By Philip Newman
The Long Island Rail Road said Tuesday it would cancel seven and divert one of the 128 trains it normally provides in the afternoon and evening rush hour because of track damage caused by a derailment Monday night west of the Forest Hills station in Queens.
Because of heavy damage to a non-passenger train track repair will take several days and LIRR riders should expect some morning and afternoon peak cancellations through Friday.
The LIRR said repair crews have put two of the four derailed cars back on the track, but all must be back and removed before track work can get started.
The railroad said around 3,700 feet of track was damaged on one of the LIRR’s crucial four main tracks between Jamaica and Penn Station, limiting the LIRR’s ability to operate its normal compliment of rush hour trains.
LIRR personnel are working around the clock and preparing equipment so that the removal and replacing of damaged track, running rail and electrified third rail can begin. The job will also involve a specialized concrete track laying machine, which removes and replaces some 1,600 damaged ties.
For tonight’s peak, the following trains have been canceled or diverted:
Babylon Branch:
The 4:52 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Babylon at 5:55 p.m. Customers will be accommodated by the 5:03 p.m. train from Penn Station due at Wantagh at 5:53 p.m. with a stop at Rockville Centre and all local stops to Babylon.
The 5:19 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Wantagh at 6:06 p.m. has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 5:24 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Freeport at 6:10 p.m. with stops at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, Rockville Centre and all local stops to Wantagh.
The 5:40 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Seaford at 6:30 p.m. has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 5:47 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Freeport at 6:31 p.m. with a stop at Rockville Centre and all local stops to Seaford.
Far Rockaway Branch:
The 5:32 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Far Rockaway at 6:24 p.m. has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 5:49 p.m. train from Atlantic Terminal due in Far Rockaway at 6:46 p.m. Penn Station customers should take the 5:46 p.m. Huntington-bound train from New York to connect with the Far Rockaway train at Jamaica.
Long Beach Branch:
The 5:20 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Long Beach at 6:11 p.m. has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 5:23 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Long Beach at 6:18 p.m. with stops at Jamaica, Locust Manor, Laurelton, Rosedale, Valley Stream, Lynbrook and all local stops to Long Beach.
Port Jefferson Branch:
The 3:23 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Huntington at 4:33 p.m. has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 3:43 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Huntington at 4:49 p.m. with stops at Woodside, Jamaica, New Hyde Park and all local stops to Huntington.
The 5:47 p.m. train from Hunters Point Avenue due in Port Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. will instead originate from Jamaica Tuesday night at 6:07 p.m. Hunterspoint Avenue customers for this train will be accommodated by the 6:08 p.m. train from Hunterspoint Avenue, due in Port Jefferson at 8 p.m.
Port Washington Branch:
The 5:11 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Port Washington at 5:47 p.m. has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 5:14 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Great Neck at 5:45 p.m. with a stop at Bayside and all local stops to Port Washington, excluding Mets-Willets Point.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
