LIRR Mainline Third Track Project

So theoretically, at Mineola you can have a main line EB train stopped on track 1, an OB bound train stopped on track 3 and a EB train on track 2 highballing through the station all at the same time?

For maybe three decades, I would occasionally visit the evening rush hour scene at Mineola, chat with railfans, and attempt to count passengers, especially those boarding the two Montauk Division trains. When the prospect of a third track from Park to Hicksville arose, I hoped for two island platforms, as at Babylon and Hicksville. In recent years, I changed my preference to the center-track speedway with higher-speed interlockings. Commuters to Suffolk County and those going to Hicksville both deserve the open road.
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It will take scheduling and tower skill to move the eastbound Oyster Bay diesel trains off Track 1 onto Track 3, make a station stop, and get around a 30-mph curve.
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frankie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 21, 2022 9:49 pm So theoretically, at Mineola you can have a main line EB train stopped on track 1, an OB bound train stopped on track 3 and a EB train on track 2 highballing through the station all at the same time?

Well almost. You've got the track numbers reversed. From north to south they are 3-1-2. So your eastbound express will be on (middle) Track-1, and the eastbound local will be platformed on (south) Track-2.

bellstbarn wrote: ↑Mon Aug 22, 2022 5:43 pm For maybe three decades, I would occasionally visit the evening rush hour scene at Mineola, chat with railfans, and attempt to count passengers, especially those boarding the two Montauk Division trains. When the prospect of a third track from Park to Hicksville arose, I hoped for two island platforms, as at Babylon and Hicksville. In recent years, I changed my preference to the center-track speedway with higher-speed interlockings. Commuters to Suffolk County and those going to Hicksville both deserve the open road.
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It will take scheduling and tower skill to move the eastbound Oyster Bay diesel trains off Track 1 onto Track 3, make a station stop, and get around a 30-mph curve.
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So bellstbarn, you're saying you approve of the new limited configuration at Mineola to allow for higher speeds for express trains?

Just saw a video on YouTube of an eastbound mu on track 3 mineola.
Why does it seem like there is more space between center track 1 and south track 2 as compared to between track 1 and north track 3?


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FL - There is a larger space between center Track 1 and south Track 2 at Mineola for one of the supporting walls
of the Mineola Boulevard bridge at the east end of Mineola Station. When the current bridge was constructed a
provision for the future third track underneath was added with this structure on the south side...MACTRAXX

Was curious what is the benefit of the new setup where both Oyster Bay Branch tracks come off track 3. Seems like they would lose flexibility to get trains onto the branch if a train is fowling up track 3.

flexliner wrote:Just saw a video on YouTube of an eastbound mu on track 3 mineola.
Why does it seem like there is more space between center track 1 and south track 2 as compared to between track 1 and north track 3?


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Do you have a link to the video?

Not the one I saw which I could not find.
But same idea with between track distances.
This train is westbound on track 3


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MNCRR9000 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 23, 2022 5:46 am Was curious what is the benefit of the new setup where both Oyster Bay Branch tracks come off track 3. Seems like they would lose flexibility to get trains onto the branch if a train is fowling up track 3.

That's another good argument to add fuel to the fire. Read up above and that's sort of what we've been talking about lately. I'm thinking today that this new configuration might suggest that the LIRR is intending to eventually convert the O. Bay Branch to a shuttle operation. That would explain one reason for the very limited service to the Branch at Mineola.

Diverging Route wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:40 pm The draft Grand Central Madison schedule for the OB Branch has a single electric MU train inbound from East Williston, in about the same place as the old #1501. It's now #511, departing EW at 7:46am, and making Mineola, Merillon Avenue, New Hyde Park, Elmont-UBS, Queens Village, Hollis, Jamaica, and Grand Central Madison.

So if this draft holds, when the GCM opens, we will have the once-daily EMU inbound from EW has was the case for decades until the reduced COVID schedule.

Yesterday I passed by the EW crossing on Hillside Avenue, and crews were working on the third rail just north (RR east) of the station.

Everyone - Major MINEOLA service changes in effect on Friday August 26 and Monday August 29 ONLY:

5 AM to 10 AM - NO Eastbound service EXCEPT 8:47 AM train to Oyster Bay. Bus service will be provided between
Hicksville and Mineola.

3 PM to 8:45 PM - Reduced service through Mineola. Minor schedule changes for Ronkonkoma and Huntington/
Port Jefferson trains.

*** ALL TRAINS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS SERVE PLATFORM A - TRACK 3 AT MINEOLA STATION ***

Some peak hour trains will add a Westbury stop - Free garage parking will be available.
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Running all trains through a single track "bottleneck" at Mineola during extensive trackwork between Nassau 1
and Nassau 2 for these two days will be very interesting in terms of LIRR service...MACTRAXX

Yeah LOL, Doing this on Friday and Monday rush-hours will make it all the more interesting.

FWIW,
Enjoy it, it’s a mile of single track for trains stopping at mineola. The EBs bypassing mineola won’t be affected short of not stopping there.
When this is done there will be 3 main tracks in service through Mineola and the absolute worst is over.

Good point workextra. I'll be in downtown Mineola for a medical appointment two blocks from the station the very next day on Tuesday, and I'll be checking out the completed job.