Long Island Rail Road

Long Island Rail Road. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, operating over 700 miles of track across Long Island and into Manhattan. Owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and operating as part of the MTA Long Island Rail Road subsidiary, its primary hub is the expansive Jamaica Station in Queens, where most branch lines converge. The system provides critical transportation for hundreds of thousands of daily riders traveling to Pennsylvania Station, Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, and other key destinations.

History

The railroad's origins date to 1834, with its charter aimed at creating a through-route between New York City and Boston via a ferry connection to Stonington, Connecticut. This plan was rendered obsolete by the direct shore line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Subsequently, the railroad focused on developing Long Island, profoundly shaping the growth of Nassau County and Suffolk County. It came under the control of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the early 20th century, which built the East River Tunnels and the seminal Sunnyside Yard. After a period under the Penn Central Transportation Company, it was acquired by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1966, averting potential abandonment. Major modern projects include the completion of the Ronkonkoma Branch double-tracking and the landmark opening of Grand Central Madison in 2023.

Operations

The system operates 11 main branches, including the Port Washington Branch, Montauk Branch, and Babylon Branch. Its central nerve center is Jamaica Station, where trains from nearly all branches interchange. Primary terminals are Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan, Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, and the new Grand Central Madison beneath Grand Central Terminal. Service is categorized into peak and off-peak schedules, with Electric multiple units dominating west of Ronkonkoma and Diesel multiple units serving eastern lines. The railroad also operates special trains for events at UBS Arena and Belmont Park.

Rolling stock

The current fleet primarily consists of MTA-standard Electric multiple units, including the M7 and the newer M9 models operating on electrified routes. Diesel service on eastern branches utilizes the DE30AC and DM30AC locomotive-hauled coaches, along with C3 bilevel Diesel multiple units. Work equipment and historic rolling stock are maintained at the Hillside Maintenance Facility. The distinctive MP15AC locomotives are used for work trains and yard switching duties across the system.

Infrastructure

The core infrastructure includes the Main Line from Pennsylvania Station through Queens to Greenport. Critical junctions are at Jamaica Station, Harold Interlocking (the busiest in the nation), and Farmingdale. The system relies on the East River Tunnels and the new East Side Access tunnels to reach Manhattan. Major yards and maintenance facilities are located at Sunnyside Yard, Hillside Maintenance Facility, and Morris Park Facility. Electrification is via Third rail at 750 volts DC, ending at Ronkonkoma on the Main Line and Babylon on the South Shore.

Future projects

The landmark East Side Access project, culminating in Grand Central Madison, represents the largest expansion in decades. Ongoing efforts focus on modernizing signals and expanding electrification, with studies for potential extension to Port Jefferson and Riverhead. The Penn Station Access project will bring service to Co-op City and other parts of the Bronx. Other initiatives include station upgrades across Nassau County and Suffolk County, and the replacement of aging Diesel multiple unit fleets to improve service on eastern branches.

Category:Commuter rail in the United States Category:Railway companies established in 1834 Category:Transportation in New York City Category:Long Island