Rare vintage railway cash fare receipt passenger transit ticket dating to circa 1941, documenting the World War II era regional operations of the Erie Railroad Company across its Greenwood Lake and Northern Railroad of New Jersey Divisions.

This historical document serves as an exceptional primary source artifact from a defining period of transit history, featuring a vibrant orange background stripe down the left side and an extensive multi-column list of historic commuter stations. This voucher displays multiple authentic star-shaped conductor punch marks at specific destination coordinates, confirming it was actively used to document a passenger journey across the line rather than remaining as an unissued file specimen. The reverse side features a handwritten green pencil notation reading 3/43, likely added by a contemporary collector or clerk to log its sorting timeline.

Ultimate Geographic Keyword Powerhouse

This specific ticket is an absolute goldmine for New York and New Jersey rail history enthusiasts, explicitly detailing a premier layout of classic commuter destinations and corporate branding including Erie Railroad Company, Robert E. Woodruff and John A. Hadden Trustees, Greenwood Lake and Northern R.R. of New Jersey Divisions, Form 9, Cash Fare Receipt, C. F. Adams Pass. Traffic Mgr., and the printing mark of Rand McNally and Company.

Historic Line Coverage

It documents the localized transit infrastructure utilized by train crews to manage on-board cash fare collections for passengers traveling between various northern New Jersey suburban hubs and downstate New York markets. The right-hand columns list legendary line stops such as Walnut St. Bloomfield, Watchung Ave., and Demarest, which match the precise physical locations of the star punch holes. The bottom of the voucher features a specialized dollar and cent accounting grid where the conductor punched out the exact fare transaction details.

Backside Minimalist Cardstock Overview

The reverse side is primarily unprinted, showcasing the clean texture of the light tan paper stock chosen for this operational run. The reverse perspective provides a clear view of the crisp, star-shaped security punch marks that verify its active use in passenger coach service, alongside the faint green pencil script which adds a layer of unique provenance to this physical survivor.

Historical Context

The Erie Railroad entered a major bankruptcy reorganization in the late 1930s, resulting in the court appointment of Robert E. Woodruff and John A. Hadden as trustees to steer the company through its financial restructuring until it successfully emerged in December 1941. This specimen captures the system at that precise operational crossroads, operating under intense pressure to move civilian commuters and industrial workers as the nation mobilized for the World War II home front effort. Cash fare receipts like this Form 9 allowed conductors to quickly collect fares on moving trains from riders who boarded at smaller rural or suburban platforms where ticket offices were already closed or non-existent, providing a vital manual ledger for corporate revenue auditors.

Please visit our store to see the rest of this newly listed collection, featuring many more rare transfers and tickets!