West Jersey Chapter was founded in 1944. The West Jersey Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society traces its beginnings to a small band of ardent railroad enthusiasts who were first officially organized as the West Jersey Model Railroad Club. On April 16, 1944, the club received its charter from the NRHS, making West Jersey the sixteenth chapter to be so affiliated. In 1972 the Chapter was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Currently we are one of the largest chapters in the NRHS. West Jersey Chapter has an outstanding reputation for producing high quality periodicals and award-winning books. The Chapter's original newsletter, the Crew Caller, was first published in 1956. In 1974, the publication was upgraded, being printed on coated stock complete with photographs. In September, 1995, the Crew Caller was replaced with West Jersey Rails Quarterly, whose publication continues to this day. Printed on coated stock and issued four times a year, WJRQ features articles on both rail history and current events. West Jersey Chapter's first book, a 32-page pamphlet entitled The Philadelphia, Marlton & Medford Railroad Co. 1881-1931, was published in 1973. This was followed in 1980 by the Chapter's first hardcover book, Atlantic City Railroad: The Royal Route to the Sea. Since then, the Chapter has published West Jersey Rails (1983); West Jersey Rails II (1985); The Trains to America's Playground (1988); The Lindenwold Hi-Speed Line (1990); The Trail of the Blue Comet: A History of the Jersey Central's New Jersey Southern Division (1994); West Jersey Rails III (2002); The Reading Seashore Lines: A Pictorial Documentary of the Atlantic City Railroad (2007); and Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (2011). Most titles are in print and available for sale. Membership meetings of West Jersey Chapter are normally held at the Audubon Senior Center, 247 Oakland Avenue, Audubon, N.J., on the fourth Monday of each month, but meetings may be scheduled on other days and at other locations. We also meet virtually via Zoom. No membership meetings are normally scheduled here for June, July, August, and December. Please check the Calendar of Events for meeting location and time. For those driving, parking is available nearby. For those taking public transportation, NJ Transit bus route 403 stops on the White Horse Pike, just two blocks away. Visitors are always welcome. Our monthly membership meetings feature a wide variety of rail-oriented entertainment, including slide shows, movies, and guest speakers from other organizations and the rail industry. Our Chapter holds participates in regional railroadiana and train shows. Outings have included fan trips, field trips, rail facility tours, and hikes. We often hold informal fan trips to various regional destinations using regularly scheduled passenger service. In addition to the above, membership in the West Jersey Chapter brings you the following benefits:
•Four issues of West Jersey Rails Quarterly per year.
•Discounts on most Chapter books, publications, and other merchandise.
•Membership in the National Railway Historical Society, which includes quarterly issues of the NRHS Bulletin, the annual Yearbook, and the bimonthly NRHS News. Interested in becoming a member? Drop us an email for further information.
