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New Jersey Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

The information included here covers a general history of New Jersey interurbans and streetcar railroads once operated throughout the state. Interurban railroads were once a common form of transportation for many towns both large and small although they began to fall out of favor in the 1930s and 1940s for the common automobile as its technology and better highways became vastly improved and more reliable. While interurbans served a vital transportation purpose prior to reliable autos and highways from a historical perspective they are fascinating because of many small companies that popped up and also disappeared nearly overnight. During the peak of interurban operations in the country there were even several builders of motorcars including J. G. Brill & Company, St. Louis Car Company, Pullman-Standard, American Car Company, Standard Steel and the Jewett Car Company.

The information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most New Jersey interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Atlantic Coast Electric Railway: The Atlantic Coast Electric Railway connected Allenhurst with Long Branch and Sea Girt. It began operations in 1895 and operated until 1927 when it became known as the Coast Cities Railway. It lasted only four years more until being discontinued in favor of buses.

Atlantic City & Shore Railroad: The Atlantic City & Shore Railroad began operations in 1906 and connected Atlantic City with Ocean City. Lasting longer than most other interurban railroads it was finally discontinued in 1948 in favor of buses. Interestingly the interurban never purchased much new equipment operating its original fleet of streetcars from its inception.

Pennsylvania-Reading-Seashore Lines: The Pennsylvania-Reading-Seashore Lines or PRSL was a jointly operated electrified commuter operation between the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroads in southern New Jersey. It connected Camden with Atlantic City, Cape May and several branches extending south and west of these points.

Morris County Traction: The Morris County Traction began operations in July of 1904 originally serving Dover. Ten years later, however, the system had expanded service to also reach Newark, Morristown and Summit. The interurban railroad was abandoned in 1928 and its operations converted to buses.

Atlantic & Suburban Railway: The Atlantic & Suburban Railway began operations in 1908, created by the reorganization of the Atlantic City & Suburban Traction Company. The interurban railroad operated about 16 miles of track connecting Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Absecon and Somers Point.

Atlantic Highlands, Red Bank & Long Branch Electric Railway: The Atlantic Highlands, Red Bank & Long Branch Electric Railway was the first incorporated interurban railroad to serve Red Bank. It began operations in 1896 and lasted just five years until 1901 when it became the Monmouth County Electric Railway. Streetcar service lasted another twenty years before being discontinued in 1921 when buses replaced the operation.

Jersey Central Traction: The Jersey Central Traction Company began operations in 1901 taking over from the Keyport & Matawan Street Railway, which dated back to 1891, when the line was electrified. At its peak Jersey Central Traction connected Perth Amboy, Red Bank and Highlands. In 1917 the interurban was purchased by the American Railways Company and streetcar service was discontinued by 1923.

Trenton Princeton Traction Company: The Trenton Princeton Traction Company operated within the City of Trenton and would come under the control of the Reading Railroad. Passenger service on the railroad lasted until 1941 but freight service carried on into the 1970s before the route was finally abandoned.

Trenton Transit: Trenton Transit was another interurban railroad serving the City of Trenton. It remained in operation until December of 1934 when service was discontinued in favor of buses.

Bergen County Traction Company: The Bergen County Traction Company began operations in 1896 serving the City of Weehawken. It lasted only four years before becoming the New Jersey & Hudson River Railway & Ferry Company in 1900. The property again changed hands in 1910 when it was purchased by the Public Service Railway Company. Streetcar service lasted until 1938 when it was abandoned in favor of buses.

Five Mile Beach Electric Railway: The Five Mile Beach Electric Railway is one of the rare few interurban railroads to still be in operation today. It began operations in 1902 and has served the Cape May area for over a century, and now also provides bus services. For more information about this interurban please visit their website by clicking here.

Other notable New Jersey interurbans and streetcar railroads:

Brunswick Traction Company

Burlington & Mt. Holly Railroad (A Pennsylvania Railroad subsidiary, later known as the Burlington County Traction Company.)

Camden & Trenton Railway

Camden Ferry Terminal

Cape May, Delaware Bay & Sewells Point Railroad

Jersey City, Hoboken & Patterson Street Railway

Perth Amboy Railroad

Trenton & Mercer County Traction Corporation

Trenton, New Hope & Lambertville Street Railway

Union Traction Company

West Jersey & Shore Railroad (Served Atlantic City.)

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting New Jersey interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.

For more reading on New Jersey interurbans consider picking up a copy of the book The Electric Interurban Railways in America by authors George Hilton and John Due. Many consider their book to be the quintessential resource guide to the interurban and streetcar railroad movement that was once so common in our country during the first half of the 20th century. At nearly 500 pages the book is stuffed full of information on trolley operations and covers virtually every topic on the subject. If you have any interest in trolleys and interurban railroads and/or would like to learn more about their history I would strongly consider Mr. Hilton and Mr. Due's book first before purchasing any other.

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