Bethpage Branch


The Bethpage Branch was a branch of the Long Island Rail Road, running from the present-day split between the Ronkonkoma Branch and Central Branch north about to present-day Old Bethpage, New York.

History

This branch was originally built by the Central Railroad of Long Island in June 1873, primarily for the purpose of serving Alexander Turney Stewart's local brick manufacturing plant, so he could deliver bricks for his project building the planned community of Garden City, New York. Several pickle factories near the brickyards also used the line to deliver their freight.
Though passenger usage was not part of the original plan, one passenger stop at each end of the branch was instituted. The passenger stop at the northern terminus of the branch was called Bethpage, located near present-day Winding Road and Battle Row. The stop at the southern end, called Bethpage Junction, was also a transfer point. From Bethpage Junction CRRLI trains went north to Bethpage, and southeast to Babylon and beyond. CRRLI trains went west towards Garden City, while LIRR trains went west to Jamaica, and east towards Ronkonkama.
Proposals to extend the branch north through Smithtown, Huntington and Port Jefferson were abandoned after amalgamation of the CRRLI with the LIRR in 1876. Designated a siding as of May 24, 1909, the Bethpage Branch was abandoned on November 10, 1942. Today, the former right-of-way in part is occupied by a bridle path and Thomas Powell Boulevard.

Stations