The Tragic Story Behind New Jersey’s Chilling Train Graveyard
New Jersey is home to a wide range of spooky, eerie, mysterious and abandoned places, but many of them are totally off limits. This train graveyard is easily accessible (you can see the trains from the road) and has an interesting history to go along with it. While fascinating, a terrible tragedy once occurred here, before the bustling transportation hub fell into decline.
Welcome to Winslow Junction, located in Winslow Township.
Almost halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, Winslow Junction was once one of the busiest railway junctions in the world. Over a century ago, thousands upon thousands of passengers would ride these tracks to the Jersey Shore.
Located at the intersection of several lines, the famed Blue Comet Express once ran through here. However, as automobiles became more common, ridership dropped.
On July 2, 1922, Atlantic City Railroad's Camden to Atlantic City train #33 was going 90 miles per hour through Winslow Junction. It sped through an open switch, causing the train to derail. Much of the train plunged down an embankment, resulting in the death of 7 passengers; there were also 89 injured.
As the years passed, many of the lines running through Winslow Junction shut down.
By 1983, the station was shuttered for good and the property was turned over the state. Used to store trains, in most cases, it was cheaper to leave them behind then to move them. Over the years, many of these train cars have been purchased and some have been restored.
Though the trains are now off limits, it's easy enough to spot them from the road.
Across from 212 Spring Road, Hammonton (Winslow), you'll find around half a dozen train cars, spanning an area of about 600 - 700 feet.
It’s interesting to see how mother nature is taking over, and everything is falling into decay. Though there are currently “no trespassing” signs, many still explore the trains. Be aware that this is dangerous, and you can see so much in the footage featured below. If you’re interested in learning about other decaying places in New Jersey, check out the story behind the (almost) ghost town of Sea Breeze.
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Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
