SOUTH JERSEY & WESTERN

History of the SJ&W

  • February 4, 1830 - Camden & Amboy Railroad chartered by the New Jersey legislature.
  • September 1832 - Completion of single track between Bordentown, NJ and South Amboy, NJ.
    Company owned steamboats carry passengers to/from Philadelphia and Bordentown, and also between New York City and South Amboy.
  • September 1834 - Completion of track between Bordentown, NJ and Camden, NJ. Ferry service begins between Philadelphia and Camden.
  • Late 1834 or early 1835 - Control of the Philadelphia and Trenton RR acquired.
  • 1838 - Trackage completed between Bordentown and Trenton.
  • January 1839 - Trackage complete between Trenton and Jersey City. Section between Jersey City and New Brunswick constructed by the New Jersey Rail Road & Transportation Company.
    This is the beginning of the present day "Northeast Corridor".
  • March 19, 1852 - Camden and Atlantic Railroad chartered.
  • 1853 - Camden and Atlantic reaches Hammonton, NJ.
  • 1854 - Line completed between Camden and Atlantic City, NJ.
  • July 4, 1854 - Regularly scheduled service start between Camden and Atlantic City. Running time is scheduled for 2.5 hours.
  • 1865 - Relationship started with the Pemberton and Hightstown Railroad Company.
  • 1867 - "United Companies" is formed when the NJRR&TC was persuaded into the fold with the C&A and P&T.
  • 1867 - PRR starts through service to Jersey City, using the tracks between Philadelphia and Jersey City.
  • Jan. 1, 1871 - Philadelphia & Trenton Railroad leases Frankford & Holmesburg Railroad, operating between Bustleton and Holmesburg Jct.
  • Jan. 25, 1871 - Ashbel Welch, General President of United Canal & Railroad Companies of New Jersey, writes to PRR calling for a joint committee to resolve all points in dispute with PRR; referred to special committee of PRR Board.
  • Feb. 9, 1871 - PRR Board begins 11-week debate on question of leasing or signing a traffic contract with the United Canal & Railroad Companies of New Jersey.
  • Feb. 13, 1871 - Executive Committee of United Companies notes has negotiated a loan of $2.5 million with Drexel & Co.; notes B&O has discontinued through tickets north of Baltimore, but northern connections just give their passengers B&O local tickets for passage between Baltimore and Washington; William H. Gatzmer reports that New Jersey Southern Railroad is still insisting on an independent agency in Philadelphia and its own express line.
  • Feb. 27, 1871 - Pres. Thomson writes to United Companies Executive Committee asking for reduction in valuation of certain of its properties.
  • Mar. 1871 - New connecting track built between Belvidere-Delaware Railroad and Lehigh Valley Railroad at Phillipsburg, N.J.
  • Mar. 1871 - Belvidere-Delaware Railroad gauge changed from 4'-10" to 4'-9" and gauge of Lehigh Valley Railroad widened.
  • Mar. 11, 1871 - "United Companies" leases Columbus, Kinkora & Springfield Railroad.
  • Mar. 13, 1871 - Ashbel Welch writes to Pres. Thomson saying that United Companies boards refuse to consider a lease for anything less than a 10% annual dividend.
  • Mar. 13, 1871 - United Companies open new ferry station at Debrosses Street and transfer bulk of railroad passenger traffic there.
  • Mar. 13, 1871 - Executive Committee of United Companies reports loss of barge Sturtevant, run down by Inman liner City of Manchester.
  • Mar. 21, 1871 - Woodstown & Swedesboro Railroad incorporated in N.J. to build from Swedesboro to a connection with the Salem Railroad.
  • Mar. 22, 1871 - Mays Landing & Egg Harbor City Railroad incorporated in N.J.
  • Mar. 28, 1871 - N.J. act confirms New Jersey Railroad guarantee of Belleville & Newark.
  • Mar. 30, 1871 - New Jersey Legislature passes charter of German Valley Railroad; bill is a Trojan Horse designed by Henry M. Hamilton; ostensibly for an iron mine railroad in northwestern New Jersey, it contains provisions for consolidating the New Jersey portion of the National Railway; governor refuses to sign, but company proceeds to organize.
  • Apr. 10, 1871 - Executive Committee of United Companies authorizes an additional $500,000 loan from Drexel & Co.; authorizes chartering steamboat William Cook to other operators.
  • Apr. 20, 1871 Ashbel Welch reports to Joint Board of United Companies that PRR has not yet made an offer of 10%; presents letters from J. Edgar Thomson and A.J. Cassatt United Companies have failed to do business at Jersey City properly; also a letter from Pres. Gowen of Reading offering to lease Delaware & Raritan Canal; Board debates issue, W.H. Gatzmer holds out for independent operation; resolve to hold out for 10% lease.
  • Apr. 26, 1871 - PRR Board approves, in principle, a lease of the United Canal & Railroad Companies of New Jersey at 10% annual dividend by vote of 11-4; high rate is particularly burdensome in depression that follows between 1873 and 1879, but Thomson believes cost is justified by giving PRR the best route between Philadelphia and New York.
  • May 1, 1871 - Camden & Amboy begins carrying imported bonded merchandise in locked iron chests (3' x 3' x 5') under control of the Treasury Dept.
  • May 8, 1871 - Joint Board of United Companies debates preliminary draft of PRR lease; agrees that 10% annual payment will be called "rent" and not "dividend"; United Companies to issue 22,500 new shares, which PRR will take in payment for improvements; reads letter of Reading Pres. F.B. Gowen to lease Delaware & Raritan Canal or entire property at same price as PRR plus $500,000 bonus.
  • May 10, 1871 - Stockholders of Joint Companies reject lease to PRR. Propose lease of the Philadelphia to Jersey City route only.
  • May 15, 1871 - United Companies of New Jersey inaugurate a new fast train between Jersey City and Philadelphia via Trenton running in 2:45.
  • May 15, 1871 - PRR Board approves text of United Canal & Railroad Companies of New Jersey revised lease by vote of 12-2.
  • May 19, 1871 - Joint Board of United Companies approves revised lease to PRR by vote of 16-9; those opposed were primarily officers who wanted company to remain independent: Ashbel Welch, W.H. Gatzmer, A.W. Markley, __ Conover, Benjamin Fish, D.S. Gregory, __ Howell, Charles Macalester and Nehemiah Perry.
  • June 14, 1871 Minority stockholders of Joint Companies sue to block revised lease to PRR in New Jersey Court of Chancery.
  • July 1, 1871 - Audit of the United Companies shows the following:
    Stock held in 4 railroads and 1 canal company- Delaware and Raritan Canal.
    Holdings in 13 other railroads, 2 ferry companies, 3 horse car lines, 2 bridges, 4 turnpikes, 1 steamboat line and unnamed telegraph companies.
    These are valued at $38,312,371.
    Rolling stock for the railroads included: 160 locomotives, 221 passenger cars and 2,277 freight cars.
  • July 20, 1871 United Companies agree with Tuckerton Railroad to provide through service to and from Camden.
  • Sep. 11, 1871 - Executive Committee of United Companies authorizes establishment of freight depot at Debrosses Street, New York City; authorizes $10,000 for Francis Bowes Stevens (1814-1909) to continue his experiments in strength of steamboat boilers.
  • Oct. 1, 1871 - United Companies lease Mercer & Somerset Railroad.
  • Oct. 9, 1871 - Executive Committee of United Companies authorizes construction of new station at Rahway; authorizes extension of Perth Amboy & Woodbridge Railroad in Perth Amboy; reports sale of Passaic River turnpike bridge at Newark to counties.
  • Oct. 18, 1871 - Chancellor Zabriskie of New Jersey denies application for injunction blocking revised lease of United Companies. (MB has 10/19?)
  • Oct. 19, 1871 - Camden & Amboy agrees with R.D. Wood & Co. to build branch to their foundry at Florence, N.J., in return for donated right-of-way.
  • Nov. 11, 1871 - Philadelphia & Trenton stockholders approve lease to PRR; last party to do so.
  • Nov. 22, 1871 - Grand Duke Alexis and party travels to Washington for meeting with Pres. Grant; New Jersey Railroad provides special train consisting of baggage car Commissariat, Ruby, fitted as a diner and kitchen, and Kearsarge, fitted as a parlor and sleeper; cars are towed through Baltimore.
  • Nov. 24, 1871 - Grand Duke Alexis's special train returns to New York after a side trip to Annapolis.
  • Nov. 29, 1871 - Last signatures of United Companies affixed to revised PRR lease. (Watkins)
  • Nov. 30, 1871 - Chancellor Zabriskie of N.J. issues preliminary decree in case of Black vs. D&R Canal Co., et al., refusing to issue injunction sought by dissident stockholders to block revised lease of "United Companies" to PRR.
  • Nov. 30, 1871 - Camden & Amboy leases Mount Holly, Lumberton & Medford Railroad.
  • Dec. 1, 1871 - PRR leases some properties of "United Canal & Railroad Companies of New Jersey" and their controlled lines, retroactive to July 1, giving PRR direct access to New York; operations placed under General Superintendent of PRR; lease was dated June 13 but delayed by lawsuit; United Companies also assign leases of some of their leased lines, but not West Jersey Railroad, to PRR effective June 30, 1871.
  • 1880 - Line between Newfield, NJ and Atlantic City, NJ completed.
  • 1894-1896 - Construction of the Delair Bridge across the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Pennsauken, NJ, with connecting link to Atlantic City mainline at Haddonfield, NJ.
  • 1895-1897 Construction of Delaware River Bridge between Bridgeport, NJ and Chester, PA. Purchase of the PRR's Chester Creek branch, routes to Phoenixville, through West Chester, and to Avondale. This is the start of western expansion. Equipment on lines west and south use "UC" reporting marks.
  • 1900 - UC rails reach Washington D.C.
  • 1910 - UC rails reach to Chicago, IL and St. Louis, Mo. This is the limit of western expansion.
  • 1922 - Introduces The Phantom as its premier passenger train between Camden and Chicago.
  • 1933 - UC renames itself South Jersey and Western Holding Company (SJ&WHC), and all controlled railroads the South Jersey and Western Railroad Company (SJ&WRRCo or SJ&W) when it purchases the Reading Railroad's southern New Jersey rail lines.
  • Janurary 1934 - Work starts on the new "Union Station" complex in Atlantic City, with the razing of the Atlantic City Railroad's old station.
  • Feburary 12, 1935 - Atlantic City terminal project is complete at a cost of $4 million.
  • 1937 - SJ&WHC purchases the Fredrick, MD to York, PA branch from the PRR.
  • June 15, 1938 - PRR puts cantenary from Frankfort Jct., Philadelphia, PA to Pavonia Yard, Camden, NJ into operation.
  • 1940 - SJ&WHC purchases CNJ's Southern Division between Bridgeton, NJ and Lakehurst, NJ.
  • September 11, 1946 - Fire destroyes part of the Shore Fast Line's trestle between Somers Point, NJ and Ocean City NJ.
  • 1947 - SJ&W helps to refinance rebuilding of the SFL's bridge to Ocean City.
  • 1947 - The Phantom is re-equipped with new cars and diesels. This is the first time that the The Phantom paint scheme is seen on dedicated cars. Previously it used pooled equipment.
  • Janurary 18, 1948 - SFL abandones trolley operations between Atlantic City, NJ and Ocean City, NJ.
  • 1948 - SJ&W reinstates rail operation, using "doodlebugs", between Atlantic City and Ocean City. Trackage rearrangement in Ocean City, at 8th St., allow trains to use the 10th St. Ocean City Station.
  • 1956 - SJ&W tested the AeroTrain between Camden and Pittsburgh on the The Steel City Ltd. for a period of two months, starting on June 1st. SJ&W was disappointed with the Train of the Future, citing, among other things, very rough ride, power plant access for servicing, and no lounge or full dining car. The lack of a normal food service car was just as important as the rough ride, as the SJ&W prides itself on amenities for its passengers. It was also determined that lack of flexibility of a fixed consist train would hinder matching seats to passengers. Also new dedicated servicing buildings would have to be built for the train.
  • 1956 - SJ&WHC purchases the Washington and Old Dominion. The W&OD keeps its corporate identity. Service to Bluemont is restored, and the trackage from old town Alexandria to Potomac Yard is purchased from the Southern.
  • 1957 - SJ&WHC purchases New York,Ontario & Western. The NYO&W keeps its corporate identity.
  • 1961 - SJ&WHC purchases the Rutland. It also keeps its identity. The old "Grapevine" is rebuilt. New connections are accquired and built to connect it with the NYO&W, between Chatham, NY (Rutland) and Kingston, NY (NY&OW). This new trackage is considered to be part of the Rutland.
  • 1961 - Branch buit to the Atlantic City International Airport. SJ&W sees the potential for new passengers between Atlantic City and the airport.
  • 1962 - 15 new Budd RDCs are purchased for the W&OD for passenger service between Bluemont and Ballston to Washington, D.C.
  • 1963 - Discussions with the New Jersey Expressway Authority, looking to build the Atlantic City Expressway, leads to the conclusion that the Atlantic City terminal is just too busy to move or raze. The A.C.E. is shifted 10 blocks south at its eastern terminus.
  • 1964 - Disscusions with the Delaware Port Authority, about using the right of way between Camden and Lindenwold, NJ, for a rapid transit line, leads to the scrapping of the plan, as the main line is just too busy, and increased service between Hammonton and Camden is begun.
  • 1967 - Branch built from just south of Sewell, NJ to the new Gloucester County College. This branch is passenger only and serves as a shuttle to the campus.
  • 1970 - Start up of South Jersey and Western Airlines. Service is based in Atlantic City and serves Europe, the Caribbean, the west coast, Hawai'i and Alaska. Air freight is also handled.
  • 1971 - Opts out of Amtrak. This also includes all controlled lines.
  • 1976 - Extends GCC branch to the new Deptford Mall. Station is located on the corner of Clements Bridge Rd. and Almonesson Rd., in the Mall Parking lot.
    The enire branch is double tracked, equipped with 261 signalling and has cab signals. Maxium authorized speed is increased to 80mph. The branch is now formally called the Mall Secondary. The Mall Secondary now sees limited freight to the Deptford Mall.
  • 1976 - SJ&WHC purchases the Lehigh and Hudson River, Lehigh and New England, Lehigh Valley, parts of Penn Central, Reading and CNJ prior to the formation of Conrail.
    SJ&W and controlled lines were not considered in the formation of Conrail.
  • 1977 - Takes over NEC commuter services between New York City and Elkton, MD after Conrail wants out. Also takes over some of the Jersey Coast Line service and other northern New Jersey commuter services at this time.
  • 1978 - SJ&WHC purchases the Milwaukee Road. It keeps its corporate identity. SJ&WHC pulls the MILW out of Amtrak and starts operating passenger trains to the west coast from Chicago.
    The Olympia Hiawatha makes a triumphal return.
  • 1980 - SJ&WHC starts to "re-electrify" the W&OD after pressure from groups in the suburban Washington D.C. area about diesel fumes and smoke. It is to be 11kv 25 cycle, the same power that is being used on the North East Cooridor.
  • 1980 - Transcontinental passenger train service is instituted between Camden, NJ and Seattle, WA. The train's name is called, fittingly, The Transcon.
  • 1982 - Electrification of the W&OD is complete. New commuter service starts with newly refurbished "Silverliners" from the SJ&W's fleet.
  • 1984-1986 - Entire Mall Secondary is realigned as the northern portion of New Jersey State Route 55, the "Cape May Freeway", is built. The tracks are now in the median of the new freeway.
  • 1998 - SJ&WHC purchases the Illinois Central. It keeps its corporate identity, is pulled from Amtrak and starts running service to the Gulf Coast.
    The City of New Orleans is once again an IC train.
  • 2000 - The Shore Breeze starts running between Camden, NJ and New Orleans, LA through St. Louis.
  • 2007 - New bilevel service is instituted on the SJ&W and the W&OD.
  • Various years. UC/SJ&W purchase lines that were going to be abandoned or sold, if they fit in with the operating parameters for the railroad. Also some marginal lines starting in the late 1980s were re-equipped for commuter service. Such lines include the Grenloch Branch, the old Williamstown and Delaware River, and the Medford - Haddonfield branch.

Note: Dates in "italics" show actual history. For dates in "bold" delete the words "revised" or "some" to get the "true" story. On May 10, 1871 the stockholders did approve the lease of the UCNJ to the PRR.

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