Merrick (LIRR station)

Merrick
Merrick Station as seen from Sunrise Highway.
Location	Sunrise Highway between Hewlett & Merrick Avenues Merrick, New York
Coordinates
Owned by	Long Island Rail Road
Line(s)
Platforms	1 island platform
Tracks	2
Construction
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	7
History
Opened	1867 (SSRRLI)
Rebuilt	1885, 1902, 1969-1975
Electrified	May 20, 1925 750 V (DC) third rail
Traffic
Passengers (2006)	6,767
Services
Preceding station   LIRR   Following station Freeport toward New York terminals Babylon Branch Bellmore toward Babylon

Merrick is a station on the Babylon Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It is officially located on Sunrise Highway, between Hewlett Avenue and Merrick Avenue, in Merrick, New York. However, the parking areas for the station expand well beyond the given location.

History

Merrick station is typical of the elevated Babylon Branch stations that were rebuilt during the mid-to-late 20th Century. What's not so typical are its origins. The station was originally built on October 28, 1867 by the South Side Railroad of Long Island, but in 1869, it was expanded into a hotel built by SSRRLI President Charles Fox. This hotel was burned to the ground in 1908. A second depot was built in 1885 and a third was built in 1902. The station was razed in June 1969 as part of the grade elimination project. A temporary station was installed on December 4, 1970, but the elevated fourth station wasn't opened until June 28, 1975.

Platform and track configuration

1	■ Babylon Branch	toward New York (Freeport)
2	■ Babylon Branch	toward Babylon (Bellmore)

This station has one 12-car-long high-level island platform serving trains in both directions. A 10-car-long awning exists, with the easternmost part of the platform uncovered. The rail line has two tracks at this location. Each Fall, this railroad station, like Bellmore station plays host to a Street Festival/Fair courtesy of Merrick Chamber of Commerce.

Service

During the AM rush, some westbound run express to Penn Station after Merrick station. During the PM rush, Merrick is the first stop on some express trains originating at Penn Station en route to Wantagh station.

External links

• Official LIRR station information page for Merrick
• Station timetable for Merrick
• Merrick Station Clock (Merrick Chamber of Commerce)
• Merrick Station as seen from Sunrise Highway (Steve Alpert's Roads.net)
• Merrick Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View
• Station House from Google Maps Street View
• Hewlett Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View