The New Haven Railroad was formed in 1872 with the merger of the New York & New Haven and the Hartford & New Haven railroads.
Under the stress of the 1930's depression, in 1935 the New Haven slipped into bankruptcy, remaining in trusteeship until 1947. The New Haven Railroad continued to struggle through the 1950's and once again went into bankruptcy on July 2, 1961.
At the insistence of ICC, the New Haven was merged with the Penn Central on January 1, 1969.