Madison station (NJ Transit)
| Company type | NJ Transit rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Headquarters | Madison , United States |
| Products | Passenger rail services |
Madison station serves as a NJ Transit rail stop located in Madison, New Jersey, positioned along the Morristown Line.
In 1984, it gained recognition by being added to both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places under the Operating Passenger Railroad Stations Thematic Resource designation.
The station's construction took place in 1916, funded by a $159,000 investment (adjusted for inflation) approved by local authorities, with planning input from the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Much of the road grading work required for raising the tracks was supported through private donations.
19th century
The rail route passing through Madison, New Jersey began with the 1835 chartering of the Morris and Essex Railroad, which received approval from the New Jersey State Legislature on January 29. According to the surveying agreements, Morris and Essex was obligated to stop all trains at Madison.[1] This commitment was confirmed in January 1836 near what is now Kings Road by the local Presbyterian Church.[2] The line operated between Newark and Morristown, designating Madison as one of three scheduled stops alongside Orange station and Millburn station. On September 17, 1837, passenger service commenced,[1] initially utilizing horse-drawn cars that carried 30 passengers before transitioning to a locomotive named the "Orange," crafted by Seth Boyden.[2]
Originally, Madison's station consisted of a modest shack located near a turntable. Passengers would signal trains to stop by waving a white handkerchief.[2] This station acted as a temporary endpoint until completion of the Morristown extension on January 1, 1838.
In September 1843, local residents obtained permission to erect a new station at what is now Waverly Place and Kings Road. By 1860, further enhancements were necessary; Samuel Tuttle from Madison Presbyterian Church and Lathrop played key roles in facilitating expansion efforts with the Lackawanna Railroad. The station was moved to Madison’s municipal hall location, with relocation expenses totaling $12,000 (), shared between the railroad company and town officials.
Subsequent track improvements included replacing wooden ties in 1861 to accommodate heavier equipment and initiating construction of a second track in 1867. In December 1868, facing financial difficulties, the Morris and Essex Railroad was purchased by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.[2]
1877 fire
On October 21, 1877, a fire originating in a grocery store’s feed room on Waverly Place caused damage to Madison station depot and several nearby buildings. After firefighters forced open a door to access the blaze, strong winds spread flames rapidly to adjacent structures such as the YMCA and G.W. Squier’s home. The fire ultimately destroyed the railroad station completely; however, all tickets and baggage were saved. Cleanup began on October 22, with reconstruction plans underway by October 27.
By January 1878, local impatience grew due to slow progress on rebuilding the depot. Temporary ticketing and baggage services required passengers to cross hazardous tracks. This frustration continued through February and March. Although stone materials arrived at the site early in March, community members doubted that construction would commence promptly. Arrival of lime mid-March indicated that building work was imminent. A prominent resident appealed to Lackawanna officials to provide at least a temporary facility for ongoing service. Construction of the new platform was approved in November 1878 and completed by January 1, 1879.
20th century
In March 1903, the Lackawanna Railroad installed electrical wiring at the depot.
By August 1913, the Lackawanna Railroad had acquired approximately $250,000 worth of local real estate spanning 1,149 acres between Chatham and Madison. These purchases, made through Alexander Eagle's agency, were presumably intended to facilitate track realignment. Among the acquisitions was a 65-acre parcel that necessitated the partial demolition of an existing residence.
In December 1913, George J. Ray, the chief engineer for Lackawanna Railroad, unveiled a proposal to elevate the railroad tracks and construct a new station on the south side near Green and Maple Avenues. The comprehensive plan included landscaped park areas surrounding the station, several underpasses at major street crossings, aesthetic enhancements, and a tunnel linking both sides of the tracks equipped with waiting rooms and baggage handling facilities.
The design proposed closing certain crossings such as Ridgedale Avenue and Kings Road while substituting others with steel girder bridges or extended roadways. The closure of Ridgedale Avenue met resistance from Madison’s incoming mayor, Benyew D. Philhower, due to concerns over traffic flow; however, the railroad maintained that the crossing’s low usage and challenging grade would add $100,000 to the project’s cost beyond the $1 million budget.
Negotiations between Madison borough officials and the Lackawanna Railroad broke down in late December 1913 despite railroad president William Truesdale offering concessions including concrete ballast bridge floors, upgraded crossings, improved drainage and sewer systems, and additional land. The borough declined these proposals, resulting in a halt to discussions.
By early 1916, construction had commenced on the new station.
Station layout and services
Madison station serves as a two-track facility on New Jersey Transit's Morristown Line, which is part of the Morris and Essex Lines. The station is designed with two levels and features dual low-level side platforms incorporating mini-high-level sections for accessibility. Within the pedestrian tunnel beneath the platforms are two ticket vending machines. A ticket office operates on weekdays from 5:30 am until 9:00 am but remains closed during weekends. Parking accommodations include three lots located on Kings Road and Prospect Street, collectively offering 413 spaces with ten designated for ADA accessibility. Two of these lots provide daily parking options, while all require permits issued by Madison borough. Facilities for bicycles include racks and lockers. The station is situated in fare zone 11.
NJ Transit provides bus service via route 873 at Madison station six days per week between Parsippany–Troy Hills and Livingston. In addition, Boxcar Transit operates weekday bus routes connecting Madison station with Midtown Manhattan.
See also
- List of New Jersey Transit stations
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Morris County, New Jersey
Bibliography
External links
- Former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad stations
- Madison, New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places in Morris County, New Jersey
- NJ Transit Rail Operations stations
- Railway stations in Morris County, New Jersey
- Railway stations in the United States opened in 1837
- Railway stations on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey