Long Island

Termini: Garden City - Kissena Corridor Location Map Code: 10-l

A. Approximate length 9 miles

B. Approximate width 66 feet

C. General Conditions

Historically, the line ran from the main line in Bellrose to the Port Washington Branch in Flushing. However, title was lost on October 8, 1879 for that portion from approximately 235th Street to its intersection with the Port Washington Branch at Flushing.

The abandoned area has been improved with parklands and homes, etc. throughout its length. The balance of the line from 235th Street to Route 25 is approximately 1 1/2 miles long. The approximate width of the Right of Way is 66 feet. However, in some places it appears to be wider.

The general condition of the roadbed is good. There appeared to be no evidence of any washouts, landslides or flooding, There may be some encroachments since some gardens and fencing of the Railroad property by the abutting residences were noted.

All Railroad facilities, with the exception of a portion of a trestle at the Jericho Turnpike, have been removed. It is my understanding that a future State contract is scheduled to demolish this structure in 1972 (P.I.N. 0527.00).

The Registrar's office in Queens indicated that portions of the line have been sold to various individuals, as follows:

Miriam BiskinsJuly 2, 1948Liber 5684 Pages 84,87,91
J. A. Wigmore Land Co.April 26, 1940Liber 4199 Page 321
J. A. Wigmore Land Co.April 26, 1940Liber 4311 Page 515
Miriam BiskinsMay 18, 1948Liber 5592 Page 583
Mastro Construction Co.June ll, 1954Liber 6690 Page 648Cons. $15,000
H & J Sarno and DeAngelisFebruary 7, 1963Liber 7498 Page 221Cons. $500
D. J. HigginsFebruary 18, 1958Liber 7043 Page 158Cons. $700
F. FitzgeraldJuly 31, 1958Liber 7089 Page 425Cons. $1000

According to officials, the balance of the property remaining in Railroad ownership is presently being negotiated to sales.

The area through which the line passes is improved with single family and multi-family residences. Some businesses are noted.

The recreational possibilities of the route are nil. The line is in close proximity to the Jericho Turnpike, Belt Parkway and Hillside Avenue.


Long Island

Termini: West Hempstead - Mineola Location Map Code: 10-2

A. Approximate length 2.9 miles

B. Approximate width 50 to 70 feet

C. General Conditions

The general condition of the road bed is level and is overgrown from Hempstead Turnpike north to St. James Street. From St. James Street north to llth Street, the tracks are still in place. From llth Street north to the Mineola Station of the Long Island Railroad, the tracks have been removed. This section is not owned by the Long Island Railroad and it will become a parking area for Bloomingdale's Department Store. Approximately 1600 feet of Right of Way was sold by the Long Island Railroad to the Garden City Company in 1965. (Liber 7230 Page 142) Long Island Railroad Right of Way from 11th Street to one block north of Old Country Road was put up for bid May 14, 1971. All abutting owners were notified by the Long Island Railroad and also anyone who displayed an interest in the property.

The nature of the terrain through which this Right of Way passes varies from Residential to light Industrial and Commercial and the Residential neighborhood is in the $50,000 to $150,000 class. The principal land use of abutting properties is Residential, light Industrial and Commercial.

The recreational possibilities of this route may be limited since for the most part the road runs through a fairly exclusive section of West Hempstead and Garden City and some opposition may arise. Proximity to existing transportation facilities is excellent since bus lines and railroad stations are nearby.

In 1969 the County of Nassau proposed using this abandoned railroad Right of Way for a County Road. It was called County Boulevard and the original consideration for building this dates back to 1955. A public hearing was held on May 9, 1969 and the opposition from the residents of the immediate area prompted the Nassau Public Works Commission to state that the improvement would not be built.


Long Island

Termini: Port Jefferson - Wading River Location Map Code: 10-3

A. Approximate length 10 miles

B. Approximate width 66 feet

C. General Conditions

The general condition of the line is good. No evidence of any washouts, landslides, flooding or encroachments were noted.

All structures owned by the Railroad were removed.

The records of the County Clerk's office in Suffolk County revealed that the line for the most part was sold to the Leland Corporation on January 9, 1940 Liber 2086, Page 98 for a consideration of $6,000 The Leland Corporation is the Real Estate branch of the Long Island Lighting Co.

The nature of the terrain through which the line passes is rolling and at grade. The land use category of abutting owners in general, runs from unimproved, to farm land and developed Residential properties. The subject property has been improved throughout its length by the Long Island Lighting Company with high tension lines supported by twin towers at least 50 feet high and also with a supported transmission line on wooden poles.

The recreational possibilities of the route are nil. However, some evidence that the Right of Way is being used by trail bikes can be seen. The line is in close proximity to a major East West Highway, State Route 25A.


Long Island

Termini: Eastport - Manorville Location Map Code: l0-4

A. Approximate length 506 miles

B. Approximate width 50 feet

C. General Conditions

The general condition of the line as noted at East Moriches Road, at South Street, Bruer Avenue, North and South sides of the long Island Expressway and at the Manorville Station was good. There appeared to be no washouts nor were there any landslides or evidence of flooding in the area. No encroachments were seen along the route. Some natural growth was noted but by and large the line was clear, The line appears to be about 3 to 5 feet above the grade of the surrounding area.

No railroad structures or facilities of any kind were seen. From the observed condition of the road bed, the structures were probably removed some time ago.

The terrain is level and wooded for the most part and appears to skirt some farms in several places. According to the records in the Suffolk County Clerk's office, substantially all of the line from Eastport to Manorville was sold to the County of Suffolk on February 5, 1954, Liber 3o7o, Page No. ll3. The consideration was $4,800. In general, the abutting properties are undeveloped and heavily wooded with scrub oaks.

The recreational possibilities of the route could be best suited for trail bike or horse back riding trails. The roadbed is in close proximity to two major East West arteries. The Long Island Expressway and the Sunrise Highway and one North South County Road, the East Moriches Riverhead Road.

According to the Planning Department for the County of Suffolk the purchase of this line was for the purpose of building County Road No. 91 from Eastport to Manorville. I am advised that this project is not scheduled for the immediate future.


Long Island

Termini: West of Meadowbrook Parkway - Farmingdale Location Map Code: 10-5

A. Approximate length 6.2 miles

B. Approximate width 65 feet

C. General Conditions

The approximate length is 6.2 miles and runs from West of Meadowbrook Parkway East to Farmingdale. The approximate width of the Right of Way is 65 feet. The general condition of the Right of Way is level and partly overgrown with vegetation.

The entire length of the Right of Way is now leased to the Long Island Lighting Company and is used by them for high transmission power lines, carried on overhead towers. The high transmission lines are underground in that area that crosses Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. All Railroad tracks, Railroad ties, Signal Facilities etc. have been removed and it does not appear that any part of this Right of Way is owned by private individuals, but there are certain areas that are being used for recreational purposes, ie: baseball diamonds etc.

The nature of the terrain through which this Right of Way passes is a County Park, mostly Residential area and a few Commercial areas. The principal land use of abutting properties is for Residential purposes. The recreational possibilities will probably be opposed, since the abutting properties are primarily Residential.

Proximity to existing transportation facilities would be covered by many North and South bus routes. A few years ago the County proposed a transit Expressway for this abandoned Right of Why, but nothing ever came of it.


Long Island

Termini: Bridgehampton - Sag Harbor Location Map Code: l0-6

A. Approximate length 4.8 miles

B. Approximate width 66 feet

C. General Conditions

The line was approximately 4.8 miles long. Its principal termini on the South was et Bridgehampton and on the North the Incorporated Village of Sag Harbor. The approximate width of the Right of Way was 66 feet.

The general condition of the line noted at 3 points was good. There appeared to be no washout, landslide, or any evidence of flooding or encroachments. Very little overgrowth could be seen. All Railroad structures had been previously removed.

At a specific location, part of the old roadbed appears to make up a portion of the front lawn of a residence. It appears the occupants purchased this area from the Railroad. The County Clerk's office in Suffolk County was checked and indicated that the entire line was sold to various individuals, as follows:
Roy P. & Carolyn E. DippeeNovember 20, 1945Liber 2512 Page 542Consid. $2,500
James McMahonApril 19, 1946Liber 2629 Page 299Consid. $400
Long Island Lighting CompanySeptember 13, 1946Liber 2635 Page 542Consid. $500
James McMahonJuly 3, 1945Liber 2524 Page 280Consid. $1,500

The terrain through which the line passes is level and at grade, The abutting properties for the most part are unimproved woodlands. In one section there are some homes.

In the area there are several small lakes so that the recreational possibilities of these lakes could be more accessible to the general public, if the line were to be utilized as bicycling and horse back riding trails. The line is also in close proximity to the Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, a heavily traveled County Road.


Staten Island Rapid Transit

Termini: St. George Clifton Junction - South Beach Location Map Code: 10-7

A. Approximate length 2 miles

B. Approximate width 66 feet

C. General Conditions

The south Beach line or the Staten Island Rapid Transit originally ran from St. George to South Beach. The section between South Beach and Rose Bank, a distance of approximately 2 ½ miles with an average width of 66 feet was abandoned many years ago, but is still owned by the Staten Island Rapid Transit (subsidiary or the B & O Railroad). The general condition of this abandoned Right of Way is now overgrown and the area is covered with debris. There are trestles and over-passes wherever the Right of Way crosses an intersection and most of the Right of Way is in a depressed section and the embankments have eroded through the years. All Railroad tracks and ties and train signals have been removed but the decrepit remains of station platforms and poles remain. (Our planning section is aware of this abandoned R.O.W.)

There is no private ownership of the Right of Way. The terrain appears to be level for the most part. The abutting properties are mostly Residential and the Right of Way runs through built up areas, a small part of which is Industrial.

It appears that this abandoned Right of Way could be used for recreational purposes such as bicycle paths, etc., but some opposition may arise since most of the Right of Way abuts the rear yards of Residential properties.

Many bus lines and crossroads traverse the Right of Way so connecting transportation can be considered good.