Interlocking Walkthrough: LOCUST

It's actually been quite a while since I've done an interlocking walkthrough, so today, I decided to come back and finish 

Photo: Edward Hand

LOCUST interlocking is one of those very straightforward interlockings, as it's simply where the Oyster Bay Branch becomes single track for the culminating stretch to Oyster Bay.

LOCUST interlocking was originally put into service in 1912 as OY, but later got changed to it's current name. There was formally an in service control tower that controlled the interlocking, but on November 17, 1975, control of the interlocking got moved over to NASSAU tower. However, LOCUST tower still stands to this day and is actually used as a police booth for the NCPD. 

LOCUST interlocking consists of the old "pensy-style" position-light signals. Eventually, these will be replaced with the more modern signals as the LIRR looks to move control of everything to Jamaica.

The speed limit through the eastern end of the interlocking onto the final curvy stretch to Oyster Bay is 40 m.p.h.

And that shall conclude the simple but important LOCUST interlocking.

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.