H.B. Smith, who died in 1887, is often erroneously credited with having invented the Bicycle Railway. However, it wasn't until 5 years after his death that inventor Arthur Hotchkis received his patent for the unique experimental transportation system and approached the Smith Machine Company to manufacture his new device.
Click here for Bicycle Railroad Pictures
The monorail would run almost two miles from the area near the dam, at the west end of the horse sheds near the Company Store, in an almost straight line, crossing the Rancocas Creek 10 times until arriving at Pine Street, Mount Holly in a lot on the north side of the Relief Fire Company.
It took a bit longer than planned to constuct, but was ready for the Mount Holly Fair in September of 1892. Monthly commuter tickets sold for $2.00.
The Railway was exhibited at the 1893 Columbian Worlds Fair in Chicago and was very popular in the beginning. However, within only about 5 years ridership declined and the railway fell into disrepair.
Workers prepare the rail for the monorail into Mt. Holly during the summer of 1892. It opened in mid-September in time for the Mt. Holly Fair. The record speed on the railway was 4 and one-half minutes for the 1.8 mile ride to Pine St., Mt. Holly. The average trip took six to seven minutes. The demise of the railway came in July, 1898