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Jersey Shore Railroading

Presented by Bill Elwell

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Nestled halfway between two of America's most important cities, the Jersey Shore seems perfectly positioned to be a vacation destination. What was once desolate beachfront did not become a vacationing mecca overnight. Railroads were the defining factor in creating and shaping the development of the Shore as a center for everything from day trips to whole summer vacations. As the winds of technology changed, the passenger-centric Jersey Shore railroads were able to turn into the breeze and refocus to commuters, redefining themselves and the Jersey Shore as a whole. This work explores railroads and their effects on Jersey Shore, especially vacationing and commuting, focusing through the lens of railroad-publications like timetables and advertisements.

Bill Elwell is an adjunct professor of history at Monmouth University and a lifelong Jersey Shore resident. Much of that life has been spent exploring all different aspects of railroads, especially local ones, through history, modeling, and railfanning. Additionally, Bill is a member of the Board of the Ocean County Historical Society, formerly worked in historical outreach for Monmouth County, and is proud to help share our common story.

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