Interlocking Walkthrough: LOCUST

(Photo: MTA Facebook)

Today we'll check at LOCUST interlocking, another smaller interlocking being the only on the Oyster Bay Branch. LOCUST is a quaint little interlocking, located on the outer section of the Oyster Bay Branch, where the 2 tracks merge to 1 for the rest of the curvy route to Oyster Bay. Like on the Hempstead, Long Beach, and Port Washington branches, the line becomes double tracked after the eastern station.

Switches

LOCUST consists of one switch that merges the two tracks into 1. 

Towers

(Photo: Trains Are Fun)

There used to be a control tower at the interlocking also called LOCUST, however, in 1975, NASSAU tower took control of this lone little interlocking and the one and only tower on the Oyster Bay Branch was closed. The tower still remains to this day and is used for the NCPD. I'd hope they'd catch anyone trying to throw the switch!

Signals

Like many interlockings still on the LIRR, LOCUST interlocking still consists of the Pensy-style position light signals. 

Other than the control tower, there really isn't much else to talk about small little LOCUST. The speed limit through the interlocking is 40 mph. Which is fitting for the slow, and curvy Oyster Bay Branch.

Well that's it for LOCUST interlocking. Next week will be checking out AG interlocking, located in Amagansett, also located at the eastern edge, this time of the Montauk Branch.