Naming of Port Jefferson Branch Interlockings

In the 1960's and 70's the LIRR embarked on a major series of projects on the Port Jefferson Branch.  Back in the day, the Port Jefferson Branch was no more than a minor diesel branch not unlike the Montauk Branch is today.  However, double-tracking, electrification, and signalization were brought to the Port Jefferson branch and ridership improved tremendously with the increased service.

During all of this new construction and the like, the LIRR constructed eight entirely new interlockings along the branch.  And whenever new interlockings come into existence they somehow have to get a name.  For the new Port Jefferson Branch interlockings, the LIRR decided to name all of them after various retired LIRR crew members.  Below are the eight new interlockings that came online as part of the Port Jefferson Branch improvement projects, in order from west to east.

• AMOTT interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR engineers Joseph H., Jr., Charles A., and James A. Amott. (East of Syosset)
• BURKE interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR track foreman Patrick Burke. (west of Huntington, later renamed HUNT 1)
• COREY interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR engineer Benjamin C. Corey. (east of Huntington, later renamed HUNT 3)
• DUKE interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR conductor Henry L. Duke.  (East of Northport, later renamed DUKE 1)
• EVANS interlocking.  Named after the late LIRR train dispatcher Thomas B. Evans.  (East of Northport, later renamed DUKE 2)
• FOX interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR conductor Walter Fox. (West of Kings Park, later renamed FOX 1)
• GREEN interlocking. Named after the late LIRR engineer Frederick W. Green (East of Kings Park, later renamed FOX 2)
• HARE interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR conductor James Hare (West of Smithtown, later renamed POST 1)
• POST interlocking.  Named after retired LIRR signal department circuit engineer Howell B. Post (East of Smithtown, later renamed POST 2)

One thing I always like to point out, as almost everybody who looks at the Port Jefferson Branch interlockings misses it, is that all of the interlocking names were named in alphabetical order.  From AMOTT to POST, all of the interlocking names follow the alphabet straight through.  It's a neat little piece of LIRR trivia that will hopefully come in handy next time you're having a conversation at a party.

Over the years, most of the interlocking names were simplified so that the switches to either side of stations had the same names.  Later on, HUNT 2, STONY 1, STONY 2, and JEFF interlockings were all added in as service and signalization was expanded.  Today, the branch doesn't necessarily have the same alphabetic flow with HUNT messing the order up between AMOTT and DUKE, but DUKE through STONY still remains in tact!