LIRR Diesel Routes

[michaelstevens]

During my visit (today) out to Glen Head (Long Island), my host indicated that he thought that the Oyster Bay Branch was the last remaining route, which uses the diesels and Kawasaki double deck push/pull sets.
On the way back into Manhattan on the 16:30 train, I saw 3 of the diesel sets heading East, in quick succession, out of Jamaica.
I know that one was scheduled for the Oyster Bay Branch -- but
(a) where were the other two going ?
(b) what is that diesel ?
Finally, as I was leaving Penn Station (for Phila), I saw another diesel/double deck set -- but this diesel had 3rd rail shoes --
(c) where do those sets go to ?

Would someone, please be willing to enlighten me ?

Thanks.

[Mikeygaw]

i seem to vaguely recall something about some major city requiring all trains to be electrified, (might of been NYC) thus explaining the third rail shoe. Can't remember where I heard this though... possible Tracks Ahead or an issue of Trains... was a while ago i heard/read this, so don't quote me on this

[jchnhtfd]

Sorry can't answer on the diesel routes on Long Island -- but New York has required all rail operations within the five boroughs to be electric since before WW I. Resulting in some very interesting dual powered engines!

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by michaelstevens

During my visit (today) out to Glen Head (Long Island), my host indicated that he thought that the Oyster Bay Branch was the last remaining route, which uses the diesels and Kawasaki double deck push/pull sets.
On the way back into Manhattan on the 16:30 train, I saw 3 of the diesel sets heading East, in quick succession, out of Jamaica.
I know that one was scheduled for the Oyster Bay Branch -- but
(a) where were the other two going ?
(b) what is that diesel ?
Finally, as I was leaving Penn Station (for Phila), I saw another diesel/double deck set -- but this diesel had 3rd rail shoes --
(c) where do those sets go to ?

Your host is incorrect. The Port Jefferson branch east of Huntington, the Main Line east of Ronkonkoma, and the Montauk branch east of Babylon remain diesel-only. The Oyster Bay branch, incidentally, is electrified to East Williston, the first stop east of Mineola, where it diverges from the Main Line.

Next time you see one of the diesels, check the number. The 400 series are diesel-only DE30-ACs, while the 500s are dual-mode DM30-ACs. Simply put, the difference is the dual-modes have third rail shoes which allow them to operate into Penn Station, as you saw. The current schedule includes two daily (weekday rush hour) Penn Station roundtrips to Port Jefferson, one to Oyster Bay, and one to Speonk, on the Montauk branch.

The three eastbounds you saw in quick succession may have been these run-through trains, or they may have originated at Hunterspoint Avenue in Long Island City.

The LIRR has invested an enormous amount of capital into their infrastructure the past decade or so. The Ronkonkoma electrification was an immense project, and these new diesels and Kawasaki double-deck cars are a welcome addition to the fleet. And the M-7s coming on line aren't too shabby, either.

You can find schedule information at the New York MTA's excellent website, http://www.mta.info.

[michaelstevens]

Thanks "mikeyuhas" -- that's exactly the info I was looking for.
Who makes the DE30-Acs and DM30-ACs ? The DM looked kind of like the F59.
What is the M-7 ? Is that the new EMU, I would have ridden between Penn. Sta. and Jamaica ?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The DE30AC and DM30AC are both EMD products, assembled by Super Steel in Schenectady. The M-7 is the new MU car.
Jamaica is a fascinating place to watch trains, especially during rush hour.

[kenneo]

Jamaica is close to JFK, and has a direct connection to the airport. I know you can do it by bus, but I also think the Airtrain has a terminal at LIRR/Jamaica on the way to JFK.