83-675: Distances shown from Long Island City The Main Line is a rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York . It begins as a two-track line at Long Island City station in Long Island City , Queens , and runs along the middle of Long Island about 95 miles (153 km) to Greenport station in Greenport , Suffolk County . At Harold Interlocking approximately one mile east of Long Island City,
166-584: A $ 22,697,500 federal grant from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) for the project. The total cost was estimated at $ 45 million. Construction on the project began in 1968. On October 19, 1970, the LIRR's $ 69 million electrification project from Mineola to Huntington was completed. The project was funded through grants from UMTA and a New York State Transportation bond issue. 16 miles (26 km) of track were electrified as part of
249-481: A clearance of at least 14 feet (4.3 m). A new street would be carried across the line east of Hillside station. The LIRR planned to replace existing stations at Hillside and Union Hall Streets with more up-to-date facilities with full length concrete high-level platforms. The estimated cost of the project was $ 2,460,000. On December 6, 1923, the Transit Commission ordered the LIRR to extend 195th Street under
332-502: A few feet of Queens Boulevard at Lefferts Avenue (now Boulevard) and then curved sharply southeast around the southern edge of Maple Grove Cemetery, slowing service. The land for the right-of-way to the west of Lefferts Avenue was acquired from the Cord Meyer Development Corporation , while the land to the east was purchased from Alrick Man, the founder of the urban neighborhood of Richmond Hill . While he had to sell
415-489: A grade-crossing elimination project at Hicksville was completed, with the new station being located on an elevated structure. The $ 15 million project eliminated seven grade-crossings, provided 556 parking spaces, and rebuilt the Hicksville station as a three-track station with two 1,235 foot (376 m)-long island platforms. The parking spaces were built along the old at-grade right-of-way. A grade crossing at Charlotte Avenue to
498-500: A loss of annual revenue between $ 750,000 and $ 1 million with the opening of the extension of the Independent Subway System 's Queens Boulevard Line to Jamaica. Westbridge station closed on January 1, 1939. On August 15, 1955, LIRR officials announced that it would install a complicated arrangement of signals and switches to the east of the station within two weeks for nearly $ 100,000 to allow eastbound express trains in
581-447: A new yard at Ronkonkoma. Double-track would be installed between Deer Park and Brentwood. Initially, a full second track was going to be built between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma. However, due to funding issues, only passing sidings, and double tracking at some stations was completed. In addition, bridges, substations and most platforms were built to accommodate a second track. Long Island City station The Long Island City station
664-666: A portion of the tracks of the Flushing Railroad between Winfield and Hunters Point. Floral Park station was built between October and November 1878 as "Stewart Junction," for the junction between the LIRR Main Line and the Central Railroad of Long Island built by Alexander Turney Stewart . Five years earlier the CRRLI had bridged the LIRR, and the station served as a connection between both lines. Connecting tracks were available at
747-507: A supplement to the LIRR's charter passed March 12, 1860 authorized it to buy the NY&;J and build a new main line from Jamaica to Hunters Point . The LIRR carried through with the NY&J purchase on April 25, along with the purchase of a short piece of the Brooklyn and Jamaica at Jamaica. The new line to Hunters Point was officially opened on May 9, 1861, with regular service starting May 10, using
830-409: A third track between Divide and Queens Interlockings and a fourth track between Queens and Harold Interlockings. East of Ronkonkoma to Greenport, the line is not electrified and trains operate in non-signaled dark territory , with all train movements being governed by timetable and train order authority . Passenger service east of Hicksville station is covered by Ronkonkoma Branch timetables, as it
913-466: Is wheelchair accessible , with an elevator to each platform from street level. It is served by eight Nassau Inter-County Express routes and two cab services on the ground level of the station. Hicksville station's first depot opened on March 1, 1837, and it served as the temporary terminus of the LIRR. Both the station and the eponymous hamlet were established by Valentine Hicks – the son of an abolitionist preacher who also briefly served as President of
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#1732851340644996-648: Is a rail terminal of the Long Island Rail Road in the Hunters Point and Long Island City neighborhoods of Queens , New York City. Located within the City Terminal Zone at Borden Avenue and Second Street, it is the westernmost LIRR station in Queens and the end of both the Main Line and Montauk Branch . The station consists of one passenger platform located at ground level and is wheelchair accessible. The station
1079-605: Is served only during weekday rush hours in the peak direction by diesel trains from the Oyster Bay , Montauk, or Port Jefferson Branches via the Main Line . Until November 2012, some LIRR trains also ran via the Lower Montauk Branch to and from this station. Due to this limited service, it gets only 101 riders per week, making it the second least used LIRR station in New York City (after Mets–Willets Point ). This station
1162-504: Is the final connecting point to other services. The Main Line has one track from just east of Long Island City , where it splits into two tracks just before Borden Avenue, which continue through Hunterspoint Avenue station to Harold Interlocking (HAROLD, 0.6 miles (0.97 km) northwest of the Woodside station), where the four track Northeast Corridor from Penn Station in Manhattan joins
1245-604: Is used by all trains operating to New York Penn Station and Grand Central Madison , both in Manhattan. The portion between HAROLD and the Long Island City station is used by trains originating or terminating at Hunterspoint Avenue or Long Island City. East of Jamaica station, the Main Line is used by all trains on the Hempstead Branch (diverging east of Queens Village), the Oyster Bay Branch (diverging east of Mineola),
1328-800: The East Side of Manhattan , specifically to the East 34th Street Ferry Landing in Murray Hill , and the James Slip Ferry Port in what is today part of the Two Bridges section of Lower Manhattan . The passenger ferry service was abandoned on March 3, 1925. A track spur split from the Montauk Branch east of the Long Island City station, running along the south border of the station before curving north to
1411-511: The New York City Board of Estimate approved the plans for bridges at Union Turnpike and Ascan Avenue, but did not approve the plans for the bridge carrying Quentin Road and Lefferts Avenue over the line as these streets were not yet included on the city's map. The plans were modified in 1909 to add bridges at Penelope Avenue and Ascan Avenue. The grading of the right-of-way and the laying of track
1494-669: The North Shore Freight Branch running between 48th and 49th Avenues, where there were connections to car floats at what is today the Gantry Plaza State Park . These car floats carried freight trains to and from Manhattan and New Jersey until the mid-20th century. Today, ferry service is operated by NYC Ferry . The station house was torn down again in 1939 for construction of the Queens–Midtown Tunnel , but continued to operate as an active station throughout
1577-488: The Panic of 1837 severely curtailed construction. Construction on the line to Greenport resumed in 1840. It was extended to Farmingdale on October 15, 1841, Deer Park on March 14, 1842, Brentwood on June 24, 1842, Central Islip on July 14, 1842 and Yaphank on June 26, 1844. An opening excursion to Greenport was operated on July 27, 1844, and revenue service began over the full line on July 29. The city of Brooklyn banned
1660-746: The Cemetery, and during this period, the managers of the cemetery made arrangements to have visitors transported free of charge to the Richmond Hill station on the Montauk Division . The tracks were relaid during September and October 1882, and the line was rebuilt as a double-track line with iron rails. The line was reopened on October 25, 1882 for freight only to allow the Montauk Division to be exclusively used for passenger service. Service resumed on May 30, 1883 with one daily train in each direction after
1743-422: The Hicksville station ran on October 19th of that year. The station underwent a full renovation beginning in early 2014. The $ 121 million renovation included replacing station platforms, escalators, elevators, waiting rooms, canopies, and lighting. Security cameras were also added during the renovation. Construction was estimated to last through 2017, and was expected to be completed by August 2018. Platform A
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#17328513406441826-407: The LIRR from using steam propulsion within city limits effective July 1, 1851. The railroad refused to comply until early October, when they stopped freight and passenger trains at Jamaica, directing passengers to take Fulton Street stages to Bedford and transfer there to "Jamaica Line" stages. Laws passed on April 19, 1859 allowed for the appointment of commissioners, empowered to contract with
1909-560: The LIRR to close the Cobble Hill Tunnel , cease using steam within city limits, and instead run horse cars for freight and passengers to the city line or East New York , connecting with steam trains to and beyond Jamaica there. By the fall of 1861, both use of steam as propulsion and of the tunnel had ceased. In order to maintain access to New York, the LIRR chartered the New York and Jamaica Railroad (NY&J) on September 3, 1859, and
1992-686: The LIRR undertook the construction of the Maple Grove Cut-Off for $ 500,000. The Cut-Off shortened the Main Line by 328 feet (100 m), and sped up service with the construction of a new straightened four-track route that ran at a lower grade. The Cut-Off branched from the original line about 400 feet (120 m) north of Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills , and continued to 84th Drive in Kew Gardens, or about 700 feet (210 m) east of Lefferts Avenue. The original line ran straight from Winfield to within
2075-598: The LIRR. In 1841, the Main Line was extended east from Hicksville to Farmingdale , after a delay caused by the depression that had begun with the Panic of 1837 . In 1854, the station gained a line known as the Hicksville and Syosset Railroad that later became the Port Jefferson Branch of the LIRR. Ten years later, on July 15, 1864, Hicksville's first depot burned down. A second depot opened in September 1873, and
2158-637: The Main Line after passing through the East River Tunnels . East of HAROLD, the four-track Main Line runs adjacent to the two-track Port Washington Branch until, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) southeast of the Woodside station, the Port Washington Branch turns northeastward. The Main Line continues southeast with four tracks to JAY Interlocking where it meets the Atlantic Branch and Montauk Branch at
2241-577: The Main Line and two for the North Side Railroad (now Port Washington Branch ), with seven steel viaducts carrying the LIRR diagonally over the intervening street grid. A temporary Woodside station near 61st Street and Woodside Avenue opened in April 1913, replacing the old Woodside station at 39th Avenue and 58th Street. When the project was completed in November 1915, both the temporary Woodside station and
2324-477: The Main Line between Winfield and Jamaica from one track to four tracks, with two additional tracks between the Glendale Cut-Off and Winfield. 40 grade crossings were eliminated as part of the project. In addition, the line was electrified using a third rail . This was expected to reduce the running time between Jamaica and Sunnyside Yard from 18 minutes to 12 minutes. To speed up service through Kew Gardens,
2407-511: The Main Line east of Jamaica station and a crossing at Hillside on the Montauk Division to complete the elimination of grade crossings on the Main Line east of Jamaica within city limits. The LIRR accepted the order and expected to begin construction on the project following the completion of the Queens Elimination project. As part of the project, grade crossings at New York Avenue, Puntine Street, Smith Street, Canal Street, Brenton Avenue with
2490-671: The Main Line in Hollis. Work was complete soon afterwards. Work began on the Jamaica Elimination project in October 1929, and was completed in 1931. At the same time, work was done to extend 177th Street under the Montauk Division. The total cost of the project was $ 5,897,000. The grade crossings were eliminated by raising the line onto an embankment between retaining walls. Stations along the Main Line east of Floral Park to Mineola were electrified by October 1926. The Oyster Bay Branch, which left
2573-426: The Main Line, allowing for increased peak direction capacity without adding additional tracks. The signaling project would also install automatic speed control and interlocking improvements. To provide interim benefits from reverse-signaling, one block reverse signaling was installed on the eastbound Main Line 2 track, allowing westbound diesels in the morning peak to head west by signal indication, reducing congestion on
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2656-444: The Main Line, and at South Street with the Montauk Division would be eliminated. Existing grade-separated crossings at Union Hall Street, Washington Street, and Prospect Street, which crossed over the rail line would be modified to be under-grade crossings. At the time, the Main Line tracks were elevated at Jamaica, and then descended on a steep grade to the east of the station to a level 20 feet (6.1 m) lower. After Hillside station,
2739-678: The Port Jefferson Branch (diverging east of Hicksville), and the Ronkonkoma Branch (terminating at Ronkonkoma, the eastern limits of the line's electrification ). Some Montauk Branch trains use the Main Line on their way to Babylon via the Central Branch , diverging east of Bethpage . Only a few diesel shuttle trains, informally known as scoots , operate between Ronkonkoma and Greenport . The Main Line opened beyond Jamaica to Hicksville on March 1, 1837; shortly afterwards,
2822-632: The built-up portion of Richmond Hill. Man built streets through the property of the old golf club, and built elegant homes close to the new railroad station, creating what is known as Kew Gardens today. On November 20, 1908, the New York Public Service Commission approved the LIRR's application to complete the Maple Grove Cut-Off. Limited construction began on the Cut-Off in November 1908, with real work beginning in March 1909. On December 4, 1908,
2905-445: The completion of the project to 60 percent. With the opening of this track, service in both directions was relocated from the previous level, 20 feet (6.1 m) below the embankment level, to the embankment, allowing the old tracks to be discontinued, and for five grade crossings to be closed. In February 1924, work on the project was expected to be completed in May, though it was completed in
2988-526: The construction of a new grade-separated route within Woodside to increase train capacity, which was limited by the previous at-grade routing. Land acquisition for this reroute, dubbed the "Woodside/Winfield Cut-Off", starting in 1908. In order to provide fast service for the opening of the Pennsylvania Railroad 's East River Tunnels in 1910, the Long Island Rail Road completely rebuilt
3071-481: The day. As part of the MTA's first capital program, the signaling system on the Main Line between Jamaica and Penn Station would be upgraded to reduce congestion and allow for increased capacity. The project would construct a new control center at Penn Station, allowing for remote control of Harold Interlocking, redesign Harold Interlocking, modernize towers and switching systems at Penn Station, and install reverse-signaling on
3154-697: The evening rush hour to bypass the station via the station's westbound tracks. The LIRR was in the process of planning improvements to the station's west to allow westbound express trains in the morning rush hour to run via the station's eastbound tracks. On July 10, 1956, the LIRR began work on a $ 750,000 project to install reverse signaling on the 15.7 miles of the Main Line between Divide Interlocking in Hicksville and Hall Interlocking in Jamaica. The project modified existing signaling with remotely-controlled switches. Along with additional crossovers, this would enable peak-direction express trains to bypass local trains by using
3237-417: The fall. The new station at Bellaire opened on September 20, 1924 with high-level platforms. The project to eliminate the five grade crossings cost $ 2,500,000, while the project to extend Cross Island Boulevard under the line cost $ 75,000, and the project to do the same for Bellaire Boulevard (211th Street) cost $ 60,000. On January 16, 1923, the Transit Commission ordered the LIRR to eliminate five crossings on
3320-525: The gates at the crossings were down. It was decided to construct the grade separation on an elevated structure rather than in an open cut so as to not interfere with the city sewer system and as it would require ridiculously steep grades. The existing bridges at Prospect Street, Washington Street, and Union Hall Street were very old, had steep grades of over 8 percent on either side. The steep grade starting west of Prospect Street caused many delays for westbound service as trains had to increase speed before going up
3403-636: The grade and could not operate as slowly as would be necessary for efficient train operations at Jamaica. As part of the plan, the Main Line would be increased to eight tracks, four of which would connect with the four-track right-of-way starting at Hollis. Two tracks would allow freight traffic to go to Holban Yard without having to use the Main Line tracks as was done at the time, and the two other tracks would be used for Montauk Division trains, which would no longer need to cross Main Line tracks at grade. The line would be built on embankment with concrete retaining walls, with all crossings to be made below grade, with
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3486-498: The introduction of electric service to Penn Station using the Maple Grove Cut-Off. The first train left the station at 4:14 a.m. The first passenger boarding at Kew was also the first passenger to pass through the gates at Penn Station. The present Jamaica station was designed by Kenneth M. Murchison and built between 1912 and 1913 as a replacement for the two former stations in Jamaica. Both former stations were discontinued as station stops. The 1912–13 "Jamaica Improvement"
3569-602: The line on an embankment and constructing bridges, and two new streets were extended underneath the line, at Bellaire Boulevard and Cross Island Boulevard. In addition, the line was four-tracked and electrification was extended to Floral Park. Bellaire and Queens stations were rebuilt with concrete high-level platforms that could accommodate eleven-car trains. Pedestrian subways were constructed between platforms at Floral Park and Bellerose, station platforms at Hillside and Hollis were extended new interlockings were installed at Floral Park and Queens, and an automatic block signaling system
3652-430: The line went up on a more gradual grade and rose to approximately the same elevation at Jamaica Station at Farmers Avenue in Hollis. All the at-grade crossings in the section were heavily trafficked, and buildings and other obstacles obstructed views of the crossings. The Canal Street crossing had seven tracks, while the others had five tracks. During the summer, car traffic would pile up for several blocks on both sides when
3735-506: The main line at Mineola, was partially electrified in June 1934 north to East Williston station . New York City applied to extend 199th Street and 202nd Street across the Main Line in Queens. On September 26, 1928, the Transit Commission ordered to extend 202nd Street across the line below the grade of the line, and to create a pedestrian only underpass for 199th Street. The plans for the crossing at 199th Street were approved on April 17, 1929, while
3818-432: The managers of the cemetery made a request to the directors of the Long Island Rail Road. In 1886, the station was moved 40 feet (12 m) to provide space for a lawn and flowerbed. After Hopedale station closed in 1884, this was the only station on the Main Line between Winfield and Jamaica, and as of 1897, the line was mostly used for freight, with the exception of some passenger service during commuting hours. The line
3901-506: The original Winfield Junction station on the old routing were replaced by stations along the new route. Work on the Queens Elimination Project, which extended from a point 2,000 feet (610 m) west of Bellerose station to Hollis station, was completed in 1924. As part of the project, five grade crossings, at Hempstead Turnpike, Springfield Boulevard, Bennet Avenue, Wertland Avenue, and Madison Avenue, were eliminated by placing
3984-614: The plans for 202nd Street were approved on August 19, 1931. In 1931, it was expected to begin work in 1932. On March 17, 1936, at a hearing of the New York State Transit Commission and the New York State Public Service Commission, the LIRR said that it would seek permission in 1937 to abandon the three stations along the Main Line between Jamaica and Pennsylvania Station—Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, and Woodside. The LIRR had said that it anticipated
4067-484: The project was expected to be completed by the end of the year to Floral Park, and in 1958 to Jamaica. The equipment was provided by the Union Switch and Signal Company. On April 22, 1957, work began on a $ 12,500 project to extend the station platform at Hicksville by 470 feet to allow trains to stop without blocking grade crossings at Broadway and Jerusalem Avenue. Work was expected to be complete about May 6. To complete
4150-466: The project were constructed with concrete floors, heavy steel girders, and watertight steel. On September 8, 1910, the line between Long Island City and Jamaica was electrified, and service to Pennsylvania Station was inaugurated. Initially, service consisted of 101 trains in each direction to the Hempstead, Far Rockaway and Long Beach branches. On September 8, 1910, the new Kew station opened along with
4233-441: The project, changes were made in the handling of express and freight operations, a switch was moved, and tracks in the freight yard were relocated. The LIRR had completed similar platform extension projects at Manhasset, Bethpage, Westbury, Copiague, Malverne, and Brentwood. Merillon Avenue station was rebuilt in 1958, featuring a smaller structure, as well as a narrow, 11'6" bridge under the tracks for Nassau Boulevard; this bridge
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#17328513406444316-421: The project, four stations would be eliminated (Grumman, Republic, Pine Aire and Deer Park), eight stations would receive high-level platforms (Bethpage, Farmingdale, Pinelawn, Wyandanch, a new Deer Park stop, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma). The platforms at Farmingdale and Bethpage were replaced as part of a separate program. In addition, the line would receive new signaling, additional passing sidings, and
4399-481: The project. Diesel service on this section was replaced with electric service running directly to Penn Station, eliminating the need to change at Jamaica, and saving passengers an average of 15 minutes. This was the LIRR's first new electrification project since 1925. Union Hall Street closed on May 20, 1977. Some people in the area were already under the impression the station was closed. Some time before, wire fences were installed to seal Union Street, which passes under
4482-724: The property of the Richmond Hill Golf Club and 25 acres of estate, he still owned a lot of the land in Richmond Hill, and therefore financially benefitted from the move. Since the golf course was going to be cut in half by the railroad, Man closed the course in 1906, and decided to sell the course and turn it into a residential community. The right-of-way initially had room for six tracks, of which four tracks were built. The two additional tracks would have been used for freight. The LIRR's right-of-way increased from 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 m) to 150 feet (46 m). Crystal Lake, which
4565-488: The remaining are only used by diesel-powered trains. Hicksville (LIRR station) Hicksville station is a commuter rail station on the Main Line and Port Jefferson Branch of the Long Island Rail Road , located in Hicksville , New York . It is the busiest station east of Jamaica and Penn Station by combined weekday/weekend ridership. The station is located at Newbride Road (NY 106) and West Barclay Street. It has two island platforms and three tracks. It
4648-466: The southwest corner of the bridge at the station, and on the northwest corner of the bridge west of the station. It was renamed "Hinsdale" in 1879 with the closing of the CRRLI depot of the same name along the Creedmoor Branch , then renamed "East Hinsdale" in 1887. That same year, the station gained a control tower known as "Tower #47." Apparently due to the presence of the florist John Lewis Childs ,
4731-466: The station replacing Maple Grove on the Main Line. The LIRR stated that the station would continue to receive service. Provisions were left for future crossings at Roman Avenue (72nd Avenue), Puritan Avenue (75th Avenue), and Allegheny Avenue (77th Avenue). The floor system of the Union Turnpike bridge was designed to allow for two trolley tracks to pass over it. All of the bridges completed as part of
4814-589: The station was renamed "Floral Park" by 1890. On January 1, 1881, Austin Corbin took over the Long Island Rail Road and sought out to install new rails on the Main Line from Winfield Junction to Jamaica. In February 1881, all service on the Main Line was halted, and this station was temporarily abandoned at this time. Starting in April, the old rails were torn up and used on the South Side Railroad of Long Island . The temporary abandonment inconvenienced visitors to
4897-470: The station's parking lot, where it remains standing today. In October 1970, the tracks on the Main Line were electrified from Mineola to Hicksville, and up the Port Jefferson Branch as far east as Huntington . With the electrification came the introduction of electric train service to the Hicksville station and direct service to Penn Station, thus eliminating the need for Hicksville customers to change trains at Jamaica . The first electric train to serve
4980-418: The station, to car traffic. An opening was left to allow people to reach the staircases to the platforms. In October 1979, work began on a $ 525,000 project to extend the platforms at New Hyde Park station to accommodate ten-car trains. At the time, the westbound platform was eight cars long, while the eastbound platform was four cars long. The work, which also required some renovations to the station building,
5063-523: The stations to accommodate full-length trains. This move was opposed by civic groups, and resulted in an investigation by the Public Service Commission . However, the platform extensions were removed by March 1964. Prior to their removal, the platforms extended to the overpass at 82nd Avenue (formerly known as Onslow Place). A staircase from each platform allowed passengers to enter and leave the station from its western end. On September 12, 1964,
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#17328513406445146-403: The track that was currently being used for infrequent reverse-peak service. This would enable running times on existing expresses trains from Hicksville to be reduced, and allow local trains to make additional stops west of Hicksville. Under the existing service plan, the number of stops local trains could make were limited to avert delaying express trains following behind them. On July 10, 1956, to
5229-561: The tracks from the East River Tunnels and 63rd Street Tunnel into Manhattan intersect with the Main Line, which most trains use rather than using the Long Island City station. Continuing east, five branches split from the Main Line. In order from west to east, they are: West of Ronkonkoma station , the Main Line is largely double tracked and electrified with 750V DC third rail , with trains governed by Automatic Block and Interlocking Signals and by Automatic Train Control . The line contains
5312-432: The tunnel's construction and opening. This station has 13 tracks and three concrete high-level island platforms . The northernmost platform, Platform A, is two cars long and is accessible from Borden Avenue just west of Fifth Street. Platforms B and C are located within the secure area of the rail yard. All tracks without platforms are used for train storage. The southernmost six tracks are powered by third rail , while
5395-525: The two former freight tracks on the south side of Hall tower. Just east of there, Montauk Branch trains get their own two tracks in the center of the four Main Line tracks until the Montauk tracks fly over the other tracks and head southeast. At QUEENS Interlocking, just inside Nassau County between the Queens Village and Bellerose stations, the four-track Main Line splits into the three-track Main Line and
5478-418: The two track Port Jefferson Branch begins and curves to the north. At Hicksville, the Main Line reverts to two tracks. From FARM Interlocking (just east of Farmingdale station), the Main Line continues to Ronkonkoma, except for some freight sidings along the route. The Main Line west of Jamaica to Harold Interlocking is the only line that connects to the East River Tunnels and the 63rd Street Tunnel , so it
5561-485: The two-track Hempstead Branch (with one track shared by both lines); the four tracks continue parallel to Floral Park station, after which the Hempstead Branch curves away southward and the three-track Main Line continues east to Mineola . East of Mineola, the Oyster Bay Branch splits from the northernmost Main Line track and curves to the north. The Main Line then continues east from Mineola to Hicksville , where
5644-631: The under-construction Queens Boulevard near 67th Street, as well as the need to construct the elevated IRT Flushing Line over the new route at 61st Street. Work on the Winfield project resumed in 1912, and the following year, the Dual Contracts finalized the plans for the Flushing Line. The project entailed building six electrified tracks between Woodside and the Winfield Junction station, four for
5727-545: The west end of Jamaica station. Eight platform tracks and two bypass tracks pass Jamaica station, along with a few yard tracks and two former freight tracks on the south side that can be used by trains bypassing Jamaica. At HALL Interlocking just east of the station there are eight through tracks: two usually westward tracks for Main Line and Montauk trains, two Atlantic Branch tracks that are about to duck under and turn southeast, two usually eastward Main Line/Montauk tracks, and
5810-449: The west of Hicksville, a pre-fabricated bridge that would hold automatic signals was installed. The first 6.3-mile section, between Hicksville and Mineola, was completed in early 1957. Completing this section required the installation of three sets of crossover switches, over 400 electrical relays, housed in 18 steel cabinets, 1,500 feet of pipe for air lines for the operation of switches, and about 42 miles of cable and wire. In December 1957,
5893-490: The west of the station was removed in 1969. The LIRR was acquired by New York State in 1965 and was put under the control of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority (MCTA). It authorized engineering studies for the extension of electrified service along the Main Line from Mineola to Hicksville , then along the Port Jefferson Branch to Huntington . On June 13, 1967 the LIRR received
5976-405: The westbound tracks. This operation started in May 1983. These projects were expected to cost $ 66.2 million. At the time, in 1983, the Main Line west of Jamaica heading to Penn Station was at capacity, with 40 trains using the two Main Line tracks in the peak direction. In 1983, the LIRR recommended electrifying and double-tracking sections of the Main Line from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma. As part of
6059-461: Was built on June 26, 1854, and rebuilt seven times during the 19th century. On December 18, 1902, both the two-story station building and office building owned by the LIRR burned down. The rebuilt, and fire-proof, station opened on April 26, 1903. Electric service to the station began on June 16, 1910. Before the East River Tunnels were built, this station served as the terminus for Manhattan-bound passengers from Long Island, who took ferries to
6142-478: Was centered around Union Hall Street, 0.6 miles (0.97 km) east of the new station at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue. The LIRR thus decided to add a new Union Hall Street station in 1913. (The Union Hall Street station closed on May 20, 1977.) Meanwhile, the Winfield relocation project was delayed due to uncertainties about certain portions of the project, such as the new trestle that had to be erected across
6225-406: Was completed by September 1909. On July 26, 1909, eastbound trains started running over the Maple Grove Cut-Off. On July 30, westbound trains began running via the cut-off with its completion. Following the completion of the Cut-Off, riders who patronized the Richmond Hill station on the Montauk Division were concerned that passenger service to their station would be discontinued, requiring them to use
6308-445: Was double-tracked to Hicksville in 1890. The line was electrified to Queens Village and Belmont Park on October 2, 1905. On May 26, 1908, the line was electrified to Floral Park ; Hempstead Branch stations southeast of Floral Park were electrified on the same date. The line was triple-tracked between Bellerose and Floral Park in 1908. Around the same time, the construction of Pennsylvania Station and Sunnyside Yard necessitated
6391-740: Was expected to be completed in four months. On February 1, 1980, the LIRR, in response to audit released by the state comptroller on November 16, 1979, submitted a proposal to close 29 stations, including Kew Gardens, to save $ 250,000. The audit evaluated ticket sales in 1976, and recommended that stations with fewer than 60 transactions per hour be closed. Thirty-nine LIRR stations fell in to this category, but ten were not recommended for closure, either because they were terminals or switch locations. In addition to Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, East Hampton , Westhampton , Sea Cliff and Locust Valley would be completely closed. The other stations would have been closed on weekends, every day but Monday, or closed half of
6474-431: Was in the path of the Cut-Off, was drained in 1909. As part of the initial agreement, bridges over the new right-of-way were to be built over Quentin Road (now 80th Road) and Lefferts Avenue. The Maple Grove station was moved from its location 500 feet (150 m) south of Kew Gardens Road (old Newtown Avenue) to a spot 600 feet (180 m) south along the north side of tracks on the west side of Lefferts Avenue, closer to
6557-405: Was installed between Floral Park and Hillside. Telephone and telegraph lines were constructed as part of the project, as was a freight yard at Queens, and a storage yard east of Floral Park for electric local trains. On December 17, 1923, the first track on the embankment opened for service in the westbound direction. On January 7, 1924, a second track, an eastbound one, opened for service, increasing
6640-405: Was moved to a private location in 1909. The third depot opened on October 30, 1909, and was razed in November 1962 as the current elevated structure was being built. The elevated station opened on September 12, 1964. In 1965, an eagle sculpture from the original Penn Station , which had recently been demolished, was moved to the Hicksville station. The sculpture was subsequently installed in
6723-491: Was replaced with a 14"-high bridge as part of the Main Line Expansion Project in October 2019. In November 1963, the LIRR announced a plan to shorten the platforms at Forest Hills and Kew Gardens by 300 feet (91 m). The railroad's justification was that ridership at the stations was low, and did not warrant repairing the crumbling concrete. These sections of platforms had been installed in about 1929 to allow
6806-457: Was the final step in consolidating the branch lines of the LIRR. To the west of the station, Jay Interlocking was built, and to the east, Hall Interlocking was constructed. These interlockings allowed any line to reach any other line, allowing easy transfer between lines at Jamaica station, which is the hallmark of current day LIRR service. When the new Jamaica station opened, residents of Jamaica were dissatisfied with its location; downtown Jamaica
6889-414: Was the first platform to be rebuilt, reopening in September 2017. The electrical substation at Hicksville station will be replaced as part of the Main Line third track project. The rehabilitation project was officially completed in September 2018. Generally, Platform A serves westbound trains and Platform B serves eastbound trains. Track 2 operates with the flow of rush hour, handling westbound trains in
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