The Reading Company ( /ˈrɛdɪŋ/; Pronounced Redding. logotyped as Reading Lines), usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Until the decline in anthracite loadings in the Coal Region after World War II, it was one of the most prosperous corporations in the United States. Reduced coal traffic coupled with highway competition and short hauls forced it into bankruptcy in the 1970s. The railroad was merged into Conrail in 1976, but the corporation lasted into 2000, disposing of real estate holdings.
As of December 31, 1929, 1460.3 route-miles and 3643.9 track-miles plus 163.9/321.7 on the Atlantic City RR; as of 31 Dec 1970, 1210 route-miles, 2772 track-miles not including PRSL.
Since the railroad served Atlantic City, New Jersey (via subsidiary The Atlantic City Railroad), the Reading Railroad is a property in the American version of the board game Monopoly.
Read more about Reading Company: Company Officers, Cultural References
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