from Philadelphia.

• Oct. 8, 1946 Philadelphia & Cape May RPO discontinued.

• 1946 Atlantic City-Longport branch abandoned.

• May 25, 1947 Atlantic City Race Track spur opens off PRSL main west of Atlantic City; "Pony Express" race track extras begin operating from Philadelphia and New York. (or rail service begins 7/27/47??)

• June 14, 1947 Despite PRR's official boycott of General Motors' Train of Tomorrow, VP James M. Symes orders Motive Power officials Howell T. Cover and Clair I. Clugh to inspect the train at Atlantic City, where it is on display at the AAR convention; suggests that PRR should develop dome cars that can clear catenary; however, Symes makes excuses to avoid attending any official receptions held to mark the train's arrival in display cities.

• Jan. 1, 1948 State of New Jersey adopts new constitution increasing railroad taxes.

• Jan. 18, 1948 Atlantic City & Shore Railroad ends electric passenger service between Atlantic City and Somers Point; last passenger service on PRSL Somers Point Branch.

• May 24, 1948 PRR moves 18,000 passengers to Shriner's convention in Atlantic City in 62 trains and 750 cars.

• Oct. 20, 1948 NJ PUC orders PRSL to retire all wooden MU cars by Dec. 31 and air condition 60 P70 coaches.

• 1948 Philadelphia-Camden ferry service discontinued between hours of 9:00 PM and 5:30 AM.

• Feb. 16, 1949 Glassboro & Bridgeton RPO discontinued. (Kay)

• Feb. 25, 1949 Philadelphia & Wildwood RPO cut to Philadelphia & Millville RPO.(Kay)

• Feb. 26, 1949 Last run of PRSL passenger service between Milville and Cape May on old WJ&S route via Woodbine Jct. (tt)

• June 20, 1949 PRSL discontinues electric commuter trains between Glassboro and Millville. (tt)

• June 25, 1949 Philadelphia & Atlantic City RPO discontinued. (Kay)

• Sep. 24, 1949 Last run of electric commuter trains between Camden and Glassboro.

• Sep. 1949 Budd introduces the RDC, self-propelled Rail Diesel Car.

• May 24, 1950 PRR Board approves order of 12 Budd RDC's for PRSL in lieu of air conditioning 20 coaches as ordered by court.(MB)

• June 25, 1950 Nelly Bly name restored for first time since World War II; Sea Breeze established as an all air-conditioned Philadelphia-Atlantic City train.

• July 8, 1950 Last run of PRSL passenger service between Woodbury and Penns Grove. (tt)

• Oct. 18, 1950 PRSL receives first order of six Budd RDCs. (AR)

• Oct. 24, 1950 ICC approves abandonment of PRSL between Elmer and Daretown, N.J.

• Nov. 15, 1950 ICC approves abandonment of PRSL between South Seaville and Woodbine, N.J. (NYT)

• Dec. 8, 1950 PRSL Cape May Real Estate Branch to Schellengers Landing closed.

• Dec. 30, 1950 Last runs of PRSL passenger service between Newfield and Atlantic City on former electric route and between Woodbury and Salem. (tt)

• 1950 PRSL completes modernization and air-conditioning of 60 P70 coaches.(AR)

• 1950 PRSL abandons lines: Glassboro-Mullica Hill (6.31 miles), Cape May Real Estate Branch (ex-ACRR 1.06 miles), and Riddleton Branch (4.55 miles). (AR)

• Feb. 18, 1951 PRSL announces a second order for six Budd RDC's, to be delivered by summer. (NYT)

• May 1951 PRSL receives first of its second order of six Budd RDC's. (AR)

• 1951 PRSL receives last six RDCs; the 12 owned by PRSL are the only RDCs on PRR system. (AR)

• 1951 PRSL abandons line between Manumuskin and Woodbine. (AR)

• Mar. 31, 1952 Philadelphia-Camden ferry makes last run at 9:10 PM. (VPO)

• Apr. 14, 1952 New Jersey creates the New Jersey Highway Authority to build the Garden State Parkway, running from the New York suburbs to all shore points.

• May 13, 1952 New Broadway, Camden, station completed with escalator connections to Bridge rapid transit line. (CE)

• July 12, 1952 Last run of PRSL passenger service between Glassboro and Bridgeton, N.J. (tt)

• Aug. 28, 1952 NJ PUC permits PRR and PRSL to raise intrastate commuter fares to same level as interstate fares. (NYT)

• Aug. 29, 1952 Eastern railroads, including PRR and PRSL, agree to sign union shop agreement with 17 non-operating unions, but without checkoff of union dues; 15 are AFL, Marine Engineers Association was CIO, and Train Dispatchers Association independent; was pushed by AFL to block rival CIO organizing; PRR later signs union shop contracts with operating Brotherhoods. (AR, RyAge, NYT)

• Sep. 8, 1952 New Jersey PUC grants 15% increase in intrastate commuter fares.(PRSL AR)

• Sep. 24, 1952 Philadelphia & Camden Ferry Company dissolved. (MB)

• Sep. 27, 1952 Last run of Philadelphia & Millville RPO. (Kay)

• Oct. 8, 1952 PRR Board authorizes retirement of transfer bridges Nos. 1 & 2 at Camden Terminal. (MB)

• 1952 PRSL receives 10 Baldwin road switchers, 6 with gearing for high-speed Atlantic City service. (AR)

• Jan. 4, 1953 Camden Terminal closes; all passenger trains originate and terminate at Broadway Station beginning Jan. 5; two trains northbound and one southbound also load at point opposite Front Street, Camden.

• Feb. 15, 1953 Locust Street Subway opens for revenue service between 8th & Market and 16th & Locust in Philadelphia as extension of Camden Bridge Line; tunnel had been begun in 1917 and had lain empty since 1931. (SEPTA,BlltnAlmnc)

• Nov. 1953 PRSL abandons Leesburg to Maurice River, 3.9 miles. (Guide)

• Dec. 15, 1953 Coopers Point Branch in Camden abandoned and Coopers Point Yard connected to new line along Delaware River to ALAN (?) Tower. (CE)

• 1953 PRSL single-tracks line between Camden and Winslow Jct. (AR - verify -which route?)

• Aug. 27, 1954 PRR files with N.J. PUC to discontinue all three New York-Atlantic City trains, including the Nellie Bly, and substitute Trenton-Atlantic City service, effective Sep. 26, 1954. (NYT)

• Oct. 6, 1954 Former PRR Camden Terminal and Ferry House, being used as a farmers' market, destroyed by fire. (BlltnAlmnc)

• Oct. 1, 1955 Last run of "Pony Express" race track extras between New York and Atlantic City Race Track. (Coxey)

• Dec. 28, 1955 Atlantic City Transportation Company converts former PRR streetcar line on Atlantic Avenue to buses.

• Dec. 31, 1955 Last run of parlor cars between Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

• Apr. 9, 1956 Baggage service withdrawn from New York-Atlantic City trains.

• Sep. 9, 1956 Last run of summer-only through coaches and parlor cars between Washington and Atlantic City (trains No. 142/1029-1024/155). (tt)

• Oct. 27, 1956 Checked baggage service discontinued on PRSL to Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May. (i.e. not restored in 4/1957)

• Dec. 28, 1957 Last run of Saturday parlor cars between New York and Atlantic City. (tt)

• Apr. 26, 1958 Last run of PRSL passenger service between Wildwood and Cold Spring Harbor, N.J. (tt)

• Sep. 1, 1958 Last trip of Atlantic City-Pittsburgh sleeper.

• Oct. 25, 1958 Last run of PRSL passenger train between 10th Street, Ocean City, and Ocean City Gardens.

• Feb. 16, 1959 New Jersey creates Division of Railroad Transportation in State Highway Dept. to cope with accelerating collapse of commuter rail system. (NYT)

• Feb. 24, 1959 PRSL asks NJ PUC to discontinue 19 trains.

• May 2, 1959 Herbert A. Thomas named Executive Director of N.J. Railroad Transportation Division. (NYT)

• Sep. 8, 1959 Last run of last New York-Atlantic City buffet parlor car service on Nellie Bly. (Guide)

• Dec. 30, 1959 New Jersey PUC permits PRSL to drop 8 daily and 2 Saturday Camden-Hammonton locals.

• June 22, 1960 NJ Governor Robert B. Meyner signs commuter rail subsidy law; subsidies to begin Aug. 1; PRSL $437,000 per year.

• Oct. 10, 1960 PRSL applies to New Jersey PUC to discontinue all passenger service.

• Apr. 28, 1961 Last run of PRSL commuter passenger service between Clementon and Hammonton, N.J., via old ACRR line. (tt)

• Apr. 29, 1961 Nellie Bly, last New York-Atlantic City passenger train, makes last run.(tt)

• May 19, 1961 PRSL applies to ICC to discontinue all passenger service.

• Oct. 28, 1961 Last run of Philadelphia-Atlantic City Sea Breeze; last named train on this run. (tt)

• Apr. 4, 1962 ICC denies PRSL application to abandon all passenger service. (ICC)

• Apr. 16, 1962 Reading inaugurates two daily round trip freight runs between Port Richmond and Bulson Street, Camden, via Delair Bridge and abandons car float service; last trip Apr. 15.

• July 1, 1962 State of New Jersey begins subsidizing PRSL passenger service at rate of $200,000 per year.

• Dec. 5, 1962 Last run of "Pony Express" race track specials between Philadelphia and Garden State Race Track in Cherry Hill, N.J. (Coxey)

• Mar. 1963 PRR discontinues car floating at Philadelphia; fleet had been reduced to tug Altoona, which was sent to New York to replace the older Baltimore, and four car floats; floats were by then used entirely for ship-side loading from open cars. (VPO)

• Oct. 6, 1963 Last run of Saturday and Sunday passenger service between Philadelphia/Camden and Cape May, Wildwood and Ocean City, including bus connection to Stone Harbor. (A-sheet)

• Apr. 3, 1964 PRR and PRSL sign contract with Delaware River Port Authority for extension of High Speed Line from Broadway, Camden, to Kirkwood along PRSL right-of-way.

• June 11, 1964 Ground broken for PATCO high-speed transit line between Camden and Lindenwold.

• Feb. 21, 1965 Atlatic City Station closes; replaced by small depot in former yard area. (elsewhere Feb. 27! - Wentzel has 2/27 as date converted to bus station)

• Feb. 27, 1965 New Atlantic City passenger station west of Ohio Avenue placed in service at 10:00 AM; old station and Georgia Avenue, Mississippi Avenue Branch and remainder of Chelsea Branch abandoned; abandonment permits new approaches to Atlantic City Expressway to be built across right-of-way; old station sold to Atlantic County Improvement Authority.

• Apr. 26, 1965 City of Atlantic City acquires Mississippi Avenue Branch, which it maintains as a private siding to serve Convention Hall.

• June 8, 1965 PRSL opens new connection of Newfield Branch with main line over Atlanitc City Expressway 0.8 miles "north" of former connection at "PENRED".

• July 9, 1965 PRSL conveys old station property and Columbus Park to City of Atlantic City; retains Mediterranean and Baltic Avenue Branches.

• July 16, 1965 Last run of PRSL commuter service over old ACRR line between Camden and Clementon, N.J.

• 1965 New engine and car shop opens at Pavonia, N.J., near Camden.

• 1965 Last section of Atlantic City Expressway opens between Pleasantville and Atlantic City.

• Jan. 15, 1966 Last runs of passenger trains between Camden (Broadway) and West Haddonfield; tracks removed to permit construction of PATCO transit line on former PRSL right-of-way; (or no Sat. pass & last 1/14)

• Jan. 16, 1966 All Atlantic City and Cape May trains routed into 30th Street via Delair Bridge; Pemberton and Millville locals continue to terminate at Broadway; PRSL abanonded between Division Street, Camden, and "VERNON"; PRSL single-tracked between West Haddonfield ("VERNON") and Kirkwood; PRSL freights begin operating into Pavonia Yard via Delair instead of to Camden.

• Jan. 17, 1966 Public Service Coordinated Transport begins operating connecting bus service for PRSL between Camden and Haddonfield; old Haddonfield station at Kings Highway closes and new temporary station opens at Euclid Avenue.

• Aug. 1, 1966 PRSL abandons Somer's Point branch between Linwood and Somer's Point.

• Sep. 21, 1966 ICC approves single-tracking PRSL between Winslow Jct. and Absecon.

• Sep. 30, 1966 Last run of passenger train (Camden-Millville and Camden-Pemberton) from Broadway Station,, Camden; last passenger service between Broadway and "CENTER" Tower; former Amboy Division main line abandoned between "CENTER" Tower and Delaware River; PRSL South Camden Branch connected with former PRR trackage to form a continuous belt line along the Delaware River from "BROWN" Tower to Coopers Point.

• Oct. 3, 1966 PRR establishes new terminal for Camden-Millville and Pemberton-Camden trains on old Camden & Amboy main line at 12th & Federal Streets in Camden, with bus connection to Bridge Line at Broadway. (AR)

• Oct. 30, 1966 PRSL discontinues all checked baggage service.

• Nov. 11, 1966 PRSL abandons Newfield Branch between McKee City and Mays Landing.

• Dec. 12, 1966 New Jersey Transportation Act of 1966 creates Dept. of Transportation, integrating planning for all modes, and Commuter Operating Agency to administer subsidy contracts with railroads and make capital improvements; D.J. Goldberg named Commissioner. (NYT)

• Late 1966 PRR removes electrification between Frankford Jct. and Pavonia Yard over Delair Bridge.

• Jan. 28, 1970 Penn Central Board approves new car shop, engine house and car retarders at Pavonia Yard in Camden.

• May 21, 1973 Penn Central restores electrification between Frankford Jct. and Pavonia Yard.

• Jan. 31, 1976 State of New Jersey cancels $1 million annual contract payments to PRSL.

• Feb. 2, 1976 PRSL applies to abandon all passenger service. effective Feb. 7.

• Feb. 13, 1976 ICC grants permission for PRSL to formally abandon Wildwood Branch, unused since June 1974. (PRRFAX)

[edit] Successor Railroads

• PATCO Speedline (DRPA)
• Conrail Shared Assets Operations (CSAO)
• Southern Railroad of New Jersey (SRNJ)
• New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJT)
• Winchester and Western Railroad (WW)
• Cape May Seashore Lines (CMSL)
• SMS Rail Service (SLRS)

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Trans-Anglo Books By Rail to the Boardwalk (1986) Richard M. Gladulich ISBN 0-87046-076-5
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS West Jersey Rails (1983) NRHS
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS West Jersey Rails II (1985) NRHS
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS West Jersey Rails III (2002) NRHS
• Crusader Press Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (1980) ISBN 0-937-156-02-7
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS The Reading Seashore Lines (2007) LIbrary of Congress Control Number 2005936161
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS Atlantic City Railroad (1980) Library of Congress Control Number 77-79997
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS The Philadelphia Marlton and Medford Railroad Co. 1881 - 1931 (1973)
• West Jersey Chapter-NRHS The Trains to America's Playground (1988) Morning Sun Books Inc.
• Morning Sun Books Inc Pennsylvania- Reading Seashores Lines In Color (1996) ISBN 1-87887-57-2
• Morning Sun Books Inc Pennsylvania- Reading Seashores Lines In Color II (2009) . ISBN 1-87887-57-2
• Robert Stanton The Railroads of Camden New Jersey (2006)
• Robert Stanton Trolley Days in Camden New Jersey (2004)

[edit] See also

• Pennsylvania Railroad
• Reading Company
• Central Railroad of New Jersey
• New Jersey Southern Railroad
• 1922 Winslow Junction Train Derailment
• 1896 Atlantic City rail crash
• Atlantic City Express Service
• Shore Fast Line
• Delair Bridge
• PATCO Speedline

[edit] External links

• The Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
• The West Jersey Chapter of the NRHS
• Railroad.net Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines forum
• Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines EQUIPMENT ROSTER
• Seashore Lines Reading Company 1954 Freight Shippers' Guide - Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
• P-RSL Photos
• P-RSL Baldwin Diesels Photos

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