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.
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.
We skip Rosedale
(described on the Brooklyn to Far
Rockaway Page and arrive at Valley
Stream, described on the Brooklyn to far Rockaway Branch Page 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 Malverne follows, also with
the east track removed ( paved over.) the platform is on the west
side.
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. 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.. 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.
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