David Morrison 128 pages softcover
East of Babylon, the 75-mile
segment of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stretching from Bay Shore
to Montauk is a non-electrified stretch of double-track to Sayville,
where it becomes single-track to Montauk. Presently, there are 16 active
passenger stations along the route. In years past, there was a total of
32 passenger stations and a signal tower. Several highly significant
historic events occurred at stations on this branch. At Montauk Station,
Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders disembarked for quarantine upon
return from Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At Amagansett Station,
Nazi spies purchased train tickets in 1942 for travel to New York City
with the intent to engage in acts of sabotage. It was at Westhampton
Station that valiant firefighters prevented the building from being
destroyed during the 1995 Long Island wildfire. During summer months,
ridership on the east end of the branch increases dramatically in order
to serve persons vacationing at east end resorts, where they can enjoy
quaint shops and the beautiful beaches.
