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By Peggy Darlington
For this site North refers to trains to West Hempstead and South refers to trains to Jamaica.
West Hempstead branch trains originate from Brooklyn or from Valley Stream. Those that originate from Brooklyn use the same tracks as the Babylon branch trains use after leaving Jamaica.
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St. Albans |
Leaving Jamaica , described on our
East River to Jamaica Page we come
to St. Albans At Linden Boulevard, this island
platform station has recently been rebuilt. The platform has been
lengthened to accommodate at least six cars. A new exit has been
constructed at the south end, and the
north exit has been completely redone. New antique-style "cup" twin
lamps have been fitted.
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Springfield Gardens |
Springfield Gardens is next. This station was formerly
located just south of Springfield Boulevard. It had an island
platform and a traditional style canopy. The only traces of the
station are two bricked-up
staircases (filled in); and the station's location can be determined
where
the two tracks bow out around the missing platform.
Springfield Gardens was on an embankment above the street (like St
Albans)- therefore technically 'elevated'. It had an island platform
that was
level with electric cars' doors. There was a canopy over part
of the platform, similar in design to those found at Rosedale and
Laurelton.
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Rosedale |
The next stop is Rosedale, a duplicate of the Laurelton station. There is no access from the Montauk branch, the platform splits the two southernmost tracks only.
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Valley Stream |
The line continues on to Valley Stream. A full set of switches is located west of the station, allowing access from the Montauk to Atlantic branches as well as "reverse platforming" at Valley Stream station. Long Beach branch trains are allowed to continue into the station at regular speed while Far Rockaway trains are given a slow approach which they follow until they are in the station. Valley Stream station is a center 8 car platform, similar to Laurelton and Rosedale except the ticket office is at street level. Again, their is no access to the Montauk branch tracks. VALLEY Tower is located about 100 yards east of the station.
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Westwood |
our line becomes a single track and we enter Westwood with the platform on the east side complete with an old stationhouse serving the removed East track and located North of the current station.. This station is at grade.
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Malverne |
Malverne follows, also with the east track removed ( paved over.) the platform is on the west side.
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Lakeview |
Lakeview has the platform on the east side and is a nice station. The old west track is paved over, the line is using the east track here.
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Hempstead Gardens |
Hempstead Gardens also has the platform on the west side. the old east track is present at the North end and removed at the south end.. Where present it does have a third rail. Further south there is a third track to the east of the eastbound track- complete with third rail..
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West Hempstead |
This center track merges with both outside tracks via hand switches and we enter the last station, West Hempstead with an island platform and two tracks. North of the current station is the old low island platform.
This line rates 2 stars and is a bittersweet line reminiscent of the LIRR's glory days
. It serves as a reminder of how much ahs been lost. The only interesting section is from Jamaica to the split from, the Far Rockaway Line and the graceful sweeping curve from valley Stream. if the second track were to be restored, the line would rate higher.
Home>Commuter Rail>LIRR>West hempstead Branch
Last revised 2/22/09