Woodbury station

Woodbury station

Company type	Commuter railroad station
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	April 14, 1857 (1857-04-14)
Defunct	February 5, 1971 (1971-02-05)
Headquarters	Woodbury , United States
Products	Passenger rail services

Woodbury was once an active commuter railroad station situated in Woodbury, New Jersey, within Gloucester County, New Jersey. Positioned at the intersection of Station Road and Cooper Street, it accommodated various routes operated by the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines and the Pennsylvania Railroad. From this station, trains ran to destinations including Salem, Millville, Penns Grove/Carneys Point, and Cape May. The facility consisted of two side platforms alongside a brick-built depot.

Rail operations commenced on April 14, 1857, coinciding with the launch of the West Jersey Railroad segment between Camden and Woodbury. The existing Stick style depot structure dates back to 1883. Passenger service to Penns Grove was discontinued on July 8, 1950, followed by the termination of Salem-bound trains on December 30, 1950. The final passenger route connecting Camden and Millville ended on February 5, 1971. Today, the historic depot has been converted into a dining establishment.

Plans have been made to reinstate rail service at Woodbury through the proposed Glassboro–Camden Line, a light rail initiative designed to link these two municipalities.

History

The origins of the station trace back to the intended Camden and Woodbury Railroad, initiated between 1837 and 1838 but characterized by inconsistent operation before its abandonment. On February 5, 1853, the West Jersey Railroad (WJ) was officially chartered to construct a rail line extending from Camden to Cape May. The route was finalized by company leadership on July 15, 1853. Construction proceeded incrementally with support from the Camden and Amboy Railroad; notably, the initial 8.2-mile stretch opened on April 15, 1857, utilizing the defunct Camden and Woodbury corridor.

Rail service expanded via the Penns Grove Branch and the Salem Branch, which intersected just south of Woodbury at Woodbury Junction. Following a series of consolidations, this line became part of the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad and subsequently integrated into the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. Electrified train operations were maintained from 1906 until 1949. The power house located north of the station—once a key element of this electrification—was eventually demolished by Conrail. Afterward, diesel locomotives replaced electric units.

Passenger routes serving Penns Grove ceased on July 8, 1950; similarly, services to Salem ended on December 30 of that year. The remaining passenger trains passing through Woodbury terminated service on February 5, 1971. The station building itself—constructed in the Stick architectural style in 1883—has since been adapted for use as a restaurant.

Future

Woodbury is planned to be a stop along the future Glassboro–Camden Line light rail corridor following the Vineland Secondary railway alignment. The station design envisions a platform accompanied by a municipal park-and-ride lot accommodating approximately 600 vehicles and ensuring full accessibility for all users. It is intended to function as part of a prospective Woodbury Transit Hub that will foster transit-oriented development efforts aimed at improving regional transportation links and stimulating economic progress. Anticipated to commence operations by 2028, this project aligns with NJ Transit's broader strategy to expand transit options throughout South Jersey.