Garbage‑filled railcars unleash foul odor and swarms of insects in quiet New Jersey town

It’s the kind of scene you’d expect on the outskirts of a big city, not in the sleepy, tree‑lined streets of Manville, New Jersey. Since April, a string of garbage‑filled freight cars has been idling on the town’s rail yard, releasing a sour, lingering odor that drifts into nearby homes.

Neighbors say the stench is more than just unpleasant—it’s downright embarrassing. Maribel Restrepo, who watches the tracks from her kitchen window, admits she now avoids inviting friends over. “They leave early because they feel sick,” she told NJ.com, adding that the smell has become a permanent backdrop to daily life.

It isn’t just the smell that’s ruining evenings; swarms of flies and mosquitoes have turned the once‑peaceful neighborhood into a buzzing nightmare. Residents complain of bites and sleepless nights, and many have taken to keeping windows shut even in the summer heat.

The rail cars belong to CS X Transportation, a Florida‑based freight giant that operates more than 20,000 miles of track nationwide. According to the company’s media director, Austin Staton, the cars are part of “routine interchange operations” and are supposed to move on quickly. However, a recent operational change caused unexpected delays, leaving the cars stationary for days at a time.

Manville’s mayor, Richard Onderko, expressed frustration after the town’s health board received no official complaints—despite the obvious nuisance. “We’ve had an inspector on site every day, but the issue keeps worsening,” he said to PIX11. The county’s board of health has reportedly halted daily inspections because they claimed there were no formal grievances filed.

CS X has issued an apology, citing the summer heat and extended dwell times as factors that amplified the odor. The company says it is working with local officials to shorten the stay of the rail cars and explore relocation options, promising to be a better neighbor whenever operationally feasible.