The first to offer service was the Camden & Atlantic in the 1850s, a precursor to the PRR's West Jersey & Seashore Railroad while the predecessors of Philadelphia & Reading's eventual Atlantic City Railroad began offering competition in the 1870s. The region exploded into a popular tourist destination following the Civil War. For the most part, the entire 715-mile (total rail miles including all yards, spurs, and sidings) Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line network was powered with traditional locomotives. Kalmbach points out this was later cutback to Newfield.īefore diesels took over a small fleet of gas-electric "Doodlebug" rail cars replaced electrics along the eastern end to Atlantic City. The PRR had originally electrified its entire line from Camden to Atlantic City in 1906. Finally, electrified service (all third-rail) extended from Camden to Bridgeton and as far as Millville via Newfield. Into the diesel era things were much more interesting as the road operated almost entirely rare Baldwin models like the S-12, AS-16, and DRS-4-4-1500. The Pennsy's motive power department was responsible for maintaining and supplying PRSL's locomotive fleet. The use of almost-entirely PRR-owned or handed-down equipment was a result of the previously-mentioned agreement. On occasion the road utilized a fleet of Pennsy' s hearty 4-6-2's (K-4s) and even a Reading 4-6-2 (Class G). Camden & Atlantic Railroad (March 19, 1852)Ĭamden - Haddonfield - Winslow - Richland - Tuckahoe - Cape MayĪll of the energized territory was the result of PRR's work on its line between Camden-Atlantic City and Woodbury-Millville while the Reading's operation was steam powered only.ĭuring the early 1940s PRSL's locomotive fleet consisted of ten 4-4-2 Atlantics (PRR Class E-6), twelve 2-8-0 Consolidations (PRR Class H), and five 0-6-0 switchers (PRR Class B).