New Jersey Rail Road and Transportation Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Founded | March 7, 1832 |
| Defunct | 1872 |
| Fate | Merged with Camden and Amboy Railroad and Delaware and Raritan Canal Company to form United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company |
| Headquarters | New Jersey , United States |
| Products | Rail transport services |
The New Jersey Rail Road and Transportation Company ranks among the earliest railroads established in New Jersey, having been incorporated in 1832 and commencing operations with its initial route in 1834. This positions it as one of the oldest railroads in North America. In 1872, it merged with the Camden and Amboy Railroad and the Delaware and Raritan Canal Company, forming the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company, which was subsequently leased by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Today, its original main line functions as two distinct rail services: the segment from Jersey City to Newark is integrated into PATH's Newark–World Trade Center line, while the stretch from Newark to New Brunswick serves as part of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.
History
In 1830, the state of New Jersey granted charters to both the Camden and Amboy Railroad and the Delaware and Raritan Canal Company with the goal of linking Philadelphia and New York City. Known collectively as the "Joint Companies," these entities operated independently but maintained a close cooperative relationship. The Camden and Amboy line opened between South Amboy and Bordentown in 1832 and was extended to Camden by 1834. Meanwhile, the canal connected Bordentown to New Brunswick within the same year. Steamboat services ran between South Amboy and New York as well as Bordentown and Philadelphia. A legislative measure passed in 1832—the Protection Act—barred other railroads from operating within a three-mile radius of Camden & Amboy’s terminal points.
The New Jersey Rail Road was incorporated on March 7, 1832, to construct a route from Jersey City to New Brunswick primarily catering to local travel demands. The line opened from Jersey City to Newark on September 15, 1834; reached Elizabeth in 1835; extended further to Rahway and up to the Raritan River shore opposite New Brunswick in 1836; and completed a bridge over the Raritan River by 1837. The Camden and Amboy’s branch connecting Trenton to New Brunswick began operating in 1839, establishing the first continuous rail link between Philadelphia and New York City.
Though authorized to build bridges crossing both the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, legal obstacles arose due to a 1790 statute granting exclusive bridge rights to an existing company. These issues were resolved through acquiring controlling stock in that bridge company. Similarly, control over the Newark Turnpike Company was secured by the railroad.
In 1867, a joint board of directors known as the "United Companies" was created by combining leadership from the New Jersey Rail Road, Camden and Amboy Railroad, and Delaware and Raritan Canal Company. While each company remained legally independent, their strategic coordination intensified. This collaboration culminated in their formal merger in 1872 into the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company, which was promptly leased by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Branches
Besides its principal route between Jersey City and New Brunswick, the New Jersey Rail Road established three shorter branch lines:
- The Bonhamtown Branch, which extended southward from Metuchen, New Jersey.
- The Center Street Branch, a connection running from Newark to Harrison, preserving the original Passaic River crossing after a realignment in 1869.
- The Harsimus Branch, stretching from Jersey City to Harsimus Cove.