Railroads Made Atlantic City a Reality

As a Northeast Corridor connection to Atlantic City goes beyond the planning stage, historian Dennis Niceler reminds locals that the existed solely because of the railroads.

1 minute read

July 18, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


A new transit center will be built at Pennsauken, linking Northeast Corridor passengers to the Atlantic City line. Reporter John Froonjian notes that ridership is expected to increase 20% with the connection.

Historian Niceler explains that Atlantic City only exists because of railroads:

"The city's founding in 1854 was based on a simple calculation: Start at Philadelphia and draw a straight line to the Atlantic Ocean."

Two competing private rail lines offered service out to Atlantic City, culminating in price wars that made a trip to the beach mecca affordable to most.

Sunday, July 17, 2011 in The Press of Atlantic City

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