Electrification
Electrified service, which was extended from Hicksville to Ronkonkoma in 1987, ends at the enormous Ronkonkoma station. Two eastbound and three westbound Greenport Branch diesel-electric trains travel each weekday between Ronkonkoma and Greenport. An additional two westbound and one eastbound each weekday runs as far as Riverhead, and one eastbound each weekday runs as far as Yaphank. In addition, an eastbound runs between Deer Park and Riverhead in the morning, and is intended for use primarily by jurors. There is seasonal summer weekend service, consisting of two roundtrips to Greenport.
The line is presently single-tracked between the old Republic station (near Republic airport in East Farmingdale) and Deer Park, as well as between Brentwood and Greenport (with sidings at stations). As part of the capital plan the LIRR is discussing construction of a full second electrified track from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma to ease congestion in Suffolk County at Pinelawn, Wyandanch, Central Islip, and the 5 mile stretch between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma. On April 17th, 2012 the MTA got the go ahead with funding to start the double tracking project of the branch, and the project is slated to be completed by 2019 in conjunction with the completion of East Side Access. Plans may eventually include further electrification East of Ronkonkoma to as far as Riverhead, due to the possible construction of a new electrified yard in Yaphank, and the construction and reopening of Republic Station as a transportation hub.
Read more about this topic: Ronkonkoma Branch