The part north of the crossing of the old Southern Railroad of Long Island at Springfield Junction is now part of the Montauk Branch, while the rest has been abandoned in favor of the ex-Southern Far Rockaway Branch.

In exchange for completing it, the LIRR agreed to lease the line on March 2, 1871.

It opened from the Main Line south to Springfield Gardens on June 21, 1871,[2] and to Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway on May 14, 1872.

[4] The line between Springfield Junction and Cedarhurst has been rebuilt and abandoned twice, with electrification, first between 1905 and 1908 to help relieve the traffic off the Far Rockaway Branch; however, for unknown reasons the branch was never put into revenue service and instead was used to route equipment.

[6] A right of way is preserved along the northern boundary of North Woodmere Park, with no development taking place where the rail line once was.