LIRR to Continue Reduced Service Wednesday

For Long Island Rail Road commuters, Wednesday is likely to run about as smooth as Tuesday.

The railroad is once again canceling 25 percent of its westbound trains during the morning rush as workers continue repairs on a switching system near Jamaica Station that was damaged in an electrical fire Monday morning.

The ride home Wednesday is expected to get marginally better for commuters, with the LIRR running about 66 percent-compared to 60 percent Tuesday-of its regular 127 trains during the evening rush from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

LIRR President Helena Williams posted a statement on the railroad's website Tuesday night entitled "An Apology to Our Customers."

"We understand your frustration and are grateful for your patience throughout this process," Williams said.

"At this time the LIRR continues to determine the extent of the damage and take steps to fully restore service safely," she added. "Repairs are underway and will continue around the clock for the next several days until the entire signal and switch system is operational."

On Wednesday morning, 33 westbound trains, of the 144 that normally operate, will be canceled. Those trains include:

• The 6:57 a.m. Freeport train due in Penn Station at 7:40 a.m.

• The 7:29 a.m. Freeport train due in Penn Station at 8:13 a.m.

• The 8:08 a.m. Freeport train due in Penn Station at 8:50 a.m.

• The 8:25 a.m. Freeport train due in Penn Station at 9:08 a.m.

• The 6:15 a.m. Babylon train due in Atlantic Terminal at 7:27 a.m.

• The 8:16 a.m. Babylon train due in Penn Station at 9:31 a.m.

• The 8:35 a.m. Babylon train due in Penn Station at 9:37 a.m.

• The 5:18 a.m. Wantagh train due in Penn Station at 6:08 a.m.

On Wednesday evening, the following Babylon Branch trains will be canceled:

• The 3:34 p.m. train from Penn Station due in Wantagh at 4:29 p.m.

Commuters will be able to exit or board trains at Jamaica Station, however trains stopping at Jamaica will not be held for scheduled connections to/from Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal, Hunterspoint Avenue and Long Island City, LIRR officials said.

More than 200 wires need to be checked for possible damage from the fire, which started around 11 a.m. at a control tower just east of Jamaica Station.  Once the repairs are completed, intricate and thorough testing must be performed on the switches and signals, officials said. 

Officials said the cause of the fire was still under investigation, but it appeared to be weather-related.