Same here. Back in the '70s they still ran freight. We'd run along the platform and grab a ladder and ride the train to the end of the platform. Crazy things kids do.

TSW 3 and 4 too

I saw that also.

Also, trains don't derail by trailing through and breaking switches. They do derail by picking switches in the facing direction. So even if this had been a switch that was broken by the train, it would only derail a train going the other way.

I was wondering the same thing

It's a spring swicth

It must be a spring switch. If you go Jamaica bound, the flanges squeeze the rails against the springs. However, if you go into Hempstead, you would always end up going into the track to our left, apparently the default track at non busy time, unless there is an electric motor for CTC to electrically switch the track. I can't see the electric switch motor, but it would have to exist somewhere in order to get into the track that we pulled out of. When they want to save the dispatcher from switching the track over and over and over, and to save on the electric motor, they put in spring switch to always put trains over into the west side track. At non busy times, the dispatcher could leave the bloody switch alone, as it switches itself. They had a few of these on the CN Bala Subdivision north of Toronto, but I believe that they are going out of favor ? Aarre Peltomaa of Mississauga, Ontario

I have. Looking to do another run at better quality. Thinking sometime next week, either that or Port Washington.

Afraid not. I was at the Railroad Museum in Riverhead.

Automatic Safety Switch. Snaps over when the train trails through it.

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@Daniel C. No, spring switches snap back. Safety switches snap over but don't go back on their own.

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That's why there is the Wheel Truing facility at Richmond Hill.

This is the Hempstead branch, not West Hempstead branch

Look up?