Port Washington station

{{short description|Long Island Rail Road station in Nassau County, New York}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox station | name = Port Washington | style = LIRR | image = Port_Washington_LIRR_Station_House_from_Main_Street,_Port_Washington,_Long_Island,_New_York.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The Port Washington LIRR terminal's station house, as seen from Main Street on June 6, 2021 | address = Main Street, between Haven & South Bayles Avenues Port Washington, New York | coordinates = {{coord|40.82935|-73.68733|type:railwaystation_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}} | line = Port Washington Branch | distance = {{convert|18.1|mi|abbr=on}} from {{lirrs|Long Island City}}<ref name="ett-20120514">{{cite web | title=Timetable No. 4 | author=Long Island Rail Road | date= May 14, 2012 | accessdate=August 6, 2022 | url=http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrhistoricaldata/LIRRTimeTable4_5-14-2012.pdf | page=VI}}</ref> | other = {{bus icon|12px|Local Transit}} '''Nassau Inter-County Express''': {{LI bus link|n23}}, Port Washington Shuttle | platform = 2 island platforms | tracks = 8 | parking = Yes (Port Washington Parking District permits required) | bicycle = Yes | baggage_check = | passengers = 7,459 per weekday<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/planning/data/2012_LIRR_OD_Report_Volume_I_FINAL%2008232016.pdf#page=197|title=2012-2014 LIRR Origin and Destination Report : Volume I: Travel Behavior Among All LIRR Passengers|date=August 23, 2016|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717085537/http://web.mta.info/mta/planning/data/2012_LIRR_OD_Report_Volume_I_FINAL%2008232016.pdf|archive-date=July 17, 2019|access-date=March 29, 2020|at=PDF pp. 15, 197|quote=Data collection took place after the pretest determinations, starting in September 2012 and concluding in May 2014. .... 2012–2014 LIRR O[rigin and ]D[estination] Counts: Weekday East/West Total By Station in Numerical Order ... Port Washington}}</ref> | pass_year = 2012—2014 | pass_rank = 13 of 125 | opened = June 23, 1898 | closed = | rebuilt = 1930, 1998 | electrified = October 21, 1913<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/branchnotes.htm#Port%20Washington|title=LIRR Branch Notes|work=trainsarefun.com}}</ref> 750 V (DC) third rail | accessible = Yes | code = PWS | owned = | zone = 4 | services = {{Adjacent stations|system=LIRR|line=Port Washington|left=Plandome}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 14 | mapframe-marker-color = {{rcr|LIRR|Port Washington}} | mapframe-marker = rail }} '''Port Washington''' is the terminus of the Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington Branch in Port Washington, New York. The station is located on Main Street, between Haven Avenue and South Bayles Avenue, just west of Port Washington Boulevard (NY 101), and is 19.9 miles (32 km) from Pennsylvania Station in Midtown Manhattan. A pedestrian bridge exists between the platforms, and is in line with Franklin Avenue, ending at Haven Avenue.

==History== The construction of a train station in Port Washington was first recommended to Austin Corbin by a group of Port Washington residents in 1895, after a failed attempt to extend the existing North Side Division between Great Neck and Roslyn in 1882. Efforts to bring rail service to the community actually date back to the days of the Flushing and North Side Railroad which established an unbuilt subsidiary called the "North Shore and Port Washington Railroad" that was dissolved once the F&NS was consolidated into the Flushing, North Shore and Central Railroad in 1874. The station was originally built on June 23, 1898, by the Great Neck and Port Washington Railroad, an LIRR subsidiary that existed between 1898 and 1902.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Long Island Rail Road |url=https://www.cowneck.org/lirr |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mastrocinque-Martone |first=Andrea |date=2021-07-08 |title=Hail The New Rail |url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2021/07/08/hail-the-new-rail/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=www.longislandpress.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Port Washington Branch was electrified to Port Washington in 1913. The station was remodeled in 1930, and again in 1998 upon the station's 100th Anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forgotten-ny.com/2002/05/port-washington-branch-part-2-auburndale-to-port-washington/|title=Port Washington Branch Part 2 Auburndale to Port Washington|work=forgotten-ny.com|date=May 16, 2002 }}</ref>

On August 3, 1946, a head-on train crash at the station resulted in two deaths and 27 injuries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ingraham |first=Joseph C. |date=August 4, 1946 |title=2 Killed, 27 Hurt in Head-On Crash on L.I. Railroad; Second Rail Accident in 18 Hours in Metropolitan Area |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/08/04/archives/2-killed-27-hurt-in-headon-crash-on-li-railroad-second-rail.html |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On October 14, 1947, the rear car of a New York-bound train backing into the station crashed into the bumper block at approximately 8:12 AM.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=October 15, 1947 |title=Train Hits Waiting Room; One Hurt as Car Jumps Block at Port Washington Station |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/10/15/archives/train-hits-waiting-room-one-hurt-as-car-jumps-block-at-port.html |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The train subsequently derailed and crashed into the rear of the station building, ultimately coming to a stop inside the station's waiting room. One person – a 46-year-old, female passenger named Elizabeth Sandblom who had been waiting on the platform – received non-fatal injuries.<ref name=":7" />

In 1959, the main parking lot at the station was opened by the Port Washington Parking District, with a capacity of 411 cars.<ref name="Parking">{{Cite news |date=July 16, 1959 |title=Parking Area Opens at Port LIRR Station |pages=36 |work=Newsday|id={{ProQuest|}}}}</ref> Parking capacity for the station more than doubled when the district opened the parking lot. The construction of this parking lot required the Town of North Hempstead and the Long Island Rail Road to make land swaps, and the station's rail freight depot was relocated roughly {{Convert|0.5|mi|km}} to make rooms for the improved parking facilities.<ref name="Parking" /><ref name="LIRR">{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1948 |title=LIRR Okays Port Parking Plan |pages=27 |work=Newsday |id={{ProQuest|}}}}</ref>

On December 29, 1988, a 10-car M3 train arriving from Penn Station derailed after crashing into the bumper block at the end of Track 3 at approximately 1:30 PM.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Bleyer |first=Bill |date=December 30, 1988 |title=A Second Train Derails on LIRR |work=Newsday |pages=5|id={{ProQuest|}}}}</ref> The force of the impact caused the train to push the bumper block back by approximately {{Convert|1|ft|cm}}; this resulted in the train and bumper block crashing into – and damaging – sections of the track, concrete platform, and the platform's steel railing. At the time of the incident, the train was carrying 25 passengers and four crew members – none of whom were injured. Car # 9892 – the lead car – sustained minor damage in the incident.<ref name=":8" />

In April 2014, a pedestrian bridge connecting the south end of the station with Haven Avenue closed, after pieces of concrete fell off the bridge and onto the tracks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Eidler |first=Scott |date=June 19, 2014 |title=Port Washington LIRR Station to Get Temporary Pedestrian Bridge |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/port-washington-lirr-station-to-get-temporary-pedestrian-bridge-x11714 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Newsday }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Eidler |first=Scott |date=October 1, 2014 |title=Port Washington LIRR Pedestrian Bridge to Be Extended |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/metropolitan-transportation-authority-will-build-extension-to-port-washington-lirr-pedestrian-bridge-t54665 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Newsday }}</ref> Determined to be structurally unsound, corroded, and largely damaged beyond repair, the overpass was demolished, and the station's other pedestrian overpass received a temporary, prefabricated extension span to maintain the pedestrian connection between Haven Avenue and the south end of the station.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

In 2018, then-New York State Senator Elaine R. Philips (R–Flower Hill) secured a $5 million grant to replace the platform canopies at the station.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chung |first=Christine |date=October 18, 2018 |title=Phillips Announces New Canopies Coming to Port Washington LIRR Station |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/port-washington-grant-d95382 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Newsday }}</ref>

In order to allow for increased service via the line to Grand Central Terminal, two existing tracks in the Port Washington Yard (located at the station) are planned to be extended. Work was originally scheduled to begin in January 2018 and be completed by December 2020.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=L60601YL Port Washington Yard Reconfiguration |url=http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=l60601yl&PLTYPE=1 |access-date=September 3, 2017 |website=web.mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, construction was scheduled to commence between late 2020 and early 2021, with a cost of $500,000.<ref name="Nov 2017">{{cite web |date=November 2017 |title=MTA Long Island Rail Road Committee Meeting |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/140623_1345_CPOC.pdf#page=35 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205130002/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/140623_1345_CPOC.pdf#page=35 |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |work=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |page=35}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=L60601YL Port Washington Yard Reconfiguration |url=http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=l60601yl&PLTYPE=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903211912/http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=l60601yl&PLTYPE=1 |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |access-date=September 3, 2017 |website=web.mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref> However, the project has been met with significant community opposition, primarily because of the proposed reduction in the number of parking spaces at the station.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last=Castillo |first=Alfonso A. |date=November 29, 2015 |title=Outta Space: Few Places to Park at LIRR Lots |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/lirr-lots-overwhelmed-by-parking-demands-t43738 |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615153453/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/lirr-lots-overwhelmed-by-parking-demands-t43738 |archive-date=June 15, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Nov 2020">{{cite report |url=https://new.mta.info/document/23951 |title=Joint Metro-North And Long Island Committees Meeting |date=November 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013091935/https://new.mta.info/document/23951 |archive-date=October 13, 2021 |url-status=live |website=mta.info}}</ref>{{rp|65}}<ref name="senate092822">{{cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Anna M. |author-link=Anna Kaplan |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Important LIRR Commuter Update: Express Trains Have Been Saved |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2022/anna-m-kaplan/important-lirr-commuter-update-express-trains-have-been-saved |access-date=October 1, 2022 |website=nysenate.gov}}</ref><ref name="Nov 2021">{{cite report |url=https://new.mta.info/document/64116 |title=Joint Metro-North And Long Island Committees Meeting |date=November 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707000115/https://new.mta.info/document/64116 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |url-status=live |website=mta.info}}</ref>{{rp|61}}<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=LIRR Announces Six Express Trains Included in Port Washington Branch Revised Grand Central Madison Draft Timetables |url=https://new.mta.info/press-release/lirr-announces-six-express-trains-included-port-washington-branch-revised-grand |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=MTA }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2022 |title=Long Island Rail Road Bows to Outcry, Revises Port Washington Branch Schedule |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/long-island-rail-road-bows-to-outcry-revises-port-washington-branch-schedule/ |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Trains }}</ref> Also, a significant concern is the lack of any guarantee of increased service to the station upon completion of this costly project.<ref name="Oakes 2024">{{cite news|url=https://theisland360.com/featured/north-hempstead-enters-to-conduct-study-on-additional-port-washington-lirr-track/|work=The Island 360|first=Cameryn|last=Oakes|title=North Hempstead enters agreement to conduct study on additional Port Washington LIRR track – Featured |date=July 10, 2024|access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> In July 2024, the MTA received permission from the North Hempstead town government to examine the feasibility of lengthening the outermost storage tracks.<ref name="Oakes 2024"/><ref>{{cite web | last=Needelman | first=Joshua | title=Long Island Rail Road to explore storing more trains at Port Washington rail yard | website=Newsday | date=August 11, 2024 | url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/port-washington-parking-lirr-gs8zbxfp | access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref>

As part of the 2025–2029 MTA Capital Program, the Port Washington station will undergo a station-wide renewal project.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://new.mta.info/document/151266 |title=2025–2029 MTA Capital Program |date=September 25, 2024 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |location=New York |pages=200 |language=English |access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref>

==Station layout== thumb|A train on Track 3, as seen from the end of the station closest to Main Street. This station has two 10-car long island platforms serving four tracks. The remaining four tracks make up the '''Port Washington Yard''' and are used for train storage.

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;" width=150|'''M''' |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;" width=100|Mezzanine |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;" width=400|Crossover between platforms and parking lots |- |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" rowspan=10 valign=top|'''Street/platform level''' Entrance/exit, station house, buses, and taxis |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|Track '''1''' |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|← ''Storage track'' |- |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|Track '''2''' |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|← {{rcb|LIRR|Port Washington|inline=yes}} toward {{lirrs|Penn Station}} or {{lirrs|Grand Central Madison}} ({{lirrs|Plandome}}) |- |style="border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 2px black;text-align:center;" colspan=2|Island platform, doors will open on the left or right {{access icon}} |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|Track '''3''' |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|← {{rcb|LIRR|Port Washington|inline=yes}} toward {{lirrs|Penn Station}} or {{lirrs|Grand Central Madison}} ({{lirrs|Plandome}}) |- |Track '''4''' |← {{rcb|LIRR|Port Washington|inline=yes}} toward {{lirrs|Penn Station}} or {{lirrs|Grand Central Madison}} ({{lirrs|Plandome}}) |- |style="border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 2px black;text-align:center;" colspan=2|Island platform, doors will open on the left or right {{access icon}} |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|Track '''5''' |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|← {{rcb|LIRR|Port Washington|inline=yes}} toward {{lirrs|Penn Station}} or {{lirrs|Grand Central Madison}} ({{lirrs|Plandome}}) |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|Track '''6''' |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|← ''Storage track'' |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|Track '''7''' |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|← ''Storage track'' |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|Track '''8''' |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|← ''Storage track'' |}

== Port Washington Yard == The Port Washington Yard is a rail yard in Port Washington, New York, located at the Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station – the terminus of the Port Washington Branch. The yard consists of four tracks – three on the east side of the station and one on the west side. It can accommodate up to 40 train cars at a time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaden |first=Marco |date=October 30, 2019 |title=Port Washington Branch Capital Program Projects |url=https://manhassetpress.com/port-washington-branch-capital-program-projects/ |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=Manhasset Press }}</ref>

=== Proposed expansion === In order to allow for increased service on the Port Washington Branch, two existing tracks in the Port Washington Yard are planned to be extended. Work was originally scheduled to begin in January 2018 and be completed by December 2020.<ref name=":2" /> {{As of|2017}}, construction was scheduled to commence between late 2020 and early 2021, with a cost of $500,000.<ref name="Nov 2017" /><ref name=":3" /> However, the project has been met with significant community opposition – in large part due to the proposed reduction in the number of parking spaces at the station.<ref name=":4" />

In September 2022, the MTA and the Town of North Hempstead agreed that the yard expansion is necessary and thus must be built.<ref name="Nov 2020" />{{rp|65}}<ref name="senate092822" /><ref name="Nov 2021" />{{rp|61}}<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> On July 9, 2024, the sides agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU), under which the LIRR would study expanding the yard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-12 |title=Long Island Rail Road to explore storing more trains at Port Washington rail yard |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/port-washington-parking-lirr-gs8zbxfp |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> At the North Hempstead Town Council meeting that day (where the MOU was unanimously approved), North Hempstead Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte stated, in response to a question from a member of the public, that she and Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena had expressed the concern as to whether or not there would be any service improvements from this project to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Dalimonte said they asked the MTA to ensure that services would be expanded if the project is completed, but the MTA said they could not guarantee it.<ref name="Oakes 2024" />

As of September 2024, the Long Island Rail Road was in the process of acquiring the land needed to expand the yard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-17 |title=LIRR To Acquire Land for Third Track at Port Washington |url=https://www.rtands.com/passenger/lirr-to-acquire-land-for-third-track-at-port-washington/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Railway Track and Structures |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Port Washington (LIRR station)}} {{LIRR links}} * Unofficial LIRR History Website Photos ** {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010612175046/http://www.lirrhistory.com/jul99/pw4.jpg July 1999 Photo]}} ** December 2006 Photos *** {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102354/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash02.jpg Tracks 4 & 3]}} and {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102406/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash03.jpg Station House from the end of the platforms]}} *** {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102415/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash12.jpg Station House and Bicycle Racks]}} near the {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102411/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash11.jpg Historic Port Washington Directory]}} *** {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102421/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash13.jpg Franklin Avenue pedestrian bridge over storage tracks]}} *** {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102427/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash14.jpg View of Willowdale Avenue Bridge]}} *** {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102432/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash16.jpg Station view from]}} {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102437/http://www.lirrhistory.com/dec2006a/portwash17.jpg Pedestrian Bridges between Platforms]}} * [http://thelirrtoday.blogspot.com/2013/05/port-washington-yard-reconguration.html Port Washington Yard Reconfiguration (The LIRR Today)] * [https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.829422,-73.687105&spn=0.003669,0.010986&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.830638,-73.687856&panoid=cNJ9QMtS9PUNxWFnFZ7wfg&cbp=12,152.3,,0,5 Station House from Google Maps Street View] * [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8294411,-73.6875916,3a,75y,29h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-jGP_oZIwzCU%2FWUtR_YU4Y2I%2FAAAAAAAAtmI%2F0lpf3L03ckkFpe40OmiLcfriFz8rr258gCLIBGAYYCw!2e4!6s%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2F-jGP_oZIwzCU%2FWUtR_YU4Y2I%2FAAAAAAAAtmI%2F0lpf3L03ckkFpe40OmiLcfriFz8rr258gCLIBGAYYCw%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i8704!8i4352 Platforms from Google Maps Street View] * [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8303032,-73.6877975,3a,75y,91h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-wESSLfwII4s%2FWUtSBMoASSI%2FAAAAAAAAtmQ%2FdpK0UokJkxIBpmtyoQtJr9AKkyreznA0ACLIBGAYYCw!2e4!6s%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2F-wESSLfwII4s%2FWUtSBMoASSI%2FAAAAAAAAtmQ%2FdpK0UokJkxIBpmtyoQtJr9AKkyreznA0ACLIBGAYYCw%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i8704!8i4352 Waiting Room from Google Maps Street View]

Category:Port Washington, New York Category:Cow Neck Peninsula Category:Long Island Rail Road stations in Nassau County, New York Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1898 Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1898 Category:1898 establishments in New York (state)