Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad
| Company type | Railroad company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1871 |
| Defunct | 1887 |
| Fate | Absorbed into West Jersey Railroad |
| Headquarters | Woodstown, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Woodstown and Swedesboro, New Jersey |
The Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad was established in the United States in 1871 with the purpose of constructing a rail connection between Woodstown, New Jersey and Swedesboro, New Jersey. Actual building commenced in 1882, supported financially by the West Jersey Railroad, an antecedent of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, and reached completion in 1883. In 1887, the company was absorbed into the West Jersey Railroad.
History
Formed on March 21, 1871, the Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad was created to provide rail service to Woodstown, which previously had no direct railway link. Existing nearby lines at the time included the Salem Railroad (established 1863) and the Swedesboro Railroad (established 1869). However, securing adequate funding delayed construction efforts for more than ten years.
The enterprise underwent reorganization on January 21, 1882, with significant participation from the West Jersey Railroad, which had leased both the Salem and Swedesboro Railroads. The new line commenced operations in February 1883 and was promptly leased by West Jersey Railroad. It connected at Riddleston with the Salem Railroad route, reducing the distance between Camden and Salem by roughly nine miles.
Following incorporation into the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, this segment from Woodbury to Salem was designated as the Salem Branch. On December 31, 1887, the Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad consolidated with several regional railroads—including the Swedesboro Railroad, Salem Railroad, Maurice River Railroad, Salem Branch Railroad, and West Jersey Terminal Railroad—forming part of the West Jersey Railroad.
References
- Cook, W. George. West Jersey Rails: A Series of Stories About Southern New Jersey Railroad History, vol. 3, "Two Routes to Town: A History of Salem's Railroads," West Jersey Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, 2002, pp. 30–41.
- Coverdale & Colpitts 4