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.