Many thanks to author and photographer Joe Greenstein for his spread in February, 2006, Trains on the Long Island Rail Road. Excellent article, excellent photos. Well done. More comments later.
Agreed!
I have sometimes thought about living at the far east end of the LIRR or far north end of Metro North service areas so I could have the “country” feel for a residence and the convenience of being able to commute into NYC, but the REALLY early (i.e. 5 a.m.) train times that would require sobered me up fast.
On another subject related to the Feb. 2006 Trains mag. I would have loved to have seen a related article on the U.P.R.R. motiver power and rolling stock collection, and perhaps Trains mag. will do just such an article some day.
Have to agree, Very good articles, Long Island RR, and UP RR museum’s collection. It is rewarding to know, in this day and time a corporation, has a vision of the future while well versed in its past. The Long Island Railroad is a serious operation in a confined area that effects millions, daily, pretty amazing stuff.
…Have not read the LIRR article in the Feb TRAINS yet but sure do intend to…I rode that line from Penn Station {while it was still like a cathedral}, out to Patchogue, L I…back in 1942…and remember it well, including changing trains…across platforms.
When you all read the LIRR article, I suggest you stop for a moment and absorb the HUGE numbers the article quotes…AWESOME!
Recently, New York state voters approved money to complete the tunnel to bring LIRR to GCT. What a pity, the rail connection from JFK-airport has been this fancy automated train instead of a LIRR line. Thus, there would be a seamless connection from JFK into GCT and Penn Station. Short-sighted planning by government.
The map on page 49 shows Speonk about nine or ten miles east of its true location. I note that Speonk has six morning peak departures, with the sole through train leaving at 6:21 a.m., arriving Penn Station 8:23, usually eight cars with a DM at each end. This two-hour ride is in contrast to the hour, six minute carding of the fastest train from well-patronized Ronkonkoma on the Main Line.