The Wilmington and Northern Railroad established a freight line to Birdsboro in 1870, but it was not until after its merger with the Reading Company that its passenger station (1884–1885, demolished 1963) was built in the borough.

The Main Line of the Reading Railroad opened in 1842, and ran along the left bank of the Schuylkill River.

Transportation by rail was much more expensive, but the Reading could deliver coal (or other freight) to Philadelphia in 5 hours, versus 6 days via the canal.

"The Wilmington & Northern Railroad opened in 1870, extending from Birdsboro southwardly to Chester county line, a distance of ten miles.

[5] The Wilmington & Northern began as a freight line, providing access to the Brookes' iron ore mines in southern Berks County, and transporting their workers back and forth.

[1] The Wilmington & Northern Railroad, built through the Hay Creek Valley, opened a line to Birdsboro in 1870.

[1]: 97  Contractor Levi Focht, a Birdsboro resident who constructed many of Furness's buildings for the Reading,[8] probably built it.

The east facade (facing the tracks) featured two doors and two triple windows at the north end (waiting room?

[12] When George Brooke's eldest son married in 1887, Furness designed (and Focht built) a Birdsboro mansion for the couple.