East Stroudsburg (NJT station)
| Company type | Railroad station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1856 |
| Fate | Passenger service ended January 6, 1970; building relocated and preserved |
| Headquarters | East Stroudsburg , United States |
| Products | Passenger rail service (historical) |
East Stroudsburg station, constructed in 1856 by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, holds historical significance as a key rail stop serving both East Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Commonly referred to as the Dansbury Depot due to its later function as a dining establishment, the facility is situated on Crystal Street within East Stroudsburg. Passenger operations ceased on January 6, 1970, following the discontinuation of the Lake Cities service by the Erie Lackawanna Railway.
There is an ongoing proposal to extend NJ Transit services to a reconstructed East Stroudsburg station. Furthermore, in spring 2021, Amtrak revealed intentions to explore a possible New York–Scranton corridor. The station also accommodates select excursion trains originating from the Steamtown National Historic Site.
History
Throughout its operational years, the station was a stop for multiple passenger trains of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad and later the Erie-Lackawanna system. In addition to the Lake Cities, notable trains included the Owl/New York Mail, Twilight/Pocono Express, and the DL&W’s premier service, the Phoebe Snow.
Redevelopment
Stroudsburg benefits from its connection to Interstate 80, which links the Pocono Mountains region with North Jersey and New York City. Traffic congestion frequently begins near the Delaware Water Gap and continues into New Jersey. The former DL&W "cutoff" mainline runs parallel to I-80 and has potential to alleviate highway traffic if fully restored along its 28.6-mile stretch between Slateford Junction, PA, and Port Morris, NJ.
On October 26, 2009, a significant fire caused extensive damage to the station depot.
In July 2010, developer Troy Nauman entered into an agreement to acquire East Stroudsburg station with intentions to demolish it for constructing a three-story apartment complex. This plan triggered community-led preservation initiatives spearheaded by the Save the Dansbury Depot Citizens Group, which successfully advocated for a development moratorium. Their Facebook campaign attracted more than 3,600 supporters committed to protecting this historic landmark.
Preservation efforts were bolstered by a $500,000 commitment from Dr. Joseph Mattioli, owner of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Although an initial injunction was granted on July 24, 2010, halting demolition temporarily, it was overturned four days later. Despite public resistance, demolition commenced soon after.
New location
Responding to community advocacy, The Eastburg Community Alliance devised a restoration plan focusing on preserving the oldest section of the original station. Despite early demolition activity, the building was saved and relocated temporarily to a public parking area east of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority tracks while awaiting installation of a permanent concrete foundation.
By summer 2011, the station had been placed on its new foundation across from its original location. Renovations were underway aimed at reinstating its historic Lackawanna railroad design elements. Notably, during relocation, the structure was rotated 180 degrees so that it now faces the tracks as initially intended.
The station is positioned near the locally preserved Lackawanna Signal Tower.
Although operations of the DL&W railroad ended long ago, one track extending westward from Stroudsburg toward Scranton remains in use. The Delaware–Lackawanna Railroad provides short-line freight service along this route. Additionally, tourist excursions originating from Scranton—home of the Steamtown National Historic Site and located less than 50 miles away—utilize this track. Crossing signals have been modernized to meet current safety standards.
The original site of the station has since been redeveloped with a new apartment building adjacent to the rail line. The former platform shed—enclosed during conversion for commercial purposes—still exists as part of this structure.
NJT station
NJ Transit, which provides commuter service to both New York City and Philadelphia, has taken ownership of the former DL&W right-of-way located in New Jersey and commenced track reconstruction at the eastern section of the New Jersey Cutoff. The objective is to reestablish rail connections westward through New Jersey reaching Stroudsburg.
The proposal includes constructing a new East Stroudsburg station positioned south of the original location, situated between the railway and Crystal Street. This facility will offer 228 parking spots alongside a single side-level platform. Positioned approximately from New York City, it will form part of the revitalized Lackawanna Cut-Off line linking Port Morris, New Jersey with Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The ongoing initiative, known as the Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project, seeks to reinstate passenger rail service to East Stroudsburg and the Pocono Mountains. In April 2022, NJ Transit authorized a $32.5 million contract focused on upgrading a tunnel and reconstructing track between Blairstown, New Jersey and Port Morris—an area where rails were dismantled during the 1980s.