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Ronkonkoma Branch By David Paul Gerber |
The Ronkonkoma Branch is LIRR’s main line to Riverhead and Greenport and is currently the system’s oldest line. The entire line from Flatbush Ave (at that time, Penn Station did not exist yet) to Greenport was completed in 1844. Before the 1980’s renovation, the station named after its branch, Ronkonkoma, was just like any other station and suffered from reliance of diesel trains. You had to change trains at Hicksville to continue your trip. Over the past 15 years, the line has undergone many changes. In 1987, the line was electrified from Hicksville (east of Divide Tower) to the current home of Ronkonkoma and the branch station itself was transformed from a little low platform station with minimal parking and small station house into a major park-and-ride facility for eastern Suffolk county residents. Riders along stations from Ronkonkoma to Bethpage now have a direct one-seat ride to Penn Station and Atlantic Ave stations. Most of the other stations along the Ronkonkoma Branch were either closed, or relocated with new platforms and station houses, these stations houses look much the same design with tinted windows and door entrances (There is a 1960’s feel to these houses). 2 years after the electrification, Ronkonkoma station also received new platforms and other amenities. The line stretches all the way out to Greenport, but at one time several decades ago, there was a single line track from the old Manorville station (near the current Yaphank station) to the Montauk branch at Speonk, it was closed in the 60’s. Currently, service runs 24/7 between Ronkonkoma and Penn with one train each way to HP and a couple of trains to/from Atlantic Ave during the AM and PM peak periods. East of Ronkonkoma, there is very limited dual-mode service to Greenport, and is a popular destination spot in the spring and summer.
We start our trip from Hicksville and make the customary split to the right at Divide tower. (See PJ branch for more information on Divide). During the course of the trip, there are numerous tail and lead tracks that are ripped apart. The actual use of these tracks is not known.
Grumman: Abandoned Station, stop was discontinued in the 1970’s (can anyone confirm the closure?)
Bethpage: This is the home of Bethpage State Park and golf course. The station has 2 tracks, 2 side platforms, parking on south side. The original ticket office and low platform is across the grade crossing to the west of the station. First station house built in 1884 at “Central Park”, and was demolished and replaced by the current station house in 1959.
Farmingdale: 2 tracks, 2 side platforms, parking at both sides. The current station house was built in 1890 on the south platform and is quite historical; it still stands to this day.
Leaving Farmingdale, a 3rd track opens up, then quickly becomes single track. Before our train reaches the next current stop, it becomes 2 tracks again.
Republic: Abandoned station, the stop was used for employees and seasonal airport of the nearby Republic Airport.
Pinelawn: One track, one short (2 car lengths) platform on the south side of a single track. Surrounded by Pinelawn Cemetery, it is the more scenic non-coastal stops for its serene park-like environment. It is the only LIRR station that is open during hours of the park and cemetery and is not open during either AM or PM peak periods. The station house and platform was renovated in 1985.
Wyandanch: one platform, one track, parking and station house on north side, closer to west end near grade crossing. The current station house was built in 1987 and replaced the older station house that was built in 1958. The original station opened as West Deer Park before it was relocated to the current station location.
At this point, the line opens up to two tracks again.
Deer Park: 2 tracks, 2 side platforms, large parking lot and station house on north side. An ATM machine is located next to the station house. Prior to the new station opening in 1987, the old station location was ½ mile to the west, just off Deer Park Ave. The newer station is currently located between Commack Ave and the Sagitos State Parkway.
Pineaire: Abandoned station. This stop was discontinued on 10/1986 because the Deer Park stop was relocated closer to this station so it was no longer needed. The old 1915 station house was demolished in 1962 and had no replacement.
Brentwood: 2 tracks, 2 side platforms, parking on north side. Overpass, station house and ATM machine are all on the east end of the north platform. Original station location is about 1,000ike most of the new high level platforms on the Ronkonkoma branch, the station house was built in 1987. The old station house and station is about 1,000 feet west of the current station on the south side. The station house still exits, although it is vacant.
Central Islip: 2 tracks, 2 side platforms. Like Deer Park and Brentwood, the original station low platform and station house is about 1,500 feet west of the current 1987 hi-level station. There is evidence of the low platform and station house at the original location, which was only built in 1958, young by LIRR’s standards. The current 1987 station has the station house on the south side this time instead of the customary north side of most station houses. A grade crossing is nearby to get to the NYC-bound side.
Ronkonkoma: Little do people realize that Ronkonkoma was just a little no-name station until it was transformed into one of the crown jewels of today’s LIRR in recent years. Originally called the Lakeland Depot in 1883, the station was relocated in 1987 to the current location just south of Exit 60 of the Long Island Expressway (new ramps and an road bridge were built for the purpose of making Ronkonkoma into a huge Park-And-Ride terminal.) Current station has 3 platforms (2 side end platforms and 1 island platform, and 2 tracks) Each platform is labeled A, B, C according to the branch timetable and trains using either track can open doors on both sides. This the last stop on the electrified portion of the main line, which becomes non-electrified from east of Ronkonkoma to Greenport. The station is 100% ADA accessible with an overpass and elevators and the station house is on Platform A, next to some eateries and other stores. In 1996, a new indoor parking lot opened across the street from the station house with a passageway connecting the lot with the RR station overpass. Despite having nearly 2,000 parking spaces, Ronkonkoma station still has a serious parking shortage on weekdays as it is a heavily used station during the AM and PM rush periods. Last May, 2003, in conjunction with an across-the-board fare increase, the MTA attempted to relieve some of the parking problems at the station by combing the fare zone at Ronkonkoma with a higher fare zone at Medford and Yaphank stations (our next stop) in hopes that some people will use these stations instead. South of the station and outdoor street level parking lot is Long Island’s Mac Arthur Airport. At this station, we now have to board a connecting train (usually on the same track and in front of the train you are on, similar to a NJ Transit to SEPTA R7 transfer at Trenton station). The 2 car consist is a dual-mode, bi-level train attached to a diesel train and attachment for storing fuel. It has the capability to travel into Penn Station when used on the Port Jefferson and Montauk branches, although on occasion only.
Greenport Branch
We leave the Ronkonkoma station and see the LIRR yard to the south and east of the station where the electric trains are stored. The line at the point becomes single non-electrified track with the exception of two tracks at Greenport station, although several decades ago, the main line was 2 tracks on most locations. There is a lot of scenery to enjoy as we spend the next hour on this leg. During the trip, we observed deer and other natural wildlife nearby. Except for Greenport (island platform), all active stations mentioned below are 2 car length, hi-level side platforms on the south side of the track. All stations are ADA accessible via. ramps and were renovated in 2000.
Holbrook: Abandoned station just to the east of the LIRR yard.
Holtsville (Waverly): Abandoned station, the original Station name was Waverly in 1843 line opening and was renamed Holtsville in 1860. During the life of the station, there were 3 station houses built, the 2nd depot was burned in 1914 after being open for only 2 years. The 3rd station house on the site was closed in 1958 and demolished a few years later. Despite close proximity to the IRS offices, the station was eventually closed due to low ridership in March, 1998.
Medford: Like Ronkonkoma, this station sits near a roadway overpass and is close proximity to the Long Island Expressway, although it is a much smaller station with limited parking. There is no station house, as it was demolished back in 1958
Yaphank: The platform is on the north side, instead of south with some parking and a small waiting area. Original station name was “Millville” in 1875; the old station house was razed in 1961.
In the course of the trip heading eastbound, we see a second unused track with a de-railer. We also climb a small hill and slowly go over a river bridge as the embankment is higher than most LIRR branch lines. As we pass the next RR grad crossing, the scenery changes to a forest like setting. For the next 20 minutes to Riverhead (our next stop) we are treated to some of the most beautiful scenery the LIRR has to offer.
Manorville: Abandoned station, this was the junction, where some trains branch off and down towards the abandoned Eastport station of the Montauk branch (nearest to Bridgehampton station). This ROW was abandoned in 1949, but passenger service to this station continued until 1968. Original station name was Manor. For further information on the Manorville spur and other abandoned Row’s, please visit the LIRR History page.
Calverton: Original station name was Baiting Hollow in 1880 before it was renamed to current. During the life of the station’s existence, there were 2 stationhouses built, both of which were moved to private property (possibly each house being sold to a private citizen.). The station was closed soon after the second house was removed from the station and ROW.
Riverhead: The old 1910 station house was recently restored and is now a commercial establishment near the current location of the station. To the north side of the station are retired LIRR cars owned by the Railroad Museum of LI. Complete with the classic LIRR’s “Dashing Dan” logo, cars like the first ever double decker aluminum car (see picture) are undergoing restoration from the Museum.
Aquebogue: Abandoned station. The 1910 station house was converted into a shelter shed (waiting area only) and was demolished in 1967.
Jamesport: Abandoned station. The unusual feature of the old station was the station house was acquired as private property (In 1878, a saloon bar was purchased by the LIRR and converted to the station house). The station house suffered the same fate of declining ridership as some other main line stations and was closed in 1958 and razed 5 years later.
Laurel: Abandoned station, it was closed in 1967.
Mattituck: Though the station has 2 tracks, only the south track is used (the platform is on the south side). The north track is not used.
Cutchogue: Abandoned station. The 3rd station house opened in 1888 and closed in 1958. Service to this station was discontinued in 1962.
Peconic: Abandoned station, this station lasted than most stations closed in the 50’s and 60’s, until 1970 when service was discontinued to this station.
Southold: Original 1870 station house was closed in 1958 and demolished 4 years later. There is an additional track to the north of the station that is not in service.
Greenport: This is the last stop of the LIRR’s main line and is a gateway to nearby ferries to Shelter Island just east of the station. The original station house was burned in 1870 during a town festival. A second depot opened soon after and a 3rd station house (built in 1895) sits to the east end of the station. This station house was restored and is now home of the Suffolk Maritime Museum, just to the east of the relocated high level island platform. A bus depot is seen to the south of the station and a freight station is seen to the north and west of the station. In front of the freight house sits “Jaws III” snow plow, at one time the house on the far end was used as a bus deport in the 60’s and 70’s. The ferry to Shelter Island is just behind the Maritime Museum. Another ferry, the Orient Point ferry is a short bus or car ride away on Rt. 25A, further east from the RR station. There were additional unused tracks to the north of the hi-level island platform.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d give this line a solid 4. The station houses between Bethpage and Ronkonkoma (except for Farmingdale) look identical, but the scenery and ride improve east of Ronkonkoma that is well worth your trip to the East End.