View source for IND Rockaway Line

{{short description|New York City Subway line}}
{{about|the New York City Subway line|the former Long Island Rail Road branch to the Rockaways from the north (Rego Park and Glendale)|Rockaway Beach Branch}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name = IND Rockaway Line
|image = {{rint|nycs|A|size=50}} {{rint|nycs|S|size=50}}
|image_width = 175 px
|caption= The IND Rockaway Line is served by the [[A (New York City Subway service)|A]] and [[Rockaway Park Shuttle]].
|type = [[Rapid transit]]
|system = [[New York City Subway]]
|status =
|locale      = [[Queens]], [[New York City]]
|owner       = [[Government of New York City|City of New York]]
|operator    = [[New York City Transit Authority]]
|start = [[Aqueduct Racetrack station|Aqueduct Racetrack]]<hr/>
|end = {{ubl|[[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street station|Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street]] {{nowrap|(Rockaway Park Branch)}}|[[Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue station|Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue]] {{nowrap|(Far Rockaway Branch)}}}}
|stations = 14
|routes =
| daily_ridership = 10,661<ref name="ridership">{{NYCS const|riderref|weekday}}</ref><ref group=note>Ridership from Aqueduct Racetrack to Far Rockaway. Does not include the Rockaway Park section</ref><br> 1,273<ref name="ridership"/><ref group=note>Ridership for Rockaway Park section only</ref><br>11,934<ref name="ridership"/><ref group=note>Total ridership for entire line and both branches</ref>
|open = 1956–1958
|close =
|character = Elevated/Surface/Embankment
|stock       = 
|linelength  =
|tracklength =
| tracks = 2–4
|gauge       = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification =
|speed       =
|elevation   =
|map         ={{IND Rockaway Line|inline=1}}
|map_state   = collapsed
}}
The '''IND Rockaway Line''' is a [[rapid transit]] line of the [[Independent Subway System|IND]] Division of the [[New York City Subway]], operating in [[Queens]]. It branches from the [[IND Fulton Street Line]] at [[Rockaway Boulevard station|Rockaway Boulevard]], extending over the [[Jamaica Bay]], into [[Rockaway, Queens|the Rockaways]]. At its southern end in the Rockaways, the line has two branches: one traveling east to [[Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue station|Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue]] and one traveling west to [[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street station|Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street]]. The {{NYCS|A}} train serves the line on the Far Rockaway branch, as well as on the section north of Hammels Wye (where the two branches merge). The [[Rockaway Park Shuttle]] runs between [[Broad Channel station|Broad Channel]] and Rockaway Park. Five rush hour A trains provide service between Rockaway Park and [[Manhattan]] in the peak direction.

The line was built in 1880 as the New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad. Incorporated in 1877, the line was built to better serve the beach resorts in the Rockaways, cutting travel times by 30 minutes over the existing South Side Railroad route. Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains began using the branch that year by operating over its Montauk Division. The railroad was sold to the LIRR in 1887, and trains using the branch began serving Far Rockaway via a new connection to the old Far Rockaway Branch. The line south of Woodhaven Junction was electrified in 1905. The wooden trestle through Jamaica Bay was subjected to numerous fires, which damaged it. A fire on May 7, 1950, cut service on the middle of the line, but as the LIRR was bankrupt, it did not seek to restore service on the line. Service to Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park ran through Valley Stream, while service on the Rockaway Beach Branch terminated at Hamilton Beach.

The line was then purchased by the New York City Board of Transportation in 1952, and the line south of Ozone Park was taken out of service in June 1955 to allow for the line's conversion to subway service. On June 26, 1956, the line opened for subway service. A connection was built between to the IND Fulton Street Line at [[Liberty Avenue (New York City)|Liberty Avenue]] using the old Fulton Street Elevated line to allow for its use by the subway, and the line then became the IND Rockaway Line.

== Extent and service ==
The following services use part or all of the IND Rockaway Line:<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable" 
!colspan=2|Service
! colspan="6" |Between
|- style="text-align: center;" 
!width=10|&nbsp;
!Time period
![[Aqueduct Racetrack (IND Rockaway Line)|Aqueduct Racetrack]]<br>and<br>[[Broad Channel (IND Rockaway Line)|Broad Channel]]
!Broad Channel<br>and<br>[[Beach 67th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Beach 67th St]]
!Beach 67th St<br>and<br>[[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Far Rockaway]]
!Broad Channel<br>and<br>[[Beach 90th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Beach 90th St]]
!Beach 90th St<br>and<br>[[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Rockaway Park]]
!Beach 67th St<br>and<br>Beach 90th St 
|- style="text-align: center;" 
|rowspan=2|{{rint|newyork|A}}
|Rush peak
| rowspan="2" |service
| colspan="2" |most trains
| colspan="2" |limited service
| rowspan="3" |no service
|-style="text-align: center;" 
|Other times
| colspan="2" |service
| colspan="2" |no service
|-style="text-align: center;" 
|{{rint|newyork|sr}}
|All times
| colspan="1" |limited seasonal service
| colspan="2" |no service
| colspan="2" |service
|}
The north end of the Rockaway Line is a junction with the [[IND Fulton Street Line]] just east of [[Rockaway Boulevard (IND Fulton Street Line)|Rockaway Boulevard]]. The line starts out as tracks F3 and F4 and descend from an elevated structure to the surface. Then the right-of-way widens to be four tracks wide. Trains in service going south then diverge from F3, and go onto F1. Trains coming from the Rockaways merge from track F2 onto track F4. South of this point, track F4 is out of service, and track F3 can only be used by work trains as it is de-energized. The line then continues as a four track line, and south of [[Howard Beach–JFK Airport (IND Rockaway Line)|Howard Beach]], the tracks merge into two tracks. The line then passes over [[Jamaica Bay]] just to the east of Cross Bay Boulevard, on its own private right-of-way. Then the line passes over the North Channel Swing Bridge.<ref name="tracks2">{{NYCS const|trackref|trackbook3}}</ref> The crossing across Jamaica Bay between Howard Beach and [[Broad Channel (IND Rockaway Line)|Broad Channel]] is the longest distance between any two adjacent stations in the entire New York City Subway system.<ref name="asandy">{{cite web|title=Rebuilding the Rockaways After Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/RebuildingRockawaysAfterHurricanSandy.htm|work=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=November 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129020912/http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/RebuildingRockawaysAfterHurricanSandy.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Aerial view of Hammels Wye, July 2019.JPG|thumb|left|Aerial view of Hammels Wye]]
In 1997 to 1999, outer tracks were installed to the north of [[Broad Channel (IND Rockaway Line)|Broad Channel]] for between $5 million and $10 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/html/eye-nyct.htm |title=M31878 Install Relay Track Broad Channel Station Rockaway Line $5M - $10M |date=February 2, 1997 |website=mta.nyc.ny.us |publisher=New York City Transit |access-date=September 18, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970202045430/http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/html/eye-nyct.htm |archive-date=February 2, 1997  }}</ref> The track to the west of the original tracks, track F5, extends slightly less than two miles, or {{convert|10300|ft|m}}, and is used for testing of equipment.<ref name=asandy/><ref name="RailwayGaz-KineticEnergy-2004">{{cite news|last1=Tarrant|first1=Colin|title=Kinetic energy storage wins acceptance|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/kinetic-energy-storage-wins-acceptance.html|access-date=July 27, 2016|work=[[Railway Gazette International]]|date=April 1, 2004|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513144126/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/kinetic-energy-storage-wins-acceptance.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EPRI-DOE Handbook of Energy Storage for Transmission & Distribution Applications: Final Report, December 2003|url=http://www.sandia.gov/ess/publications/ESHB%201001834%20reduced%20size.pdf|publisher=[[Electric Power Research Institute]], [[United States Department of Energy]]|access-date=July 27, 2016|date=December 2003|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022054946/http://www.sandia.gov/ess/publications/ESHB%201001834%20reduced%20size.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Battery Power System for Trackside Energy Storage – Final Report|url=http://www.kawasakirailcar.com/media/56f0391d731ab.pdf|access-date=July 27, 2016|work=[[New York State Energy Research and Development Authority]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]]|date=October 2010|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818034850/http://www.kawasakirailcar.com/media/56f0391d731ab.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Handbook of Energy Storage for Transmission or Distribution Applications: Technical Update, December 2002|url=http://www.w2agz.com/Library/EPRI%20Sources%20%26%20Reports/%282002%29%20Handbook%20of%20Energy%20Storage%20for%20Transmission%20or%20Distribution%20Applications%2C%20EPRI%201007189.pdf|publisher=[[Electric Power Research Institute]]|access-date=July 27, 2016|date=December 2002|archive-date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919034744/http://www.w2agz.com/Library/EPRI%20Sources%20%26%20Reports/%282002%29%20Handbook%20of%20Energy%20Storage%20for%20Transmission%20or%20Distribution%20Applications%2C%20EPRI%201007189.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The track to the east of the original tracks, track F6, is used for reversing trains on the Rockaway Park shuttle,<ref name="MTA-ReviewAC-2015">{{cite web|title=Review of the A and C Lines|url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/pdf/AC_LineReview.pdf|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|access-date=January 19, 2016|date=December 11, 2015|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203061138/http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/pdf/AC_LineReview.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and is approximately as long as a standard full length train. This track allows the shuttle to turn around significantly faster than it had been able to do before, when it was forced to relay at [[Howard Beach–JFK Airport (IND Rockaway Line)|Howard Beach–JFK Airport]] or [[Euclid Avenue (IND Fulton Street Line)|Euclid Avenue]]. South of the Broad Channel station is a fixed span leading to the small Subway Island, followed by the Beach Channel Drawbridge, which does open regularly and can cause delays to service when it is open for marine traffic.<ref name="tracks2" />

South of the drawbridge is Hammels Wye, a three-legged junction with the respective Rockaway Park and Far Rockaway branches. The tracks from each branch connect to the tracks north of the wye with flying junctions. The Rockaway Park Branch turns to the west and the Far Rockaway Branch turns to the east. The third leg of the wye is a single track that connects the two branches together. This single track, track F6, is not currently used in revenue service. However, it was used as part of the Round Robin service that operated mostly during late nights between 1958 and 1988. It was also used for the temporary [[Rockaway Park Shuttle|H]] service after [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref name="tracks2" />

The Rockaway Park Branch, tracks F3 and F4, goes west via an elevated structure over the Rockaway Freeway before terminating at [[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street]]. Directly to the north of the station is a seven-track storage yard named Rockaway Park Yard. This yard stores the trains for the [[Rockaway Park Shuttle]]. To the south of the station is a single storage track.<ref name="tracks2" /> The Far Rockaway Branch, tracks F3A and F4A, goes east via an elevated structure over the Rockaway Freeway and terminates at a two-track terminal of Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue.<ref name="tracks2" />

{{clear left}}

== History ==
===Original railroad use===
[[File:A leaving Rock Beach Branch jeh.jpg|thumb|left|An {{NYCS|A}} train made up of [[R32 (New York City Subway car)|R32]] cars turns from the IND Rockaway Line towards the IND Fulton Street Line.]]
[[File:Installing concrete tie panels on Rockaway Line (11294107406).jpg|thumb|left|Construction work at [[Beach 60th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Beach 60th Street]]]]
[[File:Rockaway Line after Hurricane Sandy vc.jpg|thumb|left|Washed out track support after Hurricane Sandy]]
[[File:Subway Goes To Rockaway.gif|thumb|Subway Goes To Rockaway]]
Most of the Rockaway Line dates back to the 1880s when it was operated as the New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad;<ref name=QnsGazette-LIRRRkwy-2012 /> the Far Rockaway station had been in operation since 1869 as part of the South Side Railroad of Long Island.<ref name="Wave-LIRRRkwyPlaza-June2010">{{cite web|last1=Lucev|first1=Emil|title=Historical Views of the Rockaways: The old Far Rockaway Station Plaza, Mott and Central Avenues, 1922|url=http://www.rockawave.com/news/2010-06-18/Columnists/Historical_Views__of_the_Rockaways.html|website=[[Wave of Long Island|rockawave.com]]|publisher=[[Wave of Long Island|The Wave]]|access-date=June 29, 2015|date=June 18, 2010|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701100052/http://www.rockawave.com/news/2010-06-18/Columnists/Historical_Views__of_the_Rockaways.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1892, the line first saw service by the [[Long Island Rail Road]] from its [[Atlantic Branch]]. In the late 1890s, the Brooklyn Elevated Railway (later the [[Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company]]) received permission to operate elevated trains from Brooklyn on the line for beach access. The city soon began eyeing the line as popularity soared.<ref>{{cite news | work = [[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] | location = [[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, NY]] |title=L Trains to Rockaway|date = July 16, 1898|page=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work = [[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] | location = [[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, NY]] |title=New Rockaway Route Open|date = July 17, 1898|page=9}}</ref><ref name="last runs">{{cite web|url=http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR%20PASS%20Jun%2005.pdf |title=PRR Chronology, Discontinuance/Last Runs of Passenger Service |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316172434/http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR%20PASS%20Jun%2005.pdf |archive-date=March 16, 2006  }}&nbsp;{{small|(40.6&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]])}}, Edition of June 30, 2003</ref> Additionally, the [[Ocean Electric Railway]] used part of the line as a connection between the [[Far Rockaway Branch|Far Rockaway]] and [[Rockaway Beach Branch]]es.

Plans for the New York City Subway to take over the [[Long Island Rail Road]] (LIRR)'s Rockaway branches were put forth as early as 1932.<ref>{{cite web | title=The New York Times: Saturday December 23, 1933 | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=December 23, 1933 | url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1933/12/23/105834322.html?pageNumber=4 | access-date=July 16, 2016 | archive-date=October 6, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006133737/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1933/12/23/105834322.html?pageNumber=4 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The Long Island Rail Road's wooden trestle over [[Jamaica Bay]] often caught fire. A fire that started at 3:30 on a December night damaged 1,300 feet of the trestle. Service could not be resumed for several days because of a lack of available materials. Therefore, the railroad asked [[Green Bus Lines]] to provide service for passengers stranded at [[Broad Channel (IND Rockaway Line)|Broad Channel]] and [[The Raunt (LIRR station)|The Raunt]]. Another took place at The Raunt on December 15, 1948, delaying trains between nine and nineteen minutes during the morning rush hour. {{Convert|300|feet|meters}} of the trestle was destroyed during a July 4, 1949, fire, and morning rush hour service was delayed the following day. The worst fire, the one that sealed the fate of the line, took place on May 7, 1950. The fire burned all night and destroyed {{Convert|1800|feet|meters}} of the trestle between The Raunt and Broad Channel stations, and the estimated cost to repair it was $1 million. As a result, the LIRR deemed the line useless, and instead of repairing it, the LIRR decided to abandon the line in favor of their "land route" to Far Rockaway via [[Valley Stream (LIRR station)|Valley Stream]] in Nassau County.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|date=June 2006|title=Fifty Years of Subway Service to the Rockaways|url=https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/2006-06-bulletin|journal=New York Division Bulletin|publisher=New York Division, Electric Railroaders' Association|volume=49|issue=6|access-date=August 31, 2016|via=Issuu|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022061408/https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/2006-06-bulletin|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Subway conversion===
When the railroad made it clear that it was not planning to rebuild the line, the city bought the line on June 11, 1952, for $8.5 million. The LIRR needed the money for its big safety program, which cost $6 million. The [[New York City Board of Transportation]], operators of the subway system, started preparing contracts for the reconstruction of the line right after the sale went through.<ref name=":0" /> In total, $47.5 million was spent to rebuild the line and to convert it for subway use, something they were planning to do as far back as the [[Proposed New York City Subway expansion (1929–1940)|late 1920s]].<ref name="QnsGazette-LIRRRkwy-2012">{{cite web|last1=Bresiger|first1=Gregory|title=The Trains Stopped Running Here 50 Years Ago|url=http://www.qgazette.com/news/2012-07-18/Features/The_Trains_Stopped_Running_Here_50_Years_Ago.html|website=qgazette.com|publisher=Queens Gazette|access-date=July 3, 2015|date=July 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704120135/http://www.qgazette.com/news/2012-07-18/Features/The_Trains_Stopped_Running_Here_50_Years_Ago.html|archive-date=July 4, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-INDRkwyOpen-1956" /> As part of the construction to convert the line to subway use, two new steel swing bridges were built to cross the North and South Channels, and two artificial islands were built using sand from Jamaica Bay to provide a roadbed for the subway trestle.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/06/30/79390695.pdf|title = Subway is Adding 2 Islands to City — Realty Is Created in Jamaica Bay as Trestle Is Built for Rockaway Line|date = June 30, 1955|access-date = February 22, 2016|newspaper = New York Times|archive-date = October 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221006133737/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/06/30/79390695.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Rockawave-INDRkwyOpen-June281956" />{{rp|6}}<ref name=":0" />

Work was completed right before the 1956 summer season, but the power supply was inadequate. Because of a strike, the delivery of substation equipment was delayed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite report|title=Annual Report For The Year Ended June 30, 1957|date=October 1957|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|page=11}}</ref> Trains operated slowly across Jamaica Bay in order to conserve power. The newer [[R10 (New York City Subway car)|R10s]] were intended to operate over the line, but because they required more power than the [[R1–9 fleet]], the R1–9 fleet operated on the line instead. The line was incorporated into the [[Independent Subway System]] (IND) and connected to the [[IND Fulton Street Line]]. On June 28, 1956, service on the line began between Euclid Avenue and Rockaway Park at 6:38 PM and between Euclid Avenue and Wavecrest at 6:48 PM.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="NYTimes-INDRkwyOpen-1956">{{cite web|last1=Freeman|first1=Ira Henry|title=Rockaway Trains to Operate Today|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/06/28/84703811.pdf|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=June 29, 2015|date=June 28, 1956|archive-date=May 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520042015/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/06/28/84703811.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rockawave-INDRkwyOpen-June281956">{{cite news|title=First Train On Rockaway Line Runs This Afternoon|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 28, 1956|pages=[http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201956%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201956%2520–%25200350.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F43c772ea5053ba7a2fe1850240ed52cd#page=1 1], [http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201956%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201956%2520–%25200355.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F6b6ee609a1895c1f89ff0c622e5b3813#page=1 6]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TA's New Line To Rockaways Begins Today: Fifty Piece Band To Play as Special Train Makes First Run|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252023%2FForest%2520Parkway%2520NY%2520Leader%2520Observer%2FForest%2520Parkway%2520NY%2520Leader%2520Observer%25201955-1957%2FForest%2520Parkway%2520NY%2520Leader%2520Observer%25201955-1957%2520-%25200650.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F8150b004ade0565d32aa4d88b21d2892#page=1|access-date=August 16, 2016|work=The Leader-Observer|agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 28, 1956|page=1|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013152443/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252023%2FForest%2520Parkway%2520NY%2520Leader%2520Observer%2FForest%2520Parkway%2520NY%2520Leader%2520Observer%25201955-1957%2FForest%2520Parkway%2520NY%2520Leader%2520Observer%25201955-1957%2520-%25200650.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F8150b004ade0565d32aa4d88b21d2892#page=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=To Rockaways: Beach Trains In Operation|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252023%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Greenpoint%2520Daily%2520Star%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Greenpoint%2520Daily%2520Star%25201956-1957%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Greenpoint%2520Daily%2520Star%25201956-1957%2520-%25200241.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F147cd4c4e78bb11637387bbb8e8e3a06#page=1|access-date=August 16, 2016|work=Greenpoint Weekly Star|agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 29, 1956|page=2|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013152443/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%2023%2FBrooklyn%20NY%20Greenpoint%20Daily%20Star%2FBrooklyn%20NY%20Greenpoint%20Daily%20Star%201956-1957%2FBrooklyn%20NY%20Greenpoint%20Daily%20Star%201956-1957%20-%200241.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F147cd4c4e78bb11637387bbb8e8e3a06#page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Once the slow order was removed, the travel time from Euclid Avenue to Rockaway Park decreased from 40 to 28 minutes, and the travel time from Euclid Avenue to Wavecrest decreased from 44 to 32 minutes.<ref name=":0" />

In September 1956, the New York City Transit Authority announced that the Rockaway revenues were disappointing, as $15,000 was expected to be made every day during the summer, while only $7,000 was made. As a result, there was a $750,000 deficit.<ref name=":0" /> On January 27, 1957, as a result of low ridership, service was reduced from running on eight minute headways to Broad Channel to twelve minute headways. Since service alternated between Rockaway Park and Wavecrest, stations had a train every 24 minutes. The line was built to handle 100,000 daily passengers but was only carrying 6,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/01/24/archives/ind-will-reduce-rockaway-trains-intervals-at-broad-channel-to-be-12.html|title=IND WILL REDUCE ROCKAWAY TRAINS; Intervals at Broad Channel to Be 12 Minutes Instead of 8 Because of Losses|date=January 24, 1957|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 29, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143506/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/01/24/archives/ind-will-reduce-rockaway-trains-intervals-at-broad-channel-to-be-12.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A new station at [[Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue (IND Rockaway Line)|Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue]] opened on January 16, 1958, completing the Rockaway Line.<ref name="NYTImes-FarRkwyIND-Open-1958">{{cite web|title=New Subway Unit Ready: Far Rockaway IND Terminal Will Be Opened Today|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/01/16/83388071.pdf|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=June 29, 2015|date=January 16, 1958|archive-date=May 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520042015/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/01/16/83388071.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The completion of the new terminal was delayed due to the slow delivery of steel.<ref name=":1" />

===Later years===
The line charged a double fare south of Howard Beach which entailed the deposit of two tokens for those entering along the line or one token on exit for those arriving from other parts of the system. Passengers traveling only within the double-fare zone would request a special "refund ticket", entitling them to a refund upon exiting the system, either in cash or a token.<ref name=NYTimes-INDRkwyOpen-1956 /><ref name="Rockawave-INDRkwyOpen-June281956"/>{{rp|6}} The unpopular double fare was abolished on September 1, 1975, though it coincided with a system-wide fare increase, as well as an increase in tolls on the [[Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge]] and [[Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge]] to the Rockaways.<ref name="Raskin-RoutesNotTaken-2013">{{Cite Routes Not Taken}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Double Subway Fare To End September 1|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=August 7, 1975|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Beachcomber|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201977%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201977%2520-%25200427.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2Fa9a3e2589b07301fa6a87375ffeb665a#page=1|access-date=July 22, 2016|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=March 23, 1977|page=11|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013181253/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%2021%2FRockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%2FRockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201977%2FRockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201977%20-%200427.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2Fa9a3e2589b07301fa6a87375ffeb665a#page=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Burks|first1=Edward C.|title=Present Tokens Kept For Fares: Sales Until Monday Limited to 2 Per Person at Booths-20 Million Still Out|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1975/08/30/76597344.pdf|access-date=August 30, 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 30, 1975|archive-date=October 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006133735/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1975/08/30/76597344.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1986, the [[New York City Transit Authority]] launched a study to determine whether to close 79 stations on 11 routes, including the segment of the Rockaway Line south of Howard Beach, due to low ridership and high repair costs.<ref name="Brooke 1986 p781">{{cite web |last=Brooke |first=James |date=April 29, 1986 |title=Subway Aides to Weigh Cuts on 11 Routes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/29/nyregion/subway-aides-to-weigh-cuts-on-11-routes.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="n139526241">{{Cite news |last=Gordy |first=Margaret |date=1986-04-29 |title=MTA Studies Citywide Cuts in Subway Lines, Stations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-mta-studies-citywide-cuts-in-sub/139526241/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |work=Newsday |pages=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-mta-studies-citywide-cuts-in-sub/139526291/ 27]}}</ref> Numerous figures, including New York City Council member [[Carol Greitzer]], criticized the plans.<ref name="n139526241" /><ref name="Finder 1986 j495">{{cite web |last=Finder |first=Alan |last2=Connelly |first2=Mary |date=May 4, 1986 |title=The Region; On Shrinking The Subways |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/04/weekinreview/the-region-on-shrinking-the-subways.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

A significant service improvement on the Rockaway Line took effect in 1993, when direct late-night service between Far Rockaway (but not Rockaway Park) and Brooklyn and Manhattan began; previously, only shuttle or Round Robin service was provided during these hours, with a transfer at Euclid Avenue (the Rockaway Park branch remains a shuttle at all times, with a transfer at Broad Channel, although additional direct rush hour service is provided by a limited number of A trains).

The segment of the line between Howard Beach and the Rockaway Peninsula suffered serious damage during [[Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New York#Transportation|Hurricane Sandy]] and was out of service for several months.<ref name=asandy/> On November 20, 2012, a free shuttle designated as H replaced the Rockaway portion of the A service between [[Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue (IND Rockaway Line)|Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue]] and [[Beach 90th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Beach 90th Street]] via the Hammels Wye. On May 30, 2013, full service was restored.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MTAInsider/status/270625005337993216 |title=MTA's tweet on partially restoring the Rockaway shuttle |access-date=November 19, 2012 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308040013/https://twitter.com/MTAInsider/status/270625005337993216 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://alert.mta.info/sites/default/files/pdf/hurricane_recovery_map_bw_Nov_20_rock_shtl.pdf |title=Hurricane Sandy Recovery Service As of November 20 |access-date=November 19, 2012 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214340/http://alert.mta.info/sites/default/files/pdf/hurricane_recovery_map_bw_Nov_20_rock_shtl.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mta.info/news/stories/?story=878|title=MTA News {{!}} MTA|website=mta.info|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313175544/http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=878|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/train-service-restored-rockaways|title=MTA {{!}} news {{!}} A Train Service Restored to Rockaways|website=www.mta.info|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=June 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608214353/http://new.mta.info/train-service-restored-rockaways|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, a two-phase program of flood mitigation work along the Hammels Wye required further service disruptions. The first phase, from April 9 to May 18, suspended rush-hour A trips to Rockaway Park. The second phase, from July 2 to September 3, diverted all Far Rockaway A trips to Rockaway Park. In both phases, the shuttle ran from Rockaway Park to Far Rockaway.<ref>{{cite web | title=Train Change: A/ Shuttle Service to be Impacted Starting in April | website=THE ROCKAWAY TIMES - First and Free | date=March 8, 2018 | url=http://rockawaytimes.com/index.php/columns/3602-train-change-a-shuttle-service-to-be-impacted-starting-in-april | access-date=March 30, 2018 | archive-date=April 29, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429140113/http://rockawaytimes.com/index.php/columns/3602-train-change-a-shuttle-service-to-be-impacted-starting-in-april | url-status=live }}</ref>

During weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2016 and 2017, weekend service on the Rockaway Park Shuttle was extended from Broad Channel to [[Rockaway Boulevard (IND Fulton Street Line)|Rockaway Boulevard]] to allow passengers on both [[Ozone Park–Lefferts Boulevard (IND Fulton Street Line)|Lefferts Boulevard]] and Far Rockaway-bound A trains to transfer to the shuttle and shuttle passengers to transfer to more frequent Manhattan-bound A service at Rockaway Boulevard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2016/05/26/mta-adds-service-area-beaches-kick-summer-season|title=MTA - news - MTA Adds Service to Area Beaches to Kick Off the Summer Season|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824135017/http://www.mta.info/news/2016/05/26/mta-adds-service-area-beaches-kick-summer-season|url-status=live}}</ref> Since then, the seasonal extension has occurred on an annual basis.<ref>{{cite web | title=How to get to Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk on public transit | website=MTA | date=July 2, 2021 | url=https://new.mta.info/guides/beaches/rockaways | access-date=February 5, 2023}}</ref>

In 2022, the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) hired Schiavone to conduct repairs to the line.<ref name="McFadden2024">{{cite web |last=McFadden |first=Katie |date=September 16, 2024 |title=A Train Shutdown Tops September CB14 Meeting |url=https://www.rockawaytimes.com/a-train-shutdown-tops-september-cb14-meeting/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=THE ROCKAWAY TIMES – First and Free}}</ref> The next year, the MTA announced plans to reconstruct much of the Rockaway Line on the Rockaway peninsula. The first phase would entail repairing the South Channel Bridge and Hammels Wye structure.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schilling |first=John |date=June 19, 2023 |title=MTA presents 44-month Rockaway resiliency project to Community Board 14 – QNS |url=https://qns.com/2023/06/mta-rockaway-resiliency-project/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=QNS}}</ref> The project entailed demolishing and completely reconstructing about {{Convert|1600|ft}} of viaduct.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben |date=November 17, 2024 |title=Rockaway residents face wave of anxiety over upcoming A train shutdown |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/rockaway-residents-anxiety-a-train-shutdown-mta/ |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=amNewYork}}</ref> As a result, service between Howard Beach and the peninsula was suspended for 17 weeks starting January 17, 2025, and the shuttle ran fare-free between Rockaway Park and Far Rockaway. During the closure, there was shuttle bus service between Howard Beach and the Rockaways<ref name="McFadden2024" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Schilling |first=John |date=September 13, 2024 |title=MTA Previews 17-Week A Train Service Shutdown During CB14 Meeting |url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/mta-previews-17-week-a-train-service-shutdown-during-cb14-meeting/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The Wave - Rockaway&#039;s Newspaper since 1893}}</ref> and all trips from the LIRR's [[Far Rockaway station (LIRR)|Far Rockaway station]] to [[City Terminal Zone]] stations (and their corresponding return trips) were discounted to $2.75.<ref>{{cite web |last=Simko-Bednarski |first=Evan |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Rockaway, Queens commuters to get steep LIRR discounts, free shuttle during A Train outage |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/11/14/rockaway-queens-commuters-to-get-steep-lirr-discounts-free-shuttle-during-a-train-outage/ |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben |date=November 14, 2024 |title=LIRR from Far Rockaway to cost $2.75 during A train shutdown in Queens |url=https://www.amny.com/news/lirr-far-rockaway-fare-a-train-queens/ |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=amNewYork}}</ref> The project included the installation of {{convert|12|ft|m|-high|adj=mid}} barriers flanking the tracks on Broad Channel; a new "debris shield" along the line; and the replacement of the South Channel Bridge and {{convert|1500|ft}} of tracks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=May 11, 2025 |title=Wave barriers, a debris shield and cushioned tracks: Rockaway A train gets a new life |url=https://gothamist.com/news/wave-barriers-a-debris-shield-and-cushioned-tracks-rockaway-a-train-gets-a-new-life |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Gothamist}}</ref> Regular service resumed on May 19, 2025.<ref>{{cite web | title=A train service to Rockaways resumes after 4 month shutdown for repairs | website=CBS New York | date=May 19, 2025 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/rockaways-a-train-resumes-service-new-york/ | access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Simko-Bednarski | first=Evan | title=Rockaways, Queens subway service begins again on A train | website=New York Daily News | date=May 19, 2025 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/19/rockaways-queens-subway-service-begins-again-on-a-train/ | access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

In 2024, as part of a program to upgrade the [[signaling of the New York City Subway]], the MTA proposed installing [[communications-based train control]] (CBTC) on the Rockaway Line as part of its 2025–2029 Capital Program.<ref name="Andres2024">{{cite web |last=Andres |first=Czarinna |date=September 18, 2024 |title=MTA Unveils $68.4 Billion Capital Plan to Modernize NYC Transit – but Funding Questions Amid Congestion Pricing Pause Remain |url=https://www.amny.com/news/mta-revised-capital-plan-2024-congestion-pricing/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=amNewYork}}</ref><ref name="Burkett2024">{{cite web |last=Burkett |first=N.J. |date=September 18, 2024 |title=MTA Proposes Five-Year Capital Plan Wish List Including Replacing All Subway Cars |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/mta-proposes-year-capital-plan-wish-list-including-replacing-subway-cars/15321669/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Station listing==
{{NYCS service legend
| alltimes        = show
| allexceptrush   = 
| allexceptnights = 
| nightsonly      = 
| nightsweekends  = 
| weekdaysonly    = 
| rushonly        = 
| rushpeak        = show
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! Neighborhood <br> (approximate) 
! {{Access icon}}
! Station
! Services
! Opened
! Transfers and notes
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Ozone Park, Queens|Ozone Park]]
!colspan=5 style="background-color: silver;"|splits from the [[IND Fulton Street Line]] ({{NYCS Rockaway north|time=show}})
|-
| {{Access icon}} ↑
|{{stl|NYCS|Aqueduct Racetrack}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway Racetrack|time=full}}
|September 14, 1959
|Single side platform for northbound service only
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Aqueduct–North Conduit Avenue}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway north|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
|
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Howard Beach, Queens|Howard Beach]]
| {{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Howard Beach–JFK Airport}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway north|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
|Connection to {{rint|air|link=JFK Airport}} [[AirTrain JFK]]
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Broad Channel, Queens|Broad Channel]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Broad Channel}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway south|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
| [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q52/Q53 Select Bus Service]]
|-
!colspan=6 style="background-color: silver;"|Hammels Wye<br>splits to Far Rockaway Branch ({{NYCS Far Rockaway Broad Channel|time=show}}) & Rockaway Park Branch ({{NYCS Rockaway Park Broad Channel|time=show}})<br>with a connecting track between the two branches ({{NYCS Rockaway Hammels|time=show}})
|-
|colspan=6|&nbsp;
|-
!colspan=6 style="background-color: silver;"|Far Rockaway Branch
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Arverne, Queens|Arverne]]
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 67th Street}}
|{{NYCS Far Rockaway|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
| [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q52 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 60th Street}}
|{{NYCS Far Rockaway|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
| [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q52 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Edgemere, Queens|Edgemere]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 44th Street}}
|{{NYCS Far Rockaway|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
|
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 36th Street}}
|{{NYCS Far Rockaway|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
|
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Far Rockaway, Queens|Far Rockaway]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 25th Street}}
|{{NYCS Far Rockaway|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
|
|-
| {{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue}}
|{{NYCS Far Rockaway|time=show}}
|nowrap|January 16, 1958 (subway)
|
|-
|colspan=6|&nbsp;
|-
!colspan=6 style="background-color: silver;"|Rockaway Park Branch
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Rockaway Beach, Queens|Rockaway Beach]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 90th Street}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway Park|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
| [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q52 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 98th Street}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway Park|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
| [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q53 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Rockaway Park, Queens|Rockaway Park]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Beach 105th Street}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway Park|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
|
|-
|{{Access icon}}
|nowrap|{{stl|NYCS|Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street}}
|{{NYCS Rockaway Park|time=show}}
|June 28, 1956 (subway)
| [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q53 Select Bus Service]]
|}

{{Clear}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{attached KML|display=inline,title}}
*{{Commons category inline}}
*[http://www.nycsubway.org/lines/rockaway.html IND Rockaway Line (NYC Subway.org)]

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[[Category:New York City Subway lines]]
[[Category:Railroad lines in Rockaway, Queens]]
[[Category:Rockaway, Queens]]
[[Category:Independent Subway System]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1956]]