Editing Long Island Rail Road (section)

== History ==
{{Main|History of the Long Island Rail Road}}
[[File:George Bradford Brainerd (American, 1845-1887). Station, Bay Shore, Long Island, September 1879.jpg|thumb|''Station, Bay Shore, Long Island, September 1879.'', a collodion silver glass wet plate negative by George Bradford Brainerd now on display at the [[Brooklyn Museum]]]]
[[File:Long Island Railroad 100th Anniversary cover 1934.jpg|thumb|LIRR (Montauk & NY) [[Railway Post Office|RPO]] cover (TR27) for the railroad's 100th anniversary in April 1934]]
The '''Long Island Rail Road Company''' was chartered in 1834 to provide a daily service between [[New York City]] and [[Boston]] via a ferry connection between its [[Greenport, Suffolk County, New York|Greenport, New York]], terminal on Long Island's North Fork and [[Stonington, Connecticut]]. This service was superseded in 1849 by the land route through Connecticut that became part of the [[New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad]]. The LIRR refocused its attentions towards serving Long Island, in competition with other railroads on the island. In the 1870s, railroad president [[Conrad Poppenhusen]] and his successor, [[Austin Corbin]] acquired all the railroads and consolidated them into the LIRR.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/lirr/Video/175thAnniversary/Reflection.htm|title=MTA LIRR – A Reflection (1984)|work=mta.info|access-date=August 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812212311/http://web.mta.info/lirr/Video/175thAnniversary/Reflection.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

The LIRR was unprofitable for much of its history. In 1900, the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] (PRR) bought a controlling interest as part of its plan for [[New York Tunnel Extension|direct access to Manhattan]] which began on September 8, 1910. The wealthy PRR subsidized the LIRR during the first half of the new century, allowing expansion and modernization.<ref name=LIRR175 /> Electric operation began in 1905.<ref>{{1922 Locomotive Cyclopedia|page=903}}</ref>

After [[World War II]], the railroad industry's downturn and dwindling profits caused the PRR to stop subsidizing the LIRR, and the LIRR went into [[receivership]] in 1949. The [[Government of New York (state)|State of New York]], realizing how important the railroad was to Long Island's future, began to subsidize the railroad in the 1950s and 1960s. In June 1965, the state finalized an agreement to buy the LIRR from the PRR for $65 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/06/03/97204704.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/06/03/97204704.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=State in Accord With the Pennsy on Buying L.I.R.R. – P.R.R. Agrees on Price of $65 Million With New Transportation Agency|date=June 3, 1965|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 31, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The LIRR was placed under the control of a new [[Metropolitan Commuter Transit Authority]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/05/21/97202522.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/05/21/97202522.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Assembly Votes Commuter Board – Bill Creates Transportation Authority for City Area|date=May 21, 1965|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 31, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The MCTA was rebranded the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] in 1968 when it incorporated several other New York City-area transit agencies.<ref name="QnsGazette-QnsPubTrans-51stBDay-2015">{{cite web|last1=Penner|first1=Larry|title=Happy 51st Birthday To Queens Public Transportation|url=http://www.qgazette.com/news/2015-07-15/Front_Page/Happy_51st_Birthday_To_Queens_Public_Transportatio.html|publisher=Queens Gazette|access-date=November 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912111108/http://www.qgazette.com/news/2015-07-15/Front_Page/Happy_51st_Birthday_To_Queens_Public_Transportatio.html|archive-date=September 12, 2015|url-status=dead|date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/03/02/79934932.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/03/02/79934932.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=M.T.A. Takes Over Transit Network – Moses Will Be Kept On as Consultant to Agency|date=March 2, 1968|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> With MTA subsidies the LIRR modernized further, continuing to be the busiest commuter railroad in the United States.<ref name=LIRR175 />

The LIRR is one of the few railroads that have survived as intact companies from their original charters to the present.<ref name=LIRR175 />

=== 21st century expansions ===

==== East Side Access ====
{{Main|East Side Access}}
The East Side Access project built a LIRR spur to Grand Central Terminal that will run in part via the lower level of the existing [[63rd Street Tunnel]].<ref name=":3">[http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_alt.html Project overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908150551/http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_alt.html|date=September 8, 2018}}, MTA, Accessed June 7, 2018</ref> The East Side Access project added a new eight-track terminal called [[Grand Central Madison]] underneath the existing Grand Central Terminal.<ref name=":3" /> The project was first proposed in the 1968 [[Program for Action]], but due to various funding shortfalls, construction did not start until 2007.<ref>{{cite web |last=Neuman |first=William |date=May 11, 2007 |title=Awaiting Rock-Eating Beast, L.I.R.R. Tunnel Is Poised to Finish Trip to Grand Central |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/nyregion/11tunnel.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204182611/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/nyregion/11tunnel.html |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |access-date=February 3, 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> {{As of|April 2018}}, the project was expected to cost $11.1 billion and was tentatively scheduled to start service in December 2022.<ref name="Siff 2018">{{cite web |last=Siff |first=Andrew |date=April 16, 2018 |title=MTA Megaproject to Cost Almost $1B More Than Prior Estimate |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/East-Side-Access-MTA-Project-Cost-Infrastructure-479628223.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024310/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/East-Side-Access-MTA-Project-Cost-Infrastructure-479628223.html |archive-date=April 17, 2018 |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=NBC New York}}</ref><ref name="Castillo 2018">{{cite news |last=Castillo |first=Alfonso A. |date=April 15, 2018 |title=East Side Access price tag now stands at $11.2B |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/east-side-access-tour-1.18020231 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415065109/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/east-side-access-tour-1.18020231 |archive-date=April 15, 2018 |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Newsday}}</ref> It opened on January 25, 2023, with limited shuttle service between Jamaica and Grand Central.<ref>{{cite web |last=Siff |first=Andrew |date=January 23, 2023 |title=NYC's New LIRR Stop at Grand Central Madison Set to Open This Week – What to Know |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-new-lirr-stop-at-grand-central-madison-set-to-open-this-week-what-to-know/4063632/ |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=NBC New York}}</ref> Full service to Grand Central began on February 27, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 9, 2023 |title=MTA announces when full LIRR service will begin at Grand Central Madison |url=https://abc7ny.com/lirr-train-service-grand-central-madison-opens/12788713/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |work=ABC7 New York |language=en}}</ref>

Several "readiness projects" were also completed to increase peak-hour capacity across the LIRR system in preparation for expanded peak-hour service after the completion of East Side Access.<ref name="TimesLedger Readiness">{{Cite web |last1=Anuta |first1=Joe |last2=Newman |first2=Philip |date=June 5, 2013 |title=Queens Tomorrow: LIRR headed to Grand Central |url=https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/22/queenstransit_qt_2013_05_31_q2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525133216/https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/22/queenstransit_qt_2013_05_31_q2.html |archive-date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |website=TimesLedger |publisher=[[TimesLedger Newspapers]]}}</ref><ref name="Jan 2013">{{cite web |date=January 2013 |title=MTA Capital Program Oversight Meeting |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/130128_1330_CPOC.pdf#page=8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025231644/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/130128_1330_CPOC.pdf#page=8 |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |work=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]] |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |page=8}}</ref><ref name="Nov 2017">{{cite web |date=November 2017 |title=MTA Long Island Rail Road Committee Meeting |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/140623_1345_CPOC.pdf#page=35 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205130002/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/140623_1345_CPOC.pdf#page=35 |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |work=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]] |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |page=35}}</ref> The LIRR constructed a new platform for [[Atlantic Terminal]]-bound trains at [[Jamaica station]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulick |first=Beth |date=2014 |title=Jamaica Interlocking Reconfiguration Operations Simulation |url=http://www.apta.com/mc/rail/previous/2014/papers/Papers/Beth%20Kulick%20Reconfiguration.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305225627/http://www.apta.com/mc/rail/previous/2014/papers/papers/beth%20kulick%20reconfiguration.pdf |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=February 5, 2018 |website=apta.com |publisher=TranSystems Corporation}}</ref> converting most [[Atlantic Branch]] service between these two stations into a high-frequency shuttle.<ref name="MTA-LIRR-Hicksville-2016" /> The LIRR also installed a new storage track east of [[Massapequa station|Massapequa]] and extended one east of [[Great Neck station]],<ref name="Nov 2017" /><ref name="Great Neck Record">{{cite web |author=Wendy Karpel Kreitzman |date=November 19, 2010 |title=MTA Announces Second Pocket Track Proposed for LIRR in Great Neck |url=https://antonnews.com/greatneckrecord/news/11688-mta-announces-second-pocket-track-proposed-for-lirr-in-great-neck.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209021339/https://antonnews.com/greatneckrecord/news/11688-mta-announces-second-pocket-track-proposed-for-lirr-in-great-neck.html |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |publisher=Great Neck Record}}</ref> in addition to expanding the train yard at [[Ronkonkoma station|Ronkonkoma]].<ref name="Nov 2017" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=L60601YL Port Washington Yard Reconfiguration |url=http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=l60601yl&PLTYPE=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903211912/http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=l60601yl&PLTYPE=1 |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |access-date=September 3, 2017 |website=web.mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name="schedule">{{cite web |title=Mid-Suffolk Yard Schedule |url=http://web.mta.info/lirr/midsuffolkyard/schedule.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906021615/http://web.mta.info/lirr/midsuffolkyard/schedule.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2015 |work=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref> An expansion of the yard at [[Port Washington station|Port Washington]] was also proposed, but {{As of|September 2022|lc=y}}, the MTA has not come to an agreement with the [[Town of North Hempstead]],<ref name="Nov 2020">{{cite report |url=https://new.mta.info/document/23951 |title=Joint Metro-North and Long Island Committees Meeting |date=November 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013091935/https://new.mta.info/document/23951 |archive-date=October 13, 2021 |url-status=live |website=mta.info}}</ref>{{rp|65}} resulting in the project being postponed indefinitely.<ref name="senate092822">{{cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Anna M. |author-link=Anna Kaplan |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Important LIRR Commuter Update: Express Trains Have Been Saved |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2022/anna-m-kaplan/important-lirr-commuter-update-express-trains-have-been-saved |access-date=October 1, 2022 |website=nysenate.gov}}</ref><ref name="Nov 2021">{{cite report |url=https://new.mta.info/document/64116 |title=Joint Metro-North and Long Island Committees Meeting |date=November 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707000115/https://new.mta.info/document/64116 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |url-status=live |website=mta.info}}</ref>{{rp|61}}

There are also plans to build [[Sunnyside station (New York)|a new station]] in the Queens neighborhood of [[Sunnyside, Queens|Sunnyside]], in between the New York terminals and the [[Woodside station (LIRR)|Woodside]] station, serving as a rail hub for all LIRR branches and potentially some Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains, as well.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2019 |title=Queens Officials Renew Call For Sunnyside LIRR Station |url=https://patch.com/new-york/queens/queens-officials-renew-call-sunnyside-lirr-station |access-date=July 19, 2020 |website=Queens, NY Patch |language=en}}</ref> The Sunnyside station is to be built after the completion of East Side Access, due to current capacity constraints.<ref name=":4" />

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
ESA Progress Photos - Concourse and Terminal - 40254364453.jpg|One of Grand Central Madison's lower-level platforms under construction in January 2019
Massapequa Pocket Track with Third rail.jpg|The new pocket track in Massapequa, located in between the two outer tracks, as viewed from a passing Babylon Branch train
Platform F construction from AirTrain, August 2019.JPG|Construction on Jamaica's new platform in August 2019
</gallery>

==== Main Line projects ====
[[File:WyandanchDoubleTracks2018RRCrossing.jpg|alt=The completed second track, as viewed from the reconstructed Wyandanch station.|thumb|The completed second track, as viewed from the reconstructed Wyandanch station.]]
In 2012, the LIRR started adding a second track along the formerly single-tracked section of the Main Line between [[Farmingdale station|Farmingdale]] and [[Ronkonkoma station]]s to increase track capacity and allow for enhanced service options.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Double Track' Information Center Opens Today at Ronkonkoma Station as Part of LIRR Public Outreach |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/lirr/double-track-information-center-opens-today-ronkonkoma-station-part-lirr-public |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414144631/http://www.mta.info/press-release/lirr/double-track-information-center-opens-today-ronkonkoma-station-part-lirr-public |archive-date=April 14, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2015 |work=mta.info}}</ref> The project was completed in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 21, 2018 |title=news – LIRR Opens Ronkonkoma Branch Double Track |url=http://www.mta.info/news/2018/09/21/lirr-opens-ronkonkoma-branch-double-track |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211559/http://www.mta.info/news/2018/09/21/lirr-opens-ronkonkoma-branch-double-track |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018 |website=MTA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 21, 2018 |title=LIRR Double Track project completed ahead of schedule |url=https://abc7ny.com/4304599/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923005842/https://abc7ny.com/4304599/ |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref>

As part of the preparations for East Side Access's opening,<ref name="MTA 2007 Third Track Presentation">{{cite web |title=Main Line Corridor Improvements Project Presentation |url=http://web.mta.info/lirr/News/2008/MainLineCorridorImprovements.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125170537/http://web.mta.info/lirr/News/2008/MainLineCorridorImprovements.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2016 |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]}}</ref> the LIRR also widened the two-track sections of the Main Line between [[Floral Park station|Floral Park]] and [[Hicksville station]]s to three tracks, in addition to eliminating each of the grade crossings and rebuilding all of the stations along this stretch of the Main Line.<ref name="NYT Fitzsimmons 01.05.2016">{{cite news |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Cuomo Revives Long-Stalled Plan to Add Track to L.I.R.R. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/nyregion/cuomo-revives-long-stalled-plan-to-add-track-to-lirr.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107043947/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/nyregion/cuomo-revives-long-stalled-plan-to-add-track-to-lirr.html |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2016 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=A18}}</ref><ref name="MTA Third Track 01.05.2016">{{cite press release |title=LIRR Main Line Expansion Will Ease Commuting and Attract Businesses and Jobs |date=January 5, 2016 |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |url=http://www.mta.info/news-lirr-long-island-rail-road-hicksville-floral-park/2016/01/05/third-track-wiill-ease-commuting |access-date=January 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119051539/http://www.mta.info/news-lirr-long-island-rail-road-hicksville-floral-park/2016/01/05/third-track-wiill-ease-commuting |archive-date=January 19, 2016}}</ref> Work on the third-track project started in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 5, 2018 |title=LIRR Third Track Project Moving Forward Despite Concerns Of Residents |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/09/05/lirr-third-track-project-concerns/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906121418/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/09/05/lirr-third-track-project-concerns/ |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |access-date=September 6, 2018 |website=CBS New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rivoli |first=Dan |date=September 5, 2018 |title=Cuomo continues infrastructure tour with Long Island Rail Road groundbreaking |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-lirr-third-track-cuomo-20180905-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906120050/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-lirr-third-track-cuomo-20180905-story.html |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |access-date=September 6, 2018 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> The project was completed in 2022, in time for the opening of East Side Access.<ref>{{cite web |last=Duggan |first=Kevin |date=October 3, 2022 |title='Third' time's the charm: MTA finishes $2.5 billion LIRR Third Track project |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-finishes-lirr-third-track/ |access-date=October 15, 2022 |website=amNewYork}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=October 4, 2022 |title=LIRR Completes Third Track Project |url=https://www.railwayage.com/mw/lirr-completes-third-track-project/ |access-date=October 15, 2022 |website=Railway Age}}</ref>

The larger Belmont Park Redevelopment Project called for a new [[Elmont station]] between the [[Queens Village station|Queens Village]] and [[Bellerose station|Bellerose]] stations on the Main Line, to better serve the new [[UBS Arena]] in the Nassau County neighborhood of [[Elmont, New York|Elmont]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Elmont Station |url=https://amodernli.com/project/new-elmont-station/ |access-date=July 19, 2020 |website=A Modern LI |language=en-US}}</ref> It is the first new station built by the LIRR in nearly 50 years; the last new station added was the former [[Southampton College (LIRR station)|Southampton College]] station on the Montauk Branch, which opened in 1976 and closed in 1998, due to low ridership and the high cost of installing [[high-level platform]]s for the then-new C3 railcars.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Construction |first1=M. T. A. |last2=Development |date=May 22, 2020 |title=Construction of First New LIRR Station in a Half Century to Start at Elmont |url=https://www.amodernli.com/construction-of-first-new-lirr-station-in-a-half-century-to-start-at-elmont/ |access-date=July 19, 2020 |website=A Modern LI |language=en-US}}</ref> The eastbound platform of the Elmont station officially opened in November 2021,<ref>{{cite web |date=November 16, 2021 |title=LIRR Elmont station projected to be ready in 2022 |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/lirr-elmont-station-ubs-arena-1.35311878 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=Newsday}}</ref> while the westbound platform opened in October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Long Island Rail Road's Elmont-UBS Arena Station is open for game day transportation |url=https://www.wshu.org/long-island-news/2022-10-07/long-island-rail-roads-elmont-ubs-arena-station-is-open-for-game-day-transportation |access-date=October 15, 2022 |website=WSHU}}</ref>