NJ TRANSIT SET TO CELEBRATE FIRST CAMDEN-ATLANTIC CITY TRAIN RIDE
Corporation to add promotional help as part of A.C.’s birthday party
As part of Atlantic City’s 150th birthday celebration, the “ghost” of Dr. Jonathan Pitney – regarded as the Father of Atlantic City – will board a NJ TRANSIT train on Thursday, July 1 to re-enact the first Camden-Atlantic Railroad train ride into the City by the Sea.
On July 1, 1854, the first trans-New Jersey train left Coopers Ferry Terminal in Camden and arrived on the then-bare Absecon Island in Atlantic City. The first train carried 600 dignitaries, politicians and members of the press.
On July 1, 2004, NJ TRANSIT Train 4611 will leave 30th Street Station in Philadelphia at 9:30 a.m. to begin the re-enactment with the “ghost” of Dr. Jonathan Pitney, played by Michael Doyle. It’s expected that hundreds of people will be onboard when the train leaves Absecon station at 10:53 a.m. before it reaches Atlantic City station at 11:09 a.m.
“NJ TRANSIT is always interested in ways to promote destinations that our transportation serves,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. “Providing promotional assistance to this venture means our current and future customers have more reasons to try transit and enjoy Atlantic City.”
Anyone interested in joining the tour and train ride should contact Michael Doyle at (609) 377-4229. Everyone is welcome to meet Dr. Pitney when he arrives with King Neptune at the Atlantic City train station.
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 725,550 daily trips on 237 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 161 rail stations, 49 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.