The MTA is a very tough nut to crack. It took me 14 months to get a job there from the time I first applied to when I started work, then they terminated me 30 days later for “not meeting the expectations of the training program.” I was a coach cleaner for Metro North. It was an absolute kick in the face because a job with the MTA was all I ever wanted since I was literally four years old. There were so many hoops I had to jump through to get in there, a written exam which I obviously passed. If I failed the exam, I would’ve been out of the running for the position, two drug tests, two physical ability tests, two vision tests, I had to have my signature notarized twice, so many tax forms to fill out. They have a very high bar for new hires. I’m an Amazon delivery driver now, I’m based out of Carle Place.
It's hard to believe that the Ronkonkoma branch only became double track in 2018. That branch has one of the highest ridership totals on the LIRR. I don't know how they went over 150 years with only one track. I live on the Far Rockaway branch (Hewlett is my home station, I use Lynbrook sometimes too, because there's more service) and it has one of the lowest ridership totals from Valley Stream to Far Rockaway. Most of the people who use the Far Rockaway branch get on and off at Valley Stream, Rosedale, Laurelton, and Locust Manor.
Thanks again for the memories. Things changed rapidly in the 17 years from when I was an engineer there. Road crossings eliminated, interlockings gone, new ones appearing! The biggest change for me was Nassau tower gone!! Didn't recognize the place until I saw the OB branch cutting off the main line. Tell the "puppy" engineer (when you start collecting RR retirement you become the "Big Dog" maybe the "Old Dog" LOL) he did OK, just fine tune rule 14L. (lay on that horn!) Let them know who's the Boss, the train not the cars. Nice ride though, thanks again!!
Yeah. There was a time.(about 12 years ago) when I wanted to be an engineer or even getting a job as a coach cleaner so that I wouldn't have to make that daily commute from the Hamptons to the city and back everyday. They can keep it now!!!! I'm about ready to retire from the MTA that is, if the Creator is gracious.
@@sandydennisbrody4742 25 Years with NYC Transit, 1 Yr with New York City Housing Authority and 18.5 Years with NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. Come man, I'll be the daggone Mayor 🤣🤣🤣
So many memories of going to Hicksville on weekends in the 90's from Philly. My Aunt Florie lived in Plainview and would pick me up. I would spend the weekend with my cousins who lived in Albany, other places on Long Island and Vermont.
@@3985uprr @MrMaster767 Yes. The M9's and M7's would be the engineers choice of train because of how the train reacts when they are operating. The M7 Bombardier trains brake better. The M3's are probably loud and uncomfortable.
Hello from Hamburg/Germany. I found this site by accident and immediately subscribed to it. Your comments on the route and related things to do in the area are very insightful.😊 In addition, I also find it interesting to see the differences between American and German railways.👍👍👍 I'll keep checking back here. Best regards from Joachim
I used to spend my weekends taking photos at Union Hall sta. that was the spot back in the 1960's. Another spot I was always at was right at the bottom of Dunton Tower, stairs employee access to the yards. I was there so much. Most of the dispatchers would invite me up in the Tower. and Yes. I got to move the levers. so cool. great ride with you and Yankee clipper. 👍👍👍
hey keep doing what you're doing. I love your videos and your commentary. I missed my chance in life for driving one of these, and that's my fault, so thanks for documenting this for a train guy like myself. I'm going through all my Dad's pre-war Lionel trains and between that and your videos, it makes me happy. Really educational stuff your providing, so thank you!
I miss living on Long Island riding the LIRR. Ronkonkoma Branch saw electric service begin on December 28th, 1987, and it went full electric 3 weeks later on January 18th, 1988. Originally, the branch was going to be double tracked fully, but they didn't have the funds for it. They did double-track from AMOTT to HUNT which involved adding a new platform at Cold Spring Harbor. Before electrification began in the mid-80's, only 6 stations in Suffolk County saw electric service: Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague, & Amityville on the Babylon Branch, and Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor on the Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch. Double-Track project was completed on September 21st, 2018, and the crossing next to Deer Park is Executive Drive (what I consider one of the most hazardous now that all crossings from Hicksville Westward).
Really loved the front window view. I take the train every time I go to the city. Never knew exactly what it looked like, I always ever saw it from the side windows. My one gripe about the video is the dog that wouldn't stop barking for anything, until the crew got it to stop, which I thought was kind of amusing.
He does it every day. I used to think it was only a matter of time till he got hit, but he's pretty much mastered the art of crossing the tracks and avoiding the third rail and other trains. He does it because it's faster to go from the south platform to the north platform by crossing the tracks, than it is to walk all the way east to the walkway. Not sure why he doesn't sit in the middle of the train so that he's at the walkway when the doors open, but to each their own.
Crazy i want to do this so bad ..so im gonna do ...i do the ronkonkoma/ hicksville to atlantic and penn station on my traim sim world 2..all the controls are exactly the same, horn, charge brakes, i could operate with no problem...mta me soon come mnr hopefully
@lirr: railfanning 511 Interesting term 'drive' Trains are not driven for there is no steering wheels in them. They cannot steer clear of a car if it is on the tracks. They do have controls to accelerate and to reduce speed and to stop. As someone who operates trains a more refined term would be: operate or 'control'
I think you got the date wrong, I rode 2059 on Friday and heard the announcement at Queens Village, I was in the third car (the rangers fans in that car were drinking and talking loudly.) I remember while pulling out of Jamaica I saw someone who looked like you with a Black KN95 type mask filming on a phone.
Another great video! Love the detail and history of the routes. I enjoyed your comments about the dog. :) Just curious: What is the pet policy on the LIRR? Thanks as always.
Allowed in kennels and recommend they be relatively small but they don’t mention about silencing the dog. I’m a cat lover so you can imagine what I was thinking 😂😂😂
@@3985uprr @Anthony Albence 'To have partial knowledge of a subject is a good thing BUT , to have accurate knowledge is even better!!!' Section 1097.10 A Animals barred from terminal. No person except a police officer or another person authorized by LIRR shall enter in a terminal, station or train with any animal except a seeing eye or hearing ear dog or an animal properly confined for shipment. This is from the Long Island Railroad Road Rules of Conduct/Code and Compliant rulebook
Just found you and I must say excellent video both commentary and content! Right before Jamaica you said the elvated Montauk line coming down on the left....is that not also the Babylon line?
Babylon trains use it. They could also use the Atlantic branch sometimes. Well Babylon is part of the Montauk branch and that’s what that line is called
I never understood why westbound trains using tracks 1-4 platform all 12 cars, meanwhile eastbound trains using tracks 4, 7 and 8 do not platform all 12 cars?
@@johnterry9930 oh really they can crank it up to 80 on that line through Long Island that's awesome! Kind of seem like it was hokey pokeying along at about 20 the whole time to me though. 😉
@@tylerhergott3893 If the camera is zoomed in, the train will look like it's going slower than it actually is. Maximum Authorized Speed on LIRR is 80mph, and trains regularly reach that where permitted.
@@mattb1270 @Fade @Tyler Hergott You can't just go zipping down the track. You guys are getting a first hand view of the locomotive engineer operates the train. Another reason why his speed is probably restricted is because he's passing through intersections where car can come through, there may be a signal or rule restricting his speed so that he can pass through safely.
@@3985uprr me I don't wear them unless I am on Public Transportation because the extortion for the $50.00 to generate revenue and I am being forced to wear them or in Hospital Nursing Homes and Doctor Office otherwise I am not wearing it at all.
He seem to love his job! I've always hope to be a train engineer one day.
@Transit Fan Productions Good goal. Study Hard. Hard as hell to get in the Long Island Railroad Road.
@@adriancooper78 Thank you!
Get the train sim world game,pc ,ps4, xbox ...same exact thing but at home until we get to where we gonna be
Me too bro!
The MTA is a very tough nut to crack. It took me 14 months to get a job there from the time I first applied to when I started work, then they terminated me 30 days later for “not meeting the expectations of the training program.” I was a coach cleaner for Metro North. It was an absolute kick in the face because a job with the MTA was all I ever wanted since I was literally four years old. There were so many hoops I had to jump through to get in there, a written exam which I obviously passed. If I failed the exam, I would’ve been out of the running for the position, two drug tests, two physical ability tests, two vision tests, I had to have my signature notarized twice, so many tax forms to fill out. They have a very high bar for new hires. I’m an Amazon delivery driver now, I’m based out of Carle Place.
Awesome!!!! The Ronkonkoma Branch is my home Branch!!!
It's hard to believe that the Ronkonkoma branch only became double track in 2018. That branch has one of the highest ridership totals on the LIRR. I don't know how they went over 150 years with only one track. I live on the Far Rockaway branch (Hewlett is my home station, I use Lynbrook sometimes too, because there's more service) and it has one of the lowest ridership totals from Valley Stream to Far Rockaway. Most of the people who use the Far Rockaway branch get on and off at Valley Stream, Rosedale, Laurelton, and Locust Manor.
Always wanted to see that lever pulled at 2:23!
My good friend John T. Wow Retired Railfan, you probably know more of my friends. 😎👍
Thanks again for the memories. Things changed rapidly in the 17 years from when I was an engineer there. Road crossings eliminated, interlockings gone, new ones appearing! The biggest change for me was Nassau tower gone!! Didn't recognize the place until I saw the OB branch cutting off the main line. Tell the "puppy" engineer (when you start collecting RR retirement you become the "Big Dog" maybe the "Old Dog" LOL) he did OK, just fine tune rule 14L. (lay on that horn!) Let them know who's the Boss, the train not the cars. Nice ride though, thanks again!!
Yeah. There was a time.(about 12 years ago) when I wanted to be an engineer or even getting a job as a coach cleaner so that I wouldn't have to make that daily commute from the Hamptons to the city and back everyday. They can keep it now!!!! I'm about ready to retire from the MTA that is, if the Creator is gracious.
@@adriancooper78 Good for you!! When you start collecting retirement pay, you become a member of the "Big Dog" club
@@sandydennisbrody4742
25 Years with NYC Transit, 1 Yr with New York City Housing Authority and 18.5 Years with
NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. Come man, I'll be the daggone Mayor 🤣🤣🤣
So many memories of going to Hicksville on weekends in the 90's from Philly. My Aunt Florie lived in Plainview and would pick me up. I would spend the weekend with my cousins who lived in Albany, other places on Long Island and Vermont.
Excellent!
I prefer an M3 for this. They may return with ESA. On Metro North sone engineers have that barricade up front. LIRR never had that
@@3985uprr I enjoyed M3s for a long time. They'll be back soon!
@@MrMaster767 Crews hate them.
@@3985uprr
@MrMaster767
Yes. The M9's and M7's would be the engineers choice of train because of how the train reacts when they are operating. The M7 Bombardier trains brake better. The M3's are probably loud and uncomfortable.
Thanks for the virtual train ride and commentary. Got to see something of New York.
Great job done by you and him.
Great return trip. Flying Yankee loves his job.
Thank you RR for posting this video.😀😀💙💙
Your LIRR videos FILL the choo choo voids on those WFH days!!!!
I often watch train videos when I was working from home
Thanks 😊 to you and the Flying Yankee for a fine ride 👍
Hello from Hamburg/Germany. I found this site by accident and immediately subscribed to it. Your comments on the route and related things to do in the area are very insightful.😊 In addition, I also find it interesting to see the differences between American and German railways.👍👍👍 I'll keep checking back here. Best regards from Joachim
Danke Sehr. We are from being DB. I find awesome things about your railroads and perhaps you find some awesome things about ours.
@@3985uprr Good morning, I will definitely visit your site regularly. Please keep it up, your type of publication is very informative and varied 👍👏
At 27:28 that is actually PW Interlocking. What I identified as PW is actually the East End of Farm Interlocking.
I used to spend my weekends taking photos at Union Hall sta. that was the spot back in the 1960's. Another spot I was always at was right at the bottom of Dunton Tower, stairs employee access to the yards. I was there so much. Most of the dispatchers would invite me up in the Tower. and Yes. I got to move the levers. so cool. great ride with you and Yankee clipper. 👍👍👍
hey keep doing what you're doing. I love your videos and your commentary. I missed my chance in life for driving one of these, and that's my fault, so thanks for documenting this for a train guy like myself. I'm going through all my Dad's pre-war Lionel trains and between that and your videos, it makes me happy. Really educational stuff your providing, so thank you!
Lol that 📯 horn..😵💫😧
Not exactly a K5LLA 😂😂
You should ride the LIRR M9… hopefully it goes express to Penn Station.
I miss living on Long Island riding the LIRR. Ronkonkoma Branch saw electric service begin on December 28th, 1987, and it went full electric 3 weeks later on January 18th, 1988. Originally, the branch was going to be double tracked fully, but they didn't have the funds for it. They did double-track from AMOTT to HUNT which involved adding a new platform at Cold Spring Harbor. Before electrification began in the mid-80's, only 6 stations in Suffolk County saw electric service: Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague, & Amityville on the Babylon Branch, and Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor on the Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch. Double-Track project was completed on September 21st, 2018, and the crossing next to Deer Park is Executive Drive (what I consider one of the most hazardous now that all crossings from Hicksville Westward).
What spooked that dog
Just an annoying dog
Keep up the great work, Tim.
Good ride RRF. Thanks
A GREAT RIDE with the FLYING YANKEE. WELL DONE. ! 🏆🇺🇸
Very cool
I was on 2054 the other day!
would love to film with The Flying Yankee one day.!
Really loved the front window view. I take the train every time I go to the city. Never knew exactly what it looked like, I always ever saw it from the side windows. My one gripe about the video is the dog that wouldn't stop barking for anything, until the crew got it to stop, which I thought was kind of amusing.
At 13:23 that is Brentwood double ended freight
Fairly new
....:) You Sure do Know your Stuff, Mister...!!!.....:)
I remember Johnny Ramone being interviewed by a WLIR-DJ back in the mid-80's..talking about his "Holiday in Hicksville".
Listen to traction mode and the rattling that can tell if the train is moving and i can tell by the sounds this engineer was moving great on horn
Awesome ride do you plan to do a Danbury Branch Direct video to Danbury? or maybe a Waterbury Branch video?
Upload Days are my favorite days!
@33:08 Peek-A-Boo!! What was that guy doing?
He does it every day. I used to think it was only a matter of time till he got hit, but he's pretty much mastered the art of crossing the tracks and avoiding the third rail and other trains.
He does it because it's faster to go from the south platform to the north platform by crossing the tracks, than it is to walk all the way east to the walkway. Not sure why he doesn't sit in the middle of the train so that he's at the walkway when the doors open, but to each their own.
@@WestAirAviation Thanks for the reply. What an odd guy who does such a thing.
He had an M9 the day earlier!
Missed it unfortunately. It’s hard to predict in advance when he would have them.
Crazy i want to do this so bad ..so im gonna do ...i do the ronkonkoma/ hicksville to atlantic and penn station on my traim sim world 2..all the controls are exactly the same, horn, charge brakes, i could operate with no problem...mta me soon come mnr hopefully
Who is the guy on the tracks in Bethpage at 33:08???
Might've been an employee
I have seen weird things in Bethpage
They have cement ties which gives you access to higher speeds. Confusing
My station Ronkonkoma !
Former NYCT train operator here. Any tips on how to study for the LIRR signal and definition test?
Does he drive the same m7 or does he change every day
Every day is something different usually
@lirr: railfanning 511
Interesting term 'drive'
Trains are not driven for there is no steering wheels in them. They cannot steer clear of a car if it is on the tracks. They do have controls to accelerate and to reduce speed and to stop.
As someone who operates trains a more refined term would be: operate or 'control'
I think you got the date wrong, I rode 2059 on Friday and heard the announcement at Queens Village, I was in the third car (the rangers fans in that car were drinking and talking loudly.) I remember while pulling out of Jamaica I saw someone who looked like you with a Black KN95 type mask filming on a phone.
That was me alright. I didn’t think they’d stop at Queens Village but they did
Ronkonkoma trains stops at Mineola?
Quite often now
@@3985uprr Interesting sir
Another great video! Love the detail and history of the routes. I enjoyed your comments about the dog. :) Just curious: What is the pet policy on the LIRR? Thanks as always.
Allowed in kennels and recommend they be relatively small but they don’t mention about silencing the dog. I’m a cat lover so you can imagine what I was thinking 😂😂😂
@@3985uprr Thanks for the insights as always. I am a cat & dog lover, but that did surprise me to hear that barking LOL! :)
@@AA_8184_1 I never heard an outburst like that on the LIRR
@@3985uprr
@Anthony Albence
'To have partial knowledge of a subject is a good thing BUT , to have accurate knowledge is even better!!!'
Section 1097.10 A
Animals barred from terminal. No person except a police officer or another person authorized by LIRR shall enter in a terminal, station or train with any animal except a seeing eye or hearing ear dog or an animal properly confined for shipment.
This is from the Long Island Railroad Road Rules of Conduct/Code and Compliant rulebook
@@adriancooper78 The animal was confined but not it’s mouth
ronkonkoma my home station live minutes away always rail fanning there what time of the day yesterday was this?
Around 4
@@3985uprr dang it i just missed meeting you by 30 mintues
Just found you and I must say excellent video both commentary and content! Right before Jamaica you said the elvated Montauk line coming down on the left....is that not also the Babylon line?
Babylon trains use it. They could also use the Atlantic branch sometimes. Well Babylon is part of the Montauk branch and that’s what that line is called
Is it local or express?
Pretty much a local. The only run expresses during the rush-hour.
Why are the trains going so slowly? Is it because of all the RR crossings?
I never understood why westbound trains using tracks 1-4 platform all 12 cars, meanwhile eastbound trains using tracks 4, 7 and 8 do not platform all 12 cars?
Is it me or is there a very low MAX train speed on that line?
MAS is 80…..Speed looks slower as the camera is zoomed in
@@johnterry9930 oh really they can crank it up to 80 on that line through Long Island that's awesome!
Kind of seem like it was hokey pokeying along at about 20 the whole time to me though. 😉
Regarding Pinelawn... croaking sucks...😢😢
Why is the train so slow?!?! Is it always this slow??? I would never waste my time taking this, almost just as fast as me walking.
To be fair, these trains only run through like 3 boroughs and a island that isnt far apart at all. Doesn't need to be a high speed line.
@@fade1980 It doesn't need to be high speed, but something faster than this is needed. This is mega slow.
@@tylerhergott3893 If the camera is zoomed in, the train will look like it's going slower than it actually is. Maximum Authorized Speed on LIRR is 80mph, and trains regularly reach that where permitted.
@@mattb1270 wish M3’s were back. I wouldn’t have to zoom. For now I have to play by the rules and do what I can to provide a good view
@@mattb1270
@Fade
@Tyler Hergott
You can't just go zipping down the track. You guys are getting a first hand view of the locomotive engineer operates the train. Another reason why his speed is probably restricted is because he's passing through intersections where car can come through, there may be a signal or rule restricting his speed so that he can pass through safely.
Only one thing would make this vid better, much less talking. People can use a map if they want.
stop wearing masks people
Safety first. There are variants out there. I do not wish to catch Covid again.
@for the love of God Better to wear them than to not wear them. The N95 is the best one to use.
thedecider1984 I couldn't said it better myself.
@@3985uprr me I don't wear them unless I am on Public Transportation because the extortion for the $50.00 to generate revenue and I am being forced to wear them or in Hospital Nursing Homes and Doctor Office otherwise I am not wearing it at all.
@@jaimepimentel3729 I’m trans I always wear them otherwise I use discretion