# Central Railroad of New Jersey

> former Class I railroad

**Wikidata**: [Q1053974](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1053974)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Railroad_of_New_Jersey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/central-railroad-of-new-jersey

## Summary
The Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ), also known as the Jersey Central Lines, was a former Class I railroad in the United States. Established in 1839, it operated as a significant transportation entity within New Jersey before eventually being replaced by Conrail.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** January 1, 1839
- **Classification:** Former Class I railroad
- **Primary Location:** United States (New Jersey)
- **Aliases:** Jersey Central, Jersey Central Lines
- **Abbreviation:** CNJ
- **Successor:** Conrail
- **Predecessors:** Elizabethtown & Somerville Railroad, Somerville & Easton Railroad
- **Notable Equipment:** Owned and operated the FM H-24-66, a model of American 2400 hp diesel locomotives
- **VIAF ID:** 261133988
- **LCCN:** n80061805
- **Freebase ID:** /m/041m6b
- **KBN IDs:** ko2005315730, ko2005315731
- **P5508 ID:** 123696
- **P11822 ID:** h1/co/A0353H/0958/L
- **P13591 ID:** group/7cf800b7-ca50-46d8-909a-5a4479191f7c
- **Commons Category:** Central Railroad of New Jersey
- **Associated Media:** USA-NYC-Jersey Historic Train Station crop.jpg

## FAQs
**What type of railroad was the Central Railroad of New Jersey?**
It was classified as a Class I railroad, which denotes a major freight or passenger railway network with significant revenue and operational scope.

**When was the Central Railroad of New Jersey established?**
The railroad was officially established on January 1, 1839.

**What locomotives did the Central Railroad of New Jersey operate?**
The railroad owned and operated the FM H-24-66, a model of American diesel locomotives capable of producing 2400 horsepower.

**What other names were used to refer to the Central Railroad of New Jersey?**
The entity was commonly known by the aliases Jersey Central and Jersey Central Lines.

**Which railroads preceded the Central Railroad of New Jersey?**
It replaced the Elizabethtown & Somerville Railroad and the Somerville & Easton Railroad.

**What entity eventually took over the Central Railroad of New Jersey?**
The railroad was eventually replaced by Conrail.

## Why It Matters
The Central Railroad of New Jersey represents a critical component of American regional transportation history, serving as a Class I railroad for over a century. Its establishment in 1839 places it among the early major rail infrastructure projects in the United States, specifically facilitating development within New Jersey. The operation of high-power diesel locomotives like the FM H-24-66 demonstrates the railroad's adaptation to modernized rail technology. Furthermore, its eventual absorption into Conrail highlights the broader trend of railroad consolidation in the United States, illustrating the economic and structural shifts within the industry.

## Notable For
- Operating the FM H-24-66 locomotive model, known for its 2400 horsepower capacity.
- Maintaining status as a Class I railroad, the highest classification for railroads.
- Serving the region from 1839 until its replacement by Conrail.
- Being historically identified by the abbreviation CNJ and the alias Jersey Central.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
The Central Railroad of New Jersey is formally recognized as a former Class I railroad, a designation reserved for the largest and most significant railway networks in terms of revenue and mileage. It operated under the reporting mark CNJ and was widely known by its aliases, Jersey Central and Jersey Central Lines. The entity was geographically rooted in the United States, with operations specifically located in New Jersey. It is categorized under the instances of a railroad, a defunct railroad, and specifically a Class I railroad.

### History and Timeline
The railroad's inception dates back to January 1, 1839, marking the beginning of its long operational history. Throughout its existence, it served as a vital link in the regional transportation infrastructure. The entity eventually ceased its original operations and was replaced by Conrail, a major railroad consolidation entity. Prior to its formation, the Central Railroad of New Jersey replaced two earlier rail entities: the Elizabethtown & Somerville Railroad and the Somerville & Easton Railroad.

### Operations and Equipment
A notable aspect of the railroad's technical operations involved its ownership and use of specific rolling stock. The Central Railroad of New Jersey owned and operated the FM H-24-66. This model represents a type of American diesel locomotive capable of generating 2400 horsepower, reflecting the railroad's utilization of powerful diesel technology during its operational years.

### Relationships and Succession
The organizational history of the Central Railroad of New Jersey is defined by its relationships with predecessor and successor entities. It directly replaced the Elizabethtown & Somerville Railroad and the Somerville & Easton Railroad, absorbing their functions and infrastructure. In the later stages of its corporate lifecycle, the railroad was itself replaced by Conrail, indicating a transfer of assets and operations to this larger consolidated system.

### Identifiers and Records
The entity is documented across numerous global databases and archival systems with specific identifiers. These include the VIAF ID 261133988, the Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) n80061805, and the Freebase ID /m/041m6b. Additional identification codes include the Korean National Library of Korea IDs ko2005315730 and ko2005315731, as well as proprietary system IDs such as P5508 (123696), P11822 (h1/co/A0353H/0958/L), and P13591 (group/7cf800b7-ca50-46d8-909a-5a4479191f7c). Visual records associated with the entity include the image file "USA-NYC-Jersey Historic Train Station crop.jpg," and it is categorized within Wikimedia Commons under "Central Railroad of New Jersey."

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiarch.php)