Manhattan Transfer (PRR Station) - History

History

Until 1910 none of the railroads that crossed New Jersey to reach New York City crossed the Hudson River; all trains stopped on the west bank of the river where passengers boarded ferries. The dominant Pennsylvania Railroad was no exception. Its passenger trains from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C. and beyond ran to Exchange Place in Jersey City.

On November 27, 1910 PRR opened a new line that branched off the original line two miles east of Newark. The line ran northeast across the Jersey Meadows to a pair of tunnels under the Hudson River to New York Penn Station. Along with the new line, they built Manhattan Transfer just west of the junction. Passenger trains bound for New York Penn changed at Manhattan Transfer from steam locomotives to electric locomotives to run through the tunnel under the river.

After the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (now called PATH) was opened to Newark on October 1, 1911, the H&M trains to downtown Manhattan stopped on the tracks outside the two Manhattan Transfer platforms, allowing passengers to transfer from Penn-Station-bound intercity trains. Some PRR trains continued to run to Exchange Place until 1961, but didn't need to change engines and didn't stop at Manhattan Transfer.

In 1933 PRR completed its electrification of its main line between New York and Philadelphia/Wilmington/Paoli, so most trains to New York Penn no longer needed to change engines at Manhattan Transfer. They all continued to stop there for the H&M connection until 1937. On June 20, 1937 the H&M moved its terminus from Park Place, Newark to the new Newark Penn Station, about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) south. (On the same day, the Newark City Subway was extended to Newark Penn Station). Since then the PATH (former H&M) passengers have transferred at Newark Penn Station, and Manhattan Transfer was no longer needed.