Memories of the M&NJ in 1962
by John Milligan
Special Thanks to John Deserto for contributing and
editing this article for the website
I was 8
years old when my grandfather and I took a ride on the Middletown and New
Jersey Railway. The engineer was Henry Eason and he had two other crew
members with him. We were given this privilege of a ride because Henry was
dating my grandfather's sister-in-law and Mr. Deubler, M&NJ GM, was a
neighbor. Henry picked us up at the Genung St. Bridge and we rode to
Unionville and back. The train consisted of diesel engine #1 (where we all
rode) and two box cars. We dropped off one car at the creamery in Slate
Hill, which is now Balchem, and the another one at the Minisink Plant in
Unionville. We also picked up a car from the Minisink Plant and then
returned to Middletown.
The amount of time it took for this ride is unclear after all
these years, but the pleasure and memories of riding the #1 still live on.
One of the memories I will never forget is two calves jumping on the tracks
in front of us near where the Vreeland Farm is now. Henry had to think fast,
apply the brakes, hard, to save the calves and avoid an accident.
I also remember the conductor having to get off the train at
Lime Kiln Road crossing to shovel off the dirt and gravel because it was
still a dirt road. Another memory was of listening to Henry Eason and the
conductor telling my grandfather, as I listened and hung on every word,
about their many experiences. They had ridden from Middletown to Unionville
and back many times and one thing was always the same, the unexpected was to
be expected.
Now, after only 32 years (1995), I was given the honor of
riding the rails again with Harold Rasmussen as engineer and Peter Brill as
conductor. As I rode the train I listened to more stories, again hanging on
every word. I got off feeling like I was 8 years old and just had the thrill
of a day! I just hope I won't have to wait another 32 years to ride again, I
may not remember what it feels like to be 8.
