In the early 1800s, the New Jersey Legislature had granted a monopoly to the Camden & Amboy Railroad to link New York and Philadelphia in return for a tax to be collected on each rider. As a cost-saving measure the railroad had constructed only a single track.

Over the years there were only a few minor collisions. However, as ridership grew, there were cries from some that this would eventually lead to disaster, but with growing profits and a filling state treasury, nothing was done to add a…