Archive: LIRR third track suggested in 1949
An article that ran on Jan. 7, 1949. It is the first mention of third track in Newsday's archive. Credit: Newsday Archive
"First class rates should only be granted to first class railroads." -- Nassau County Transit Commission.
That was written in January 1949, when the commission identified seven Long Island Rail Road sore spots that demanded "immediate relief."
Well, that "speedy relief" took 68 years. The third track was listed as "triple tracks" back then, and just got the OK to go forward after being held up by State Senate Republicans.
In 1949, the third track was suggested along with the need for more double-deckers, more express trains and changing trains from steam power to diesel.
The article quoted this recommendation by the commission:
"Third track east of Jamaica to facilitate operation of express trains to accommodate way trains for intermediate stations. These proposed third tracks should run between Hicksville and Floral Park to permit operation of express trains from Port Jefferson, Riverhead and Babylon (via tracks between Babylon and Hicksville) and also express trains between Floral Park and Jamaica and New York and Brooklyn. Another third track should facilitate express service on the Hempstead branch east of Floral Park."
It went on to discuss the "Jamaica bottleneck." Some things never change.
Jan. 7, 1949 article referencing "triple tracks." Credit: Newsday Archive
