How Far Do You Think To The Next Gas Station?

Day 3 : 23rd September 1996

“OK, that's three breakfasts, do ya want beer with that?”

This was an early start, not by choice, but of necessity. We needed to cover the 0544 Port Jefferson-New York as this stood a chance of being two of LIRR three FL9ACs. Previous trips had found these ensconced in Morris Park shops where the staff were pulling their hair out trying to get some half decent reliability out of them. Fortunately they had succeeded and bang on time 302 hove into view from the dawn with 300 shoving on the back. Quick blast on these to Kings Park for the next Geep behind, then Greenlawn for the next and into Jamaica. From here it was onto the booked pair of MP15 switchers on the Oyster Bay-Long Island City through what might be politely called the “arse end” of Long Island. Arrival at Long Island City station in those days was always an event in so much as there wasn’t really a station at all, passengers merely stepped onto a roughly laid piece of tarmac next to one of the carriage sidings and off to the Manhattan Ferry or, if employed locally, off across the tracks and sod the 600V third rail!

Long Island City. Passengers are respectfully requested to step over the 3^rd rail.

Not what it appears. 615, one of LIRR converted Alco FA driving trailers.

From there it was a quick mosey over the top of the East River Tunnel to the corner of Vernon and Jackson. Here, above the Subway station, stood a most acceptable diner which did excellent breakfast. It was (indeed probably still is) a typical US diner, stools at the counter, tables at the window and good food. If it has a draw back it is location. It sits right opposite the parking for the local Sanitation Department depot and across the road from a Police Station; hence as people are coming and going all times of the twenty four hours, the staff make no assumption that “breakfast” is in any way the start, end or indeed middle of a customers day. This brings the interesting situation where the request for breakfasts is often met with an enquiry as to whether the customers require beer with that! Tempting though the offer was, coffee seemed the more British (and more sensible) option.

LIRR GP38-2 274 waits to draw ECS back
to Morris Park at Long Island City.

Refuelled it was downstairs for a Subway to Woodside and a unit to Jamaica to take in some wind in the hair (and everywhere else) open vestibule Geep bashing to Minneola and Bayshore before a reverse move back to Long Island City for the afternoon rush.

Long Island City. MP15s prepare to leave with the Oyster Bay service.

First move was a quick leap on a Geep to Hunterspoint Avenue which is, in many ways, a kind of 0.6 mile “scratch and sniff” move (it’s that kind of area) through the back streets. Indeed, some desperados have even been know to walk back through those streets to LIC for a second loco, and you know who you are!

The evening consisted of alternate Geeps and beers out along the Port Jefferson Line where the bar outside the station formed a useful stop before heading back to Smithstown, a taxi and bed.

End of the day, end of the line. FL9s and stock wait for tomorrow at Port Jefferson.

Please use your "back" button to return a Page