The Reading Railroad , officially known as the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states. After World War I, however, it was reorganized and became known as the Reading Company. Until the decline in anthracite loadings after World War II, it was one of the most prosperous corporations in the United States. However, the reduced coal traffic, coupled with highway competition and short hauls, forced it into bankruptcy in the 1970s. The Reading Company's railroad was merged into Conrail in 1976, but the corporation lasted into 2000 disposing of real estate holdings.
Since the railroad served Atlantic City, NJ, Reading Railroad is also a property in the popular board game Monopoly.
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