It was about quarter past three in the morning, one of those tossing and turning nights. Fifteen minutes later, I was still awake and then you could hear it.
Clear as day, a train roared down the tracks parallel to Lincoln Boulevard, whistle piercing through the night. It was late-September and the bedroom air conditioner was not turned on. But the unit’s presence in the window no doubt aided my ability to hear the racket.
Admittedly, I was more attuned to the sound of trains in the distance after the Borough Council’s Sept. 22 meeting. At that session, the mayor divulged the brutal news that the proposed merger of the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads could double the train traffic through Middlesex Borough. Local officials have weighed-in on an internet portal set up by the Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency reviewing the merger application.
Fifteen minutes after the first train, another clanked and whistled its way through town. Two trains within 15 minutes of each other, between 3:30 and 3:45 a.m. Both were clearly audible even though my home is a bit more than a half-mile from the tracks. I wondered what it must be like, in terms of train noise, to live even closer to Lincoln Boulevard. It won’t be a pleasant existence for those who do, if the proposed merger results in the anticipated increase in freight train traffic.
Industrial odors from various businesses. One company with a past that includes pollutant releases into the Ambrose Brook that feeds into Victor Crowell Park’s Creighton Lake. Now, the prospect of Casey Jones coming through twice as often starting at some point next year. What’s next for homeowners living near the tracks and the industrial zone that surrounds it?
Borough officials opposed the merger noting the past safety issues at the Cedar Avenue crossing; feared environmental, noise and vehicular traffic consequences; and questioned how hazardous material accidents would be handled.
It remains to be seen if there’s a further way for town officials to oppose the merger, other than through the online comments. Already, another railroad entity – NJ Transit – has concerns about the proposed freight carrier consolidation.
If the deal goes through, and you live near the tracks, you’re in for a wild ride. If you live near the tracks and also happen to commute via NJ Transit to New York City each day, you might need a psychologist, particularly if that rail agency’s concerns come to pass.
Like Middlesex Borough officials, NJ Transit is not a fan of the proposed merger. Already, NJ Transit’s trains are prone to delays. In a filing to national regulators, the state’s public transportation corporation said the merger could lead to “traffic increases” on Conrail’s Lehigh Line. The stretch, from Manville in Somerset County to Newark, is used by NJ Transit and freight operators including Norfolk Southern.
In a May filing, NJ Transit argued that Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern did not provide any data on the merger’s commuter impacts in their application to the STB. The Garden State’s transportation agency wrote that “Increased frequency of freight operations on these lines could materially and negatively impact NJ Transit’s commuter operations.”
Attorneys for Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern Corp., objected last month to NJ Transit’s requests to relinquish documents detailing how the merger could affect commuter train service. Those concerns are related to rail commuters. What about the added tie-ups more trains would mean for those who traverse the Cedar Avenue crossing in vehicles?
Meanwhile, the proposed merger becomes another potential quality of life headache for Middlesex Borough officials. In late September, the Borough Council held an executive session discussion related to 172 Baekeland Ave. That’s the location of Hikae Infotech, a firm that has been in municipal court answering alleged noise and other violations. Is another front in the battle for a more peaceful Middlesex about to be opened against the rail freight firms?
Voters will decide an election contest for two council seats in several weeks. The candidates have begun circulating mailers and posting on social media to publicize their positions and note that the campaign is underway. There’s been no direct mention of the sometimes daily aggravation inherent in living near the industrial zone. Republican candidates have touted the past hiring of a full-time zoning inspector, who has been involved in policing Hikae and other alleged violators.
It’s fair to wonder whether industrial odors, noise and other disturbances have become so ingrained in the mindset of Middlesex residents that they are accepted as a part of life here. Maybe frequent freight train traffic will eventually be added to the tolerated disruption list.
Copyright 2026 Dave Polakiewicz. All Rights Reserved)
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