The historic Berlin train station, also known as the Long-a-Coming Depot, will get a much-needed facelift thanks to the efforts of a dedicated Eagle Scout.
The station holds the distinction of being the oldest existing one of its kind in New Jersey. It was built in 1856 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Jonathan Bilella, a 16-year-old Life Scout from Troop 48 in Berlin, is spearheading the train’s platform replacement project as part of his Eagle Scout requirements. He follows in the footsteps of his father and older brothers, who also achieved the Scouts’ top rank.
“The train station platform has become a safety hazard and unsafe to walk on,” Bilella explained. “My project is about replacing the Long-a-Coming Depot train station platform to ensure safety for all visitors and to preserve its historical integrity.”
Bilella’s new platform will be accurate to the station’s original design and will not only address safety concerns, but also enhance the station’s historical value. Donations from local residents and materials provided by a local lumber company have made the project possible.
As a part of the Camden County History Alliance, the station’s preservation is crucial for educating future generations about the area’s rich history. Residents and history enthusiasts see it as a way to restore a piece of Berlin’s heritage.
The Camden and Atlantic Railroad established a rail line in 1853 that paralleled the main road between Philadelphia and Atlantic City and facilitated construction of the Berlin station in 1856. Initially named Long-a-Coming Depot, the station was renamed Berlin in 1867.
Despite its historical importance, the station was closed in the 1960s due to a decline in passengers. An attempt by the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL) to demolish the station in 1968 was unsuccessful.
The Long-a-Coming Historical Society restored the station in 1994. Today, it serves as a meeting place for the historical society and local organizations. As part of the alliance, it is open to the public the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
Bilella shared his motivation and the significance of the project.
“I chose the Berlin train station as my Eagle Scout project because I always had fond memories of being there and watching the trains go by since I was younger,” said the St. Augustine Prep student. “Trains have always been a passion of mine.”
Support from his family and the community has been instrumental in the work.
“My dad Jim helped me measure and figure out what supplies I would need,” Bilella recounted. “My mother Denise has taken me to various businesses to request donations. I have been working closely with Mr. and Mrs. Pomponio, the directors of the train station and the Long-a-Coming Historical Society.
“I also received support from Carter Lumber in Winslow, Tractor Supply in West Berlin and a couple of local residents.”
The significance of becoming an Eagle Scout is not lost on Bilella.
“The rank of Eagle Scout is an honor to receive,” he pointed out. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to go through the ranks of Scouting. My grandfather supported my father, and my father, along with my grandfather, has supported myself and my brothers to be Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
“Even though my father and brothers’ projects are different from mine, we all united together as one when it comes to Scouting, especially the rank of Eagle.”
For more information about the Long-a-Coming Depot and the restoration project, visit the Berlin Borough website.
