It’s hard to believe that a noisy locomotive once ran through here, given that stillness is a defining characteristic of the Middlesex Greenway. Even when people pour onto the trail from the adjacent neighborhoods, it remains a tranquil escape shielded from the everyday hum of the suburbs and the hubbub of the industries nearby.
The rail-trail sits on a corridor that once held trains moving anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. The Easton and Amboy Railroad was a subsidiary of the Lehigh Valley Railroad; it was active in some form or other from 1875 through 1991. When it ceased operations, some motivated citizens immediately recognized the potential of having a corridor that cut close to their neighborhoods. Twenty years of effort later, the rail-trail finally opened in 2012.
The Middlesex Greenway is a great trail for a leisurely stroll with a dog (leashed, of course), an evening jog, or a bike ride. Because of its location, it’s a natural draw for families, and you will see users of all ages enjoying a shady trip through history. Currently, the trail runs from Metuchen through Edison to Woodbridge.