Trains & Trolleys
Close-Up of 1849 J. W. Otley & J. Keily map, showing the old route of the train line running through West Windsor.
2018 aerial view of PJ train station
Trains
Live anywhere near the Northeast Corridor line and it is inevitable that you will hear the daily blare of a train passing through Princeton Junction. For nearly 150 years, this village has been home to one of the Northeast Corridor's busier stations, servicing residents of West Windsor and its neighbors. For 18 decades, the township has witnessed rapid growth due to the interstate train system that developed alongside the American Industrial Revolution. West Windsor's economy, politics, and culture have been deeply influenced by the inexorable development of the nation's railroads.
For West Windsor's early residents, rail travel was only a distant dream, if even that. Prior to the invention of the train, the area's inhabitants primarily traveled on footpaths and roads - such as Brunswick Pike, chartered in 1804. Interstate travel in the early 1800s was dominated by the stagecoach, wagon repair, harness, and wheelwright shops could be found in nearly every crossroads village. However, the construction of a rail line passing through the township changed West Windsor forever.
Live anywhere near the Northeast Corridor line and it is inevitable that you will hear the daily blare of a train passing through Princeton Junction. For nearly 150 years, this village has been home to one of the Northeast Corridor's busier stations, servicing residents of West Windsor and its neighbors. For 18 decades, the township has witnessed rapid growth due to the interstate train system that developed alongside the American Industrial Revolution. West Windsor's economy, politics, and culture have been deeply influenced by the inexorable development of the nation's railroads.
For West Windsor's early residents, rail travel was only a distant dream, if even that. Prior to the invention of the train, the area's inhabitants primarily traveled on footpaths and roads - such as Brunswick Pike, chartered in 1804. Interstate travel in the early 1800s was dominated by the stagecoach, wagon repair, harness, and wheelwright shops could be found in nearly every crossroads village. However, the construction of a rail line passing through the township changed West Windsor forever.
Princeton Junction train station 1870s
On February 4, 1830 - the same day the Delaware and Raritan Canal was authorized - the Camden and Amboy Rail Road and Transportation Company was chartered. Founded by two brothers - Robert L. and John Cox Stevens of Hoboken - the company first set its rights on a rail line connecting Bordentown and South Amboy. Soon afterwards, in 1831 this organization merged with the Delaware & Raritan Canal Company - possibly to avoid tensions between what would have otherwise been two competing transportation systems, which both needed the same rights of ways and serviced the same metropolitan areas.
Construction of the railroad, which ran directly adjacent to the canal for much of its length, coincided with the excavation of the canal. Horse-drawn carriages assisted with the establishment of the rail system - an ironic arrangement, given that the rail line was to compete with horse travel to an extent. It was only north of Kingston that the train tracks diverged from the canal, taking it on a separate route towards New Brunswick. For nearly a decade, until 1839, a series of branches connecting cities such as Kingston, New Brunswick, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Jersey City were established. A rail line was laid through West Windsor in 1839, connecting the township to Trenton, Philadelphia, and the New York Metropolitan area.
The construction of train tracks through the township brought significant prosperity. The villages of Port Mercer, Princeton Basin, Penns Neck, and Aqueduct saw the largest change in population growth and economic development within the township, owing to their proximity to the railroad (and the canal, opened 5 years prior) and the establishment of stations in each of these hamlets. The 1830s saw a significant change in the transportation of large quantities of foodstuffs, building materials, and other commodities - all of which West Windsor, as an agrarian municipality wedged between several Mid-Atlantic cities, supplied. Communication, politics, and culture from Philadelphia and New York were also rapidly disseminated throughout the township after the railroad's establishment, as both written word and travelers alike took advantage of this new transportation corridor.
Construction of the railroad, which ran directly adjacent to the canal for much of its length, coincided with the excavation of the canal. Horse-drawn carriages assisted with the establishment of the rail system - an ironic arrangement, given that the rail line was to compete with horse travel to an extent. It was only north of Kingston that the train tracks diverged from the canal, taking it on a separate route towards New Brunswick. For nearly a decade, until 1839, a series of branches connecting cities such as Kingston, New Brunswick, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Jersey City were established. A rail line was laid through West Windsor in 1839, connecting the township to Trenton, Philadelphia, and the New York Metropolitan area.
The construction of train tracks through the township brought significant prosperity. The villages of Port Mercer, Princeton Basin, Penns Neck, and Aqueduct saw the largest change in population growth and economic development within the township, owing to their proximity to the railroad (and the canal, opened 5 years prior) and the establishment of stations in each of these hamlets. The 1830s saw a significant change in the transportation of large quantities of foodstuffs, building materials, and other commodities - all of which West Windsor, as an agrarian municipality wedged between several Mid-Atlantic cities, supplied. Communication, politics, and culture from Philadelphia and New York were also rapidly disseminated throughout the township after the railroad's establishment, as both written word and travelers alike took advantage of this new transportation corridor.
Nassau Interlocking Tower, 1930
Until the 1860s, the canal and railroad coexisted harmoniously. However, with the end of the Civil War, plans for a transcontinental railroad system, connecting the entire nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific, came to fruition. The rail line that had run parallel to the canal within West Windsor for three decades was subsequently relocated two miles to the east, prompting much township debate. After all, residents of Princeton, Port Mercer, Princeton Basin, Penns Neck, and Aqueduct relied on the rail as their economic lifeblood. In the end, an argument for a straighter corridor, which could accommodate faster trains and be built on better soil than what was found next to the canal, won out, and the line was straightened and moved to its present location.
Consequently, a station in Princeton Junction was constructed in 1863 in response to the line's straightening, prompting the growth of that village and the establishment of numerous residential developments surrounding the stop in this hamlet - including Station Drive in the mid-1800s, Berrien City in the 1920s, and Sherbrooke Estates in the mid-1900s. Concurrently, however, West Windsor's westernmost villages - Port Mercer, Princeton Basin, Penns Neck, and Aqueduct - saw a decline in growth due to the railroad's relocation. So, too, did the canal experience the start of its decline; now that the railroad no longer sat adjacent to it and started directly competing with the canal elsewhere, the canal began to lose more and more of its business to the railroad. Its closure in 1934, exactly a century after its opening, marked the end of a transformative era in transportation.
Princeton residents did not take the railroad's relocation lying down. They had relied on the railroad as well for decades, and now that it was three miles away from Nassau Street, they expected to see a similar downturn in their town. After significant protest, a decision to establish a line connecting Princeton and Princeton Junction, with a stop in Penns Neck, was made. Thus, the present-day Dinkey line (also known as PJ&B, or "Princeton Junction and Back") opened in 1865, connecting Princeton to what is now the nation's busiest passenger rail line.
Consequently, a station in Princeton Junction was constructed in 1863 in response to the line's straightening, prompting the growth of that village and the establishment of numerous residential developments surrounding the stop in this hamlet - including Station Drive in the mid-1800s, Berrien City in the 1920s, and Sherbrooke Estates in the mid-1900s. Concurrently, however, West Windsor's westernmost villages - Port Mercer, Princeton Basin, Penns Neck, and Aqueduct - saw a decline in growth due to the railroad's relocation. So, too, did the canal experience the start of its decline; now that the railroad no longer sat adjacent to it and started directly competing with the canal elsewhere, the canal began to lose more and more of its business to the railroad. Its closure in 1934, exactly a century after its opening, marked the end of a transformative era in transportation.
Princeton residents did not take the railroad's relocation lying down. They had relied on the railroad as well for decades, and now that it was three miles away from Nassau Street, they expected to see a similar downturn in their town. After significant protest, a decision to establish a line connecting Princeton and Princeton Junction, with a stop in Penns Neck, was made. Thus, the present-day Dinkey line (also known as PJ&B, or "Princeton Junction and Back") opened in 1865, connecting Princeton to what is now the nation's busiest passenger rail line.
Princeton Junction train station, c. 1910
On February 1, 1867, the Camden & Amboy Railroad and its rival, the New Jersey Rail Road and Transportation Company - which ran a line parallel to the C&A, connecting Jersey City and New Brunswick - merged to form the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Companies. Five years later, this corporation was acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company (Pennsylvania Railroad).
In 1871, the Pennsylvania Railroad leased the Camden and Amboy line for 999 years. 22 years later, they widened the main line road to four tracks.
With the construction of a tunnel under the Hundson River in 1910 linking New Jersey and New York City, and the rail line's electrification, more direct, reliable, and cleaner access to the nation's largest metropolitan area was established. This major development led to a boom of rail traffic travelling from New York to Philadelphia and back. As a result of its location in between these two megalopolises, West Windsor experienced significant economic and population growth, much like the rest of the nation, coming to a head in the "Roaring Twenties" and crashing spectacularly on October 29, 1929: Black Tuesday, the start of the Great Depression.
Rail traffic, however, continued to run across the Mid-Atlantic despite the economic downturn. Indeed, it was partially due to the region's highly-developed interstate transportation system - including roads, rail, and shipping - as well as a great industrial awakening of the nation caused by World War II - that the East Coast of the nation bounced back so strongly following the war.
In 1871, the Pennsylvania Railroad leased the Camden and Amboy line for 999 years. 22 years later, they widened the main line road to four tracks.
With the construction of a tunnel under the Hundson River in 1910 linking New Jersey and New York City, and the rail line's electrification, more direct, reliable, and cleaner access to the nation's largest metropolitan area was established. This major development led to a boom of rail traffic travelling from New York to Philadelphia and back. As a result of its location in between these two megalopolises, West Windsor experienced significant economic and population growth, much like the rest of the nation, coming to a head in the "Roaring Twenties" and crashing spectacularly on October 29, 1929: Black Tuesday, the start of the Great Depression.
Rail traffic, however, continued to run across the Mid-Atlantic despite the economic downturn. Indeed, it was partially due to the region's highly-developed interstate transportation system - including roads, rail, and shipping - as well as a great industrial awakening of the nation caused by World War II - that the East Coast of the nation bounced back so strongly following the war.
Princeton Junction train station, today
In 1968, the Pennsylvania Railroad merged with the New York Centrail Railroad, forming the Penn Central. Two years later, after poor management, weather conditions, and withdrawal of government funds, this organization filed for bankruptcy. It continued to operate the rail line until 1976, when Amtrak took possession of the Northeast Corridor rail line. It continues to operate the line to this day.
Also in 1968, on June 8, Robert ("Bobby") Kennedy's funeral procession traveled between New York City and Washington, D.C., where he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, three days after his assassination by Sirhan Sirhan. A set of photographs taken along the journey includes one of dozens of mourners waving the national figure one last goodbye at the Princeton Junction Train Station.
As of 2019, the Northeast Corridor rail line continues to operate as one of the nation's busiest commuter rail lines. Connecting New York and Philadelphia, the line is one among a web-work of railroads further linking the entirety of the east coast of the united states - the nation's most populated time zone. As a result of its prime location along the Northeast Corridor, West Windsor continues to thrive, as a well-established link between some of the nation's largest megalopolises.
Also in 1968, on June 8, Robert ("Bobby") Kennedy's funeral procession traveled between New York City and Washington, D.C., where he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, three days after his assassination by Sirhan Sirhan. A set of photographs taken along the journey includes one of dozens of mourners waving the national figure one last goodbye at the Princeton Junction Train Station.
As of 2019, the Northeast Corridor rail line continues to operate as one of the nation's busiest commuter rail lines. Connecting New York and Philadelphia, the line is one among a web-work of railroads further linking the entirety of the east coast of the united states - the nation's most populated time zone. As a result of its prime location along the Northeast Corridor, West Windsor continues to thrive, as a well-established link between some of the nation's largest megalopolises.
Trolleys
Eight years before the construction of the tunnels running under the Hudson River in 1910 and the subsequent flourishing of the rail line linking New York and Philadelphia, a smaller trolley line was established, likewise running through West Windsor. Colloquially known as the "Fast Line," this corridor provided convenient inter-town travel along the middle link of the New York-Philadelphia train route for more than thirty years.
At the turn of the century, the era of high-speed electric railway had begun. The Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad Company was established to lead this national movement, and construction began in 1902 on a line from Greenwood Avenue in Trenton to Milltown (directly south of New Brunswick). Linking with the Middlesex and Somerset Traction Company trolley line, the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad ultimately became part of the larger Newark-Trenton Fast Line, connecting its eponymous cities with numerous towns in between.
The financial backers of the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad were the bankers A.S. and A.N. Chandler. Both also held interest in the Camden and Trenton Railway.
Partially as a result of their efforts, the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad opened on November 3, 1902. Also stopping in Deans, Dayton, Plainsboro, West Windsor, and Mercerville, the rail line ran from New Brunswick to Trenton for 27.5 miles, providing trips that took an hour and fifteen minutes total - barely slower than driving Brunswick Pike today!
Eight years before the construction of the tunnels running under the Hudson River in 1910 and the subsequent flourishing of the rail line linking New York and Philadelphia, a smaller trolley line was established, likewise running through West Windsor. Colloquially known as the "Fast Line," this corridor provided convenient inter-town travel along the middle link of the New York-Philadelphia train route for more than thirty years.
At the turn of the century, the era of high-speed electric railway had begun. The Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad Company was established to lead this national movement, and construction began in 1902 on a line from Greenwood Avenue in Trenton to Milltown (directly south of New Brunswick). Linking with the Middlesex and Somerset Traction Company trolley line, the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad ultimately became part of the larger Newark-Trenton Fast Line, connecting its eponymous cities with numerous towns in between.
The financial backers of the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad were the bankers A.S. and A.N. Chandler. Both also held interest in the Camden and Trenton Railway.
Partially as a result of their efforts, the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad opened on November 3, 1902. Also stopping in Deans, Dayton, Plainsboro, West Windsor, and Mercerville, the rail line ran from New Brunswick to Trenton for 27.5 miles, providing trips that took an hour and fifteen minutes total - barely slower than driving Brunswick Pike today!
Public Service RR 900 Series car approaching Penn-Lyle Road in 1929 from the north.
Four stations were established within West Windsor's boundaries: Conover Road (where it met South Post Road), Penn Lyle Road (near Dutch Neck), Princeton-Hightstown Road, and Grovers Mill (albeit far from the village center). The tracks, now long-gone, traveled through what is now Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park, continuing into Lawrence Township in the South. This line is shown on this website's "Historic Sites" map
Two of West Windsor's stations - those near Grovers Mill and Princeton-Hightstown - are of particular note. The Grovers Mill station was configured as a repair and cleaning stop for the railroad. In addition, a power station helped run the line's electric cars.
The station in Princeton-Hightstown, in contrast, is notable for where it was established. The land around the station was once known as "Pig Town," (or "Van Hiseville") after a local farmer who owned an unusual amount of swine. This farm, while long gone, is still commemorated in the colloquial name of the footbridge over Bear Brook in the West Windsor Community Park: "Pig Town Bridge!"
Passengers travelling between Trenton and New Brunswick purchased a three-coupon ticket at $0.45 one-way; $0.80 round-trip. The first coupon was for the Middlesex and Somerset Traction to Milltown, the second for the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad to the Interstate Fair Grounds at Trenton, and the third for the Wilbur Line of the Trenton Street Railway Company. This last stint stopped in downtown Trenton.
Passengers could go further south and north, however. With the construction of an additional links culminating in the opening of the Camden-Riverton line of the Camden and Suburban Railway on May 25, 1904, passengers could travel as far north as Jersey City and as far south as Philadelphia via trolley alone.
Two of West Windsor's stations - those near Grovers Mill and Princeton-Hightstown - are of particular note. The Grovers Mill station was configured as a repair and cleaning stop for the railroad. In addition, a power station helped run the line's electric cars.
The station in Princeton-Hightstown, in contrast, is notable for where it was established. The land around the station was once known as "Pig Town," (or "Van Hiseville") after a local farmer who owned an unusual amount of swine. This farm, while long gone, is still commemorated in the colloquial name of the footbridge over Bear Brook in the West Windsor Community Park: "Pig Town Bridge!"
Passengers travelling between Trenton and New Brunswick purchased a three-coupon ticket at $0.45 one-way; $0.80 round-trip. The first coupon was for the Middlesex and Somerset Traction to Milltown, the second for the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad to the Interstate Fair Grounds at Trenton, and the third for the Wilbur Line of the Trenton Street Railway Company. This last stint stopped in downtown Trenton.
Passengers could go further south and north, however. With the construction of an additional links culminating in the opening of the Camden-Riverton line of the Camden and Suburban Railway on May 25, 1904, passengers could travel as far north as Jersey City and as far south as Philadelphia via trolley alone.
Abandoned trolley on Elmer Fry's Tamarack Farms, Bear Brook Road, being moved to Ringoes Trolley Museum in 1977.
Service was especially popular among West Windsor students, who used it to commute to many schools and colleges in Lawrenceville, Trenton, and New Brunswick.
When a contingent of Trenton-based newspaper reporters travelled from Milltown to Trenton in 44 minutes, trolley use increased dramatically. By 1903, its second year, traffic had increased enough to necessitate hourly service (prior to this, a car travelled every three hours). The line was serviced by six Niles interurban cars, named after cities located along the trolley route.
Between 1904 and 1908, the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad Company was sold and restructured several times, ultimately resulting in its reorganization as the Elizabeth and Trenton Railroad in May 1910.
Two years later, in August 1912, the Elizabeth and Trenton Railroad and the New Jersey Short Line Railroad were leased to the Trenton Terminal Railroad, which was controlled by Public Service (today known as PSEG). The next year, on October 6, the Elizabeth and Trenton Railroad and the Trenton Terminal Railroad were merged, resulting in the incorporation of the Public Service Railroad, the rail line's final operator. Lighter, more efficient cars introduced by this company led to the obsolescence of the Grovers Mill power station and its closing in 1926.
When a contingent of Trenton-based newspaper reporters travelled from Milltown to Trenton in 44 minutes, trolley use increased dramatically. By 1903, its second year, traffic had increased enough to necessitate hourly service (prior to this, a car travelled every three hours). The line was serviced by six Niles interurban cars, named after cities located along the trolley route.
Between 1904 and 1908, the Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad Company was sold and restructured several times, ultimately resulting in its reorganization as the Elizabeth and Trenton Railroad in May 1910.
Two years later, in August 1912, the Elizabeth and Trenton Railroad and the New Jersey Short Line Railroad were leased to the Trenton Terminal Railroad, which was controlled by Public Service (today known as PSEG). The next year, on October 6, the Elizabeth and Trenton Railroad and the Trenton Terminal Railroad were merged, resulting in the incorporation of the Public Service Railroad, the rail line's final operator. Lighter, more efficient cars introduced by this company led to the obsolescence of the Grovers Mill power station and its closing in 1926.
Trolley Schedule
The trolley line running through West Windsor continued to operate until the late 1930s, when the automobile began to establish its dominance throughout the nation. In its final years, service on the line was reduced to three trips daily. On December 7, 1930, service to downtown Trenton ended. Gasoline-electric cars replaced the formerly electric-only cars the following year, and were used until the line's last day of operation - May 27, 1937. Following this day, the tracks that once marked the line were dismantled; in the decades since, PSE&G, which owns the right-of-way, has built a power-line stretching through the township and beyond.
Today, nothing remains of the original Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad - not the railroad tracks, nor the power station in Grovers Mill, nor the four stations which once called the township home. In the mid-2000s, a bike/jogging path, the "Trolley Line Trail," was established to follow the former route of the railroad, running from Penn-Lyle Road to Rabbit Hill Road. At Pig Town, in what is now the West Windsor Community Park, a bridge spans Bear Brook, and a series of signs detailing the trolley line's history marks the physical manifestation of David Lee's (Troop 40) 2008 Boy Scout Eagle Project, established to commemorate this historic route. Take a day off to explore this path when the weather is nice; perhaps, when the large trains rushing along the Northeast Corridor pass through Princeton Junction, you can hear the echoes of a much more leisurely route that former residents cherished for thirty years.
Today, nothing remains of the original Trenton and New Brunswick Railroad - not the railroad tracks, nor the power station in Grovers Mill, nor the four stations which once called the township home. In the mid-2000s, a bike/jogging path, the "Trolley Line Trail," was established to follow the former route of the railroad, running from Penn-Lyle Road to Rabbit Hill Road. At Pig Town, in what is now the West Windsor Community Park, a bridge spans Bear Brook, and a series of signs detailing the trolley line's history marks the physical manifestation of David Lee's (Troop 40) 2008 Boy Scout Eagle Project, established to commemorate this historic route. Take a day off to explore this path when the weather is nice; perhaps, when the large trains rushing along the Northeast Corridor pass through Princeton Junction, you can hear the echoes of a much more leisurely route that former residents cherished for thirty years.
