Politics & Government

LIRR Trains Returning to Normal

Railroad says weekend service restored; holiday trains scheduled next week.

The Long Island Rail Road said Friday afternoon that its service would return to normal this weekend after several days of problems caused by a derailment. 

The restoration of service comes just in time for special service planned for holiday travel next week.

The derailment occurred between Jamaica and Penn Station, taking out one of four tracks that are heavily used throughout the day. Most of the repair work was scheduled during off peak hours. Repairs will continue this weekend but no impact is expected on weekend service.

Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The LIRR will return to regular AM/PM peak service starting Monday, following extensive repairs required by Monday’s derailment of a non-passenger train west of the Forest Hills station.

An extra eight eastbound trains will operate Monday from Penn between 2:08 p.m. and 3:48 p.m., for those leaving work early for Passover and Friday for passengers heading home for Good Friday. There will be three added trains on both the Babylon and Port Jefferson branches, and one each on the Port Washington and Far Rockaway branches. Pick up the March 4 timetable.

Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

LIRR crews have been repairing damage to approximately 3/4-mile of track. More than 1,540 damaged concrete ties have been replaced along with running rail. Some 3,700 feet of third rail, which provides the electricity needed to run most LIRR trains, also is being installed or repaired.

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.


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