All sorts of unanswered questions on ESA. Back in 1996, LIRR gave a tour of the east end of the 63rd St LIRR tunnel to the ESA Citizens Task Force,of which I was a member. I asked an official questions. I walked away thinking they hoped for a 2006 opening, with Port Jeff riders transferring across the platform at the then planned Sunnyside station / transfer point. That will never happen. I've since asked LIRR how we would transfer - no answer. One might suspect that the transfer for some trains from diesel country will be so slow and onerous it will only be worth it in avoiding paying a subway fare. As to your question, it shouldn't take long, especially given brand new track and PTC, etc. But back in 1996 I asked another question - why couldn't LIRR diesel trains go direct, and they told me that the tunnel was about 3 inches not tall enough. Other things I've heard since suggest that there are spots with very tight clearances. It makes me wonder why they did not design the DE's, DM's, and C3's not to fit - except for other possibly planned clearance problems. SO I wonder how many problems that would make for much slower transit to GCT may exist. Does anyone have any knowledge here?