Ronkonkoma Branch

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Ronkonkoma Branch
(Greenport Branch)
300px
A Penn Station-bound train leaves Deer Park.
Overview
Type Commuter rail
System Long Island Rail Road
Status Operational
Locale Nassau and Suffolk County, New York, USA
Termini Greenport
Ronkonkoma
Farmingdale (Occasional weekdays only; East ends)
Penn Station (West end)
Stations 15
Services Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Operation
Opened 1837-1844
Owner Long Island Rail Road
Operator(s) Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Rolling stock Bombardier M7 (West of Ronkonkoma)
Kawasaki C3, DE30AC (East of Ronkonkoma)
Technical
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Electrification 750 V (DC) Third rail (west of Ronkonkoma)

The Ronkonkoma Branch is a rail service operated by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in the U.S. state of New York. On LIRR maps and printed schedules, the "Ronkonkoma Branch" includes trains running along the railroad's Main Line from Hicksville (where the Port Jefferson Branch leaves the Main Line) to Ronkonkoma, and between Ronkonkoma and the Main Line's eastern's terminus at Greenport.[1][2] The section of the Main Line east of Ronkonkoma is not electrified and is referred to as the Greenport Branch.

The western segment between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma sees 24-hour service to Penn Station in New York City. The eastern segment between Ronkonkoma and Greenport is served by diesel-electric trains (also known as "scoots"), and sees much less service. Weekday service consists of only a handful of trips per day, while weekend service operates only during summer and fall. This segment is also notable for being one of the few dark territory areas of the Long Island Rail Road that does not have signals.

Segments

Electrified portion

File:LIRR EMD DM30AC 515 pushing Train 8054.jpg
Train #8054 at Farmingdale, using diesel locomotives due to construction.

The western segment of the line from Hicksville to Ronkonkoma was electrified in 1987,[3] eliminating diesel service between Ronkonkoma and Hicksville and creating a one-seat ride to Penn Station. Average rush-hour trip time from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station decreased from 97 minutes pre-electrification (including the mandatory transfer from a diesel to an electric train) to 71 minutes afterwards. The $168.5 million project attracted many new passengers: A survey of peak-hour Ronkonkoma Branch passengers conducted by the LIRR in April 1988 found that 42 percent of the branch's passengers were new to the line: 34 percent switched from other lines (the Port Jefferson and Montauk Branches), 6 percent were new to the LIRR as a whole and 2 percent recently returned to the LIRR. By September 1988, over 2,000 new riders during the morning rush hour had switched to the Ronkonkoma branch, much of which occurred in the first month after electrification, faster than the LIRR expected. Commuters complained that the expanded parking facilities at Ronkonkoma built in anticipation of electrification were overcrowded and already inadequate, and that double-parking and vandalism were rampant.[4] In the decades since, the amount of parking at Ronkonkoma has expanded. In the present, diesel locomotives continue to provide all service between Ronkonkoma and Greenport. As electrification occurred in the 1980s, the MTA also planned to double-track the line between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, however, this was deferred due to lack of funds.

Greenport Branch

The 46 miles between Ronkonkoma and Greenport is one of the few dark territory areas on the Long Island Rail Road that does not have signals. The relatively small amount of train movements on this segment are governed by train orders and timetable authority. This segment is served by diesel-electric "scoots", all but one of which terminate at Ronkonkoma, requiring customers traveling west of Ronkonkoma to transfer there. Two eastbound and three westbound scoots travel each weekday between Ronkonkoma and Greenport. Also, one eastbound and two westbound trains each weekday run between Ronkonkoma and Riverhead, and one eastbound each weekday runs as far as Yaphank. In addition, one eastbound train, nicknamed the "Jury Duty Special", runs between Deer Park and Riverhead in the morning, intended for use by Suffolk County jurors.[5] This train is unique among the scoots in that it has no connection from Nassau County and New York City; only passengers in Suffolk County can access this train. This is because capacity constraints on the Main Line preclude eastbound reverse-peak service. The "Jury Duty Special" is also the only scoot that serves stations west of Ronkonkoma. The Greenport Branch has seasonal weekend service from early May to late November, consisting of two round-trips each day between Ronkonkoma and Greenport.

The LIRR has tried to discontinue service east of Ronkonkoma on several occasions, citing minimal service due to low ridership. In 2010, the idea was entertained by the financially troubled MTA, who proposed eliminating all scoot service except for the popular summer weekend service.[6] Ultimately, weekday service remained, but weekend service outside of the summer (defined as Memorial Day-Columbus Day) was discontinued. In 2013, the span of weekend service was extended to operate from early May to late November.

Despite proposing to eliminate most service east of Ronkonkoma, the MTA desires to enhance the segment's infrastructure. The MTA budgeted $29 million in 2015 to add signals along the 10 mile segment from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank. This upgrade will install signals, track circuits and automatic speed control (ASC).[7] In its 20-Year Capital Needs Assessment, the MTA describes extending electrification eastward from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank or Riverhead, as well as the addition of a second-track between Ronkonkoma and Yaphank as long-term needs.[8] However, the MTA cites the high cost of electrification and other components as a barrier to present-day action.[9] If electrification were to be extended eastward, stations would also need upgrading as all station platforms east of Ronkonkoma are only long enough to fit one train car.

Central Branch

Some LIRR maps also include as part of the Ronkonkoma Branch the non-electrified Central Branch, which splits from the Ronkonkoma Branch east of Bethpage and connects with the more southern Montauk Branch, just west of Babylon. There are no stations along this stretch, and it is mainly used by trains with diesel-electric engines going express from Jamaica to Babylon. No trains using this track appear on Ronkonkoma Branch schedules; they appear on Montauk Branch and Babylon Branch schedules, and some appear on schedules for Mineola and Hicksville on the Main Line, if a stop is scheduled there.

Projects

Second track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma

In 2012, the MTA approved a project to build a second track between Ronkonkoma and Farmingdale, a well anticipated event since the electrification of the rail line in the 1980s.[10] Currently, the only areas east of Farmingdale with two tracks are between Deer Park and Brentwood stations (including those stations), at Central Islip station, and finally at Ronkonkoma itself. This construction will take place on land already owned by the LIRR (acquired during the 1980s electrification of this segment) so no land acquisition is required. It will include upgrades to switches, grade crossings, and station facilities.[10] The project will be done in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Constructing the second electrified track to the North of the current one along the 4-mile stretch from Ronkonkoma to Central Islip, followed by a continuation of it with the track being constructed South of the current one in between Central Islip and Brentwood. This is currently underway and should be completed by mid to late 2016.[11][12]
  • Phase 2: Construction of the second electrified track will continue with the new track being laid down South of the current one from West of Deer Park through Wyandanch, past Pinelawn station to the East end of FARM Interlocking at Republic. Phase 2 will commence once Phase 1 is completed and should be completed by late 2018 to 2019. Additional construction includes rehabilitation of grade crossings, demolition of pedestrian bridges, and a second platform at Wyandanch (the station currently has only one track and platform).[11][13]

The benefits of the project include increased operational flexibility, increased reverse-peak service between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, and increased off-peak service between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma - operating half-hourly instead of just hourly - as well as increased resilience for the system, as this additional capacity will allow the Main Line to better serve as a substitute for South Shore lines in case of a disturbance caused by extreme weather.[10]

Mid-Suffolk Yard

In 2015, the MTA conducted environmental studies to expand the existing rail yard in Ronkonkoma. This expansion, called the Mid-Suffolk Yard, will add 11 new tracks, increasing the number of total tracks from 12 at present to 23.[14] The expansion will use space already owned by the MTA located immediately to the south of the existing rail yard and north of MacArthur Airport. The increase in storage space will allow the MTA to increase peak-hour service once East Side Access is complete and service to Grand Central begins. The project is budgeted for $76.6 million, and the MTA expects to finish construction by late 2018.[15] Other locations along the line considered for a new electric yard but rejected include Deer Park, Central Islip, and Yaphank. Reasons given include the cost of land acquisition, the fact that the Deer Park option would impact several grade crossings, duplicate employee facilities and would not benefit customers east of Deer Park, the fact that the proposed Central Islip site (Connetquot River State Park) is State parkland, and the high cost of electrification and station upgrades between Ronkonkoma and Yaphank.[16]

Possible reopening of Republic Station

The MTA has expressed interest in reopening Republic station, located between Farmingdale and Pinelawn, which closed in 1987 as part of electrification between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma. The reopened station would serve the Route 110 corridor, a major north-south commercial route.[17] The station was deferred from the MTA's 2010-2014 budget due to budgetary issues, but revived in 2012.[18][19] The MTA budgeted $5 million in 2015 to design a new station and carry out environmental studies, although construction itself has not been funded yet.[20][21] The rebuilt station will have two new 12-car platforms, and ADA-compliant ramps.

Signalling between Ronkonkoma and Yaphank

The 46 miles between Ronkonkoma and Greenport is one of the few dark territory areas on the Long Island Rail Road that does not have signals. The MTA budgeted $29 million in 2015 to add signals along the 10-mile segment from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank. This upgrade will install signals, track circuits, and automatic speed control (ASC).[22]


Stations

Zone Station name Miles (km)
from NYP[23]		 Date
opened		 Date
closed		 Connections / Notes
1 For continuing service west of Jamaica, see City Terminal Zone
3 Jamaica Handicapped/disabled access 10.8 (17.4) 1836 BSicon BAHN.svg LIRR; Atlantic, Belmont Park, Far Rockaway, Hempstead, Long Beach,
Montauk, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, and West Hempstead Branches
BSicon SUBWAY.svg NYC Subway: NYCS-bull-trans-E.svg NYCS-bull-trans-J.svg NYCS-bull-trans-Z.svg (at Sutphin Boulevard – Archer Avenue – JFK Airport)
Bus transport NYCT Bus: Q20A, Q20B, Q24, Q30, Q31, Q43, Q44 SBS, Q54, Q56
Bus transport MTA Bus: Q6, Q8, Q9, Q25, Q34, Q40, Q41, Q60, Q65
Bus transport NICE Bus: n4
BSicon TRAM.svg AirTrain JFK: Jamaica Station Route
Queens / Nassau county line
4 Mineola Handicapped/disabled access 20.3 (32.3) 1837 BSicon BAHN.svg LIRR: Montauk, Port Jefferson, Oyster Bay, and Ronkonkoma Branches
Bus transport NICE Bus: n22, n22X, n23, n24, n40, n41
Originally Hempstead, then Branch or Hempstead Branch
7 Hicksville Handicapped/disabled access 26.6 (42.8) 1837[24] BSicon BAHN.svg LIRR: Port Jefferson and Montauk Branches
Bus transport NICE Bus: n20H, n22, n22X, n48, n49, n78, n79
Port Jefferson Branch diverges
Grumman 28.5 (45.9) 1942 1985
Bethpage Handicapped/disabled access 29.7 (47.8) c. 1854[25] Originally Jerusalem, then Central Park
Bethpage Junction 1873
Central Branch diverges
Farmingdale Handicapped/disabled access 32.0 (51.5) 1841[26][27] Bus transport NICE Bus: n70, n72
Nassau / Suffolk county line
9
Republic 33.0 (53.1) 1940 1987
Pinelawn Handicapped/disabled access 34.2 (55.0) c. 1890 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S31
Originally Melville
Wyandanch Handicapped/disabled access 36.5 (58.7) 1875 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: 2A, 2B, S23, S33
Originally West Deer Park, then Wyandance
Edgewood 1892 1914
Deer Park Handicapped/disabled access 40.2 (64.9) 1842[28][29] Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S27
Bus transport Tanger Shuttle Bus
Pilgrim State Hospital 1978
Thompson 42.2 (67.9) 1842[30] 1869
Pineaire 1915 1986
10 Brentwood Handicapped/disabled access 42.9 (69.0) 1870 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: 3A, 3B, 3D, S27, S41, S45
Originally Modern Times
Suffolk 44.7 (71.9) 1842[31] 1873
Central Islip Handicapped/disabled access 45.4 (73.1) 1873 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: 3C, 3D, S42, S45
Central Islip State Hospital
Nichols Road
Lakeland
 50.2 (80.8) 1843 1883 Originally Lake Road
Ronkonkoma Handicapped/disabled access 50.3 (81.0) 1883 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: 6A, 7A, S57, S59
Eastern end of electrified service; originally Lake Ronkonkoma
Hermanville 50.6 (81.4) 1850
Holbrook 51.6 (83.0) 1907 1962[32]
Holtsville 54.2 (87.2) 1843 1998 Originally Waverly[33]
Medford Handicapped/disabled access
(limited service)		 55.9 (89.0) 1844[34] Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S61
Bartlett's 58.7 (94.5) 1844 Originally Bellport
Fire Place 1844[34] 1845
12 Yaphank Handicapped/disabled access
(limited service)		 60.4 (97.2) 1844 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S71
Originally Milleville
Carman's River 1844[34] 1845
Upton Road[35] 1918 1922
Camp Upton[35] 1917 1922
Wampmissic 65.1 (104.6) c. 1847–1848
Manorville 67.0 (107.8) 1844 c. 1968 Originally St. George's Manor, then Manor
Former Manorville Branch diverged
Calverton 71.1 (114.4) 1852
1880		 1858
c. 1958		 Originally Hulse Turnout, then Baiting Hollow
14 Riverhead Handicapped/disabled access
(limited service)		 75.1 (120.9) 1844 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: 8A, S58, S62, S66, S90, S92
Aquebogue 1892 1967
Jamesport 80.2 (129.1) 1844 1985
Laurel 81.7 (131.5) 1901 1967
Mattituck Handicapped/disabled access
(limited service)		 84.2 (135.5) 1845 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S92
Cutchogue 87.2 (140.3) 1844 1962
Peconic 90.2 (145.2) 1844 c. 1970 Originally Hermitage
Southold Handicapped/disabled access
(limited service)		 91.9 (147.9) 1844 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S92
Greenport Handicapped/disabled access
(limited service)		 96.1 (154.7) 1844 Bus transport Suffolk County Transit: S92
BSicon BOOT.svg North Ferry to Shelter Island Heights

References

  1. ↑ MTA LIRR - LIRR Map accessed 2011-05-06
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ http://web.mta.info/lirr/Travel/JurySpecial/
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Station pages linked from LIRR Stations
  24. ↑ Brooklyn Advocate, Long Island Rail Road, February 1837
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. This is the very first edition of the paper. (Whether "late Bethpage" is meant to indicate 1> a flag stop at the community near Merritts Road, or 2> that the area near the Farmingdale LIRR station had lately been called Bethpage, or 3> that the Merrits Road community had been a temporary stop until the Farmingdale station was completed has not yet been determined.)
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Holbrook Station @ Ronkonkoma MP 49-50; October 1957(TrainsAreFun.com)
  33. ↑ May 13, 1912, Photo @ Ron Zeil collection (Unofficial LIRR History Website)
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 November 18, 1919 Long Island Rail Road Timetable
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