West Hempstead Branch
Encyclopedia
The West Hempstead Branch is an electrified rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road
(LIRR) in the U.S. state
of New York
.
The branch separates from the Main Line just east of Jamaica Station, and runs southeastward to West Hempstead
. The line has one track between Westwood
station and Hempstead Gardens
and two from there to the end of the line in West Hempstead, the southbound or east track being a siding.
Since Valley Stream
only has platforms on the Atlantic Branch, which parallels the Montauk Branch
to the south, most West Hempstead Branch trains that serve Valley Stream are shuttles that terminate there.
As the smallest LIRR commuter branch, West Hempstead was one of the last in the system to modernize. It was the last of the electrified LIRR branches to receive high level platforms, in the early 1970s, and the last of the electrified branches to be fitted with Automatic Train Control
(known as Automatic Speed Control by the LIRR), which it received in October 2009 during a system overhaul and upgrade at Valley Interlocking. Nevertheless, the branch is one of the most vulnerable lines and has been threatened with abandonment in recent years. In September 2010, the line lost weekend service, except for St. Albans
, which is served by trains on the Babylon Branch on weekends. (No trains stop at both St. Albans and Valley Stream.)
, which ran a similar route north from Valley Stream to Hempstead
, before being torn up in the 1880’s. Built in 1893 by the New York Bay Extension Railroad Co. and merged with the LIRR in 1902, the West Hempstead Branch originally extended beyond its current terminus and through Hempstead. It connected with the current day Hempstead Branch
at Country Life Press
. From the Country Life Press station, the line had several routings it could take. It could loop west and continue down the Hempstead Branch to Jamaica. Through an elaborate wye system, trains could also loop east and continue down the Central Branch
to Babylon
(the split between the Hempstead and Central Branches occur just west of Country Life Press). Trains could also head north on the wye and continue all the way north to Mineola
and connect with either the Main Line and Oyster Bay Branches.
On October 19, 1926, the entire line was elecrified. The connection to the Oyster Bay Branch
was severed in 1928, while the portions of the line between Mineola and Country Life Press and between Country Life Press and West Hempstead were taken out of revenue passenger service in the late 1930’s due to the costly grade crossing elimination improvements imposed upon the LIRR by the Interstate Commerce Commission
. Freight trains and non-revenue rerouting trains continued down these portions until the late 1960’s when they were finally torn up. The rights-of-way, however, remain intact.
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
(LIRR) in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
The branch separates from the Main Line just east of Jamaica Station, and runs southeastward to West Hempstead
West Hempstead (LIRR station)
West Hempstead is the terminal station at the east end of the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead Branch serving West Hempstead, New York, United States. It is located at Hempstead Avenue and Hempstead Gardens Drive....
. The line has one track between Westwood
Westwood (LIRR station)
Westwood is a station on the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead Branch serving the villages of Malverne, Lynbrook, and Valley Stream, New York. The station platform is located on Foster Avenue in Malverne, New York, with parking facilities on both the Malverne and Lynbrook sides of the tracks...
station and Hempstead Gardens
Hempstead Gardens (LIRR station)
Hempstead Gardens is a station along the West Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It is located on Hempstead Gardens Drive and Chestnut Street and is one of two stations in West Hempstead, New York. It is also one of the few stations on the LIRR, outside of New York City, with no parking...
and two from there to the end of the line in West Hempstead, the southbound or east track being a siding.
Since Valley Stream
Valley Stream (LIRR station)
Valley Stream is a station on the Long Island Rail Road's Atlantic Branch serving the residents of Valley Stream, and is the first station in Nassau County. The station is located at Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway, west of Rockaway Avenue, and is 17.7 miles from Penn Station in Midtown...
only has platforms on the Atlantic Branch, which parallels the Montauk Branch
Montauk Branch
The Montauk Branch is a rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch runs the length of Long Island, 115 miles from Long Island City on the west to Montauk on the east...
to the south, most West Hempstead Branch trains that serve Valley Stream are shuttles that terminate there.
As the smallest LIRR commuter branch, West Hempstead was one of the last in the system to modernize. It was the last of the electrified LIRR branches to receive high level platforms, in the early 1970s, and the last of the electrified branches to be fitted with Automatic Train Control
Automatic Train Control
Automatic Train Control is a train protection system for railways, ensuring the safe and smooth operation of trains on ATC-enabled lines. Its main advantages include making possible the use of cab signalling instead of track-side signals and the use of smooth deceleration patterns in lieu of the...
(known as Automatic Speed Control by the LIRR), which it received in October 2009 during a system overhaul and upgrade at Valley Interlocking. Nevertheless, the branch is one of the most vulnerable lines and has been threatened with abandonment in recent years. In September 2010, the line lost weekend service, except for St. Albans
St. Albans (LIRR station)
Saint Albans is a station on the Long Island Rail Road located in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens in New York City. Located at Linden Boulevard and Montauk Place , the station has an island platform between the two tracks. Listed as a West Hempstead Branch station, it is mostly served by...
, which is served by trains on the Babylon Branch on weekends. (No trains stop at both St. Albans and Valley Stream.)
History
The West Hempstead Branch was the indirect successor to the old South Side Railroad’s Southern Hempstead BranchSouthern Hempstead Branch
The Southern Hempstead Branch was a branch of the Long Island Rail Road from Valley Stream to Hempstead. It was established in 1870 and abandoned in May 1879, and is not the same route as the current West Hempstead Branch....
, which ran a similar route north from Valley Stream to Hempstead
Hempstead
Hempstead may refer to:PlacesIn England:*Hempstead, Essex*Hempstead, Kent*Hempstead, near Holt, Norfolk*Hempstead, near Stalham, Norfolk*Hemel Hempstead, HertfordshireIn the United States:*Hempstead County, Arkansas...
, before being torn up in the 1880’s. Built in 1893 by the New York Bay Extension Railroad Co. and merged with the LIRR in 1902, the West Hempstead Branch originally extended beyond its current terminus and through Hempstead. It connected with the current day Hempstead Branch
Hempstead Branch
The Hempstead Branch is an electrified rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch begins at the Main Line at Queens Interlocking, just east of Queens Village station...
at Country Life Press
Country Life Press (LIRR station)
Country Life Press is one of five stations of the Long Island Rail Road in the village of Garden City, New York. It serves the Hempstead Branch and is located on Damson Street and St. James Street South in Garden City....
. From the Country Life Press station, the line had several routings it could take. It could loop west and continue down the Hempstead Branch to Jamaica. Through an elaborate wye system, trains could also loop east and continue down the Central Branch
Central Branch (Long Island Rail Road)
The Central Branch is a rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York, extending from just east of Bethpage to just west of Babylon. It was built in 1873 as part of the Babylon Extension of the Central Railroad of Long Island , which was owned by...
to Babylon
Babylon (LIRR station)
Babylon is a station on the Long Island Rail Road in the village of Babylon, New York at Railroad Avenue west of Deer Park Avenue. It is on the Montauk Branch, and is the eastern terminus of the Babylon Branch service...
(the split between the Hempstead and Central Branches occur just west of Country Life Press). Trains could also head north on the wye and continue all the way north to Mineola
Mineola (LIRR station)
Mineola is a train station on the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road in the village of Mineola, New York. All trains for the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, and Oyster Bay branches run through this station, as well as a few for the Montauk Branch. As of May 2011, 145 trains stop at this station...
and connect with either the Main Line and Oyster Bay Branches.
On October 19, 1926, the entire line was elecrified. The connection to the Oyster Bay Branch
Oyster Bay Branch
The Oyster Bay Branch is a rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch splits from the Main Line just east of Mineola station, and runs north and east to Oyster Bay.-History:...
was severed in 1928, while the portions of the line between Mineola and Country Life Press and between Country Life Press and West Hempstead were taken out of revenue passenger service in the late 1930’s due to the costly grade crossing elimination improvements imposed upon the LIRR by the Interstate Commerce Commission
Interstate Commerce Commission
The Interstate Commerce Commission was a regulatory body in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads to ensure fair rates, to eliminate rate discrimination, and to regulate other aspects of common carriers, including...
. Freight trains and non-revenue rerouting trains continued down these portions until the late 1960’s when they were finally torn up. The rights-of-way, however, remain intact.
Stations
| Station/ location |
Station link |
Miles to Penn Station Pennsylvania Station (New York City) Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also... |
Connections/notes | |
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| For continuing service to points west, see City Terminal Zone City Terminal Zone The City Terminal Zone is the name given to a collection of rail lines of the Long Island Rail Road in New York City. Specifically, it refers to all stations that lie in fare zone 1 , which is the set of stations west of Jamaica.-Stations:- Routes : There are three routes that are considered part... |
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| Jamaica Jamaica (LIRR station) Jamaica is a major hub station of the Long Island Rail Road, and is located in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. It is the largest transit hub on Long Island and is one of the busiest railroad stations in the country with over 200,000 daily passengers... Sutphin Boulevard between Archer Avenue & 94th Avenue, Jamaica Jamaica, Queens Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp. Under British rule, the Village of Jamaica became the center of the "Town of Jamaica"... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/jamaicaf.htm http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/jamaican.htm |
11.2 | Subway New York City Subway The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit... : trains at Sutphin Boulevard – Archer Avenue – JFK Airport Bus New York City Transit buses New York City Transit buses, marked on the buses MTA New York City Bus, is a bus service that operates in all five boroughs of New York City, employing over 4300 buses on 219 routes within the five boroughs of New York City in the United States... : Q6, Q8, Q9, Q20A, Q20B, Q24, Q25, Q30, Q31, Q34, Q40, Q41, Q43, Q44, Q60, Q65 AirTrain JFK AirTrain JFK AirTrain JFK is a 3-line, -long people mover system and elevated railway in New York City providing service to John F. Kennedy International Airport... |
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| Saint Albans St. Albans (LIRR station) Saint Albans is a station on the Long Island Rail Road located in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens in New York City. Located at Linden Boulevard and Montauk Place , the station has an island platform between the two tracks. Listed as a West Hempstead Branch station, it is mostly served by... Linden Boulevard and Montauk Street, Saint Albans |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/stalbans.htm | 14.0 | New York City Bus New York City Transit buses New York City Transit buses, marked on the buses MTA New York City Bus, is a bus service that operates in all five boroughs of New York City, employing over 4300 buses on 219 routes within the five boroughs of New York City in the United States... : Q4 |
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| New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... / Nassau County Nassau County, New York Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532... border |
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| Valley Stream Valley Stream (LIRR station) Valley Stream is a station on the Long Island Rail Road's Atlantic Branch serving the residents of Valley Stream, and is the first station in Nassau County. The station is located at Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway, west of Rockaway Avenue, and is 17.7 miles from Penn Station in Midtown... Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway, Valley Stream Valley Stream, New York Valley Stream is a village in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population in the village of Valley Stream was 37,511 at the 2010 census... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/valleyst.htm | 18.3 | LIRR Long Island Rail Road The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US... : Far Rockaway Far Rockaway Branch The Far Rockaway Branch is an electrified rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch begins at Valley Interlocking, just east of Valley Stream station; the Long Beach Branch also begins there, heading east and south to Long Beach,... and Long Beach Branch Long Beach Branch The Long Beach Branch is an electrified rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch begins at Valley Interlocking, at Valley Stream station, where the Atlantic Branch tracks from the west are redesignated Long Beach Branch and the... trains Long Island Bus: N2 |
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| Westwood Westwood (LIRR station) Westwood is a station on the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead Branch serving the villages of Malverne, Lynbrook, and Valley Stream, New York. The station platform is located on Foster Avenue in Malverne, New York, with parking facilities on both the Malverne and Lynbrook sides of the tracks... Foster Avenue and Motley Street, Malverne Malverne, New York Malverne is a village in the town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 8,514 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.-History:... /Lynbrook Lynbrook, New York Lynbrook is a village in Nassau County, New York, USA. The population was 19,427 at the 2010 census. The Village of Lynbrook is inside the Town of Hempstead. The Village of Lynbrook's current mayor is William Hendrick.... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/westwood.htm | 19.7 | Built in 1929, converted into an open covered shelter in 1955. | |
| Malverne Malverne (LIRR station) Malverne is a historic railroad station along the West Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It is officially located at Hempstead Avenue and Utterby Road, in Malverne, New York, and is also parallel to Church Street near Malverne Village Hall... Hempstead Avenue and Utterby Road, Malverne Malverne, New York Malverne is a village in the town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 8,514 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.-History:... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/malverne.htm | 20.5 | Long Island Bus: N31, N32 | |
| Lakeview Lakeview (LIRR station) Lakeview is a station along the West Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It is located at Eagle Avenue & Woodfield Road in Lakeview, New York, and exists as little more than a high-level sheltered platform... Woodfield Road and Eagle Avenue, Lakeview Lakeview, New York Lakeview is a census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 5,615 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lakeview is located at , west of Hempstead Lake State Park.... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/lakeview.htm | 21.7 | Long Island Bus: N15 | |
| Hempstead Gardens Hempstead Gardens (LIRR station) Hempstead Gardens is a station along the West Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It is located on Hempstead Gardens Drive and Chestnut Street and is one of two stations in West Hempstead, New York. It is also one of the few stations on the LIRR, outside of New York City, with no parking... Hempstead Gardens Drive and Chestnut Street, West Hempstead West Hempstead, New York Not to be confused with West Hampstead, London.West Hempstead is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 18,862 at the 2010 census... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/hgardens.htm | 22.4 | Long Island Bus: N15 | |
| West Hempstead West Hempstead (LIRR station) West Hempstead is the terminal station at the east end of the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead Branch serving West Hempstead, New York, United States. It is located at Hempstead Avenue and Hempstead Gardens Drive.... Hempstead Avenue and Hempstead Gardens Drive, West Hempstead West Hempstead, New York Not to be confused with West Hampstead, London.West Hempstead is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 18,862 at the 2010 census... |
http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/westhemp.htm | 23.0 | Long Island Bus: N15, N31, N32 | |
| The following stations were on the former connection between West Hempstead and Oyster Bay Branch Oyster Bay Branch The Oyster Bay Branch is a rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch splits from the Main Line just east of Mineola station, and runs north and east to Oyster Bay.-History:... which was abandoned in 1966 |
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| Country Life Press Country Life Press (LIRR station) Country Life Press is one of five stations of the Long Island Rail Road in the village of Garden City, New York. It serves the Hempstead Branch and is located on Damson Street and St. James Street South in Garden City.... St. James Street South, Garden City Garden City, New York Garden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of... |
Currently served by the Hempstead Branch Hempstead Branch The Hempstead Branch is an electrified rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch begins at the Main Line at Queens Interlocking, just east of Queens Village station... |
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| Stewart Avenue Between eastbound and westbound Stewart Avenue, Garden City Garden City, New York Garden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of... |
Replaced Hempstead Crossing; 1923, closed May 19, 1926 | |||
| Hempstead Crossing North side of westbound Stewart Avenue, Garden City Garden City, New York Garden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of... |
opened 1894, closed 1923 | |||
| Mineola Mineola (LIRR station) Mineola is a train station on the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road in the village of Mineola, New York. All trains for the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, and Oyster Bay branches run through this station, as well as a few for the Montauk Branch. As of May 2011, 145 trains stop at this station... Front Street & Mineola Boulevard, Mineola Mineola, New York Mineola is a village in Nassau County, New York, USA. The population was 18,799 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a Native American word meaning a "pleasant place".... |
Connected through a wye until 1928. Currently serves Main Line Main Line (Long Island Rail Road) 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 in Long Island City and runs along the middle of Long Island about 95 miles to Greenport... and Oyster Bay Branch Oyster Bay Branch The Oyster Bay Branch is a rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch splits from the Main Line just east of Mineola station, and runs north and east to Oyster Bay.-History:... trains |
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