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LIRR Train Derailment Delays to Last Days

By on March 19, 2013
LIRR crews worked overnight in rain and sleet to re-rail a derailed train in Queens, on March 19, 2013. (MTA / Patrick Cashin.)

LIRR crews worked overnight in rain and sleet to re-rail a derailed train in Queens, on March 19, 2013. (MTA / Patrick Cashin.)

A Long Island Rail Road train derailment Monday night damaged a stretch of tracks west of the Jamaica station, requiring repairs that are expected to disrupt service for the next several days.

Eleven regularly scheduled LIRR trains were canceled and five were diverted to Brooklyn during the Tuesday morning rush-hour commute while crews work to removed the train and began the track repairs.

“I couldn’t tell you how long this may take, but it will not be over today,” said Aaron Donavan, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He’s hopeful that there will fewer delays and cancellations during the Tuesday evening commute.

Donovan said about 3,700 feet of third rail will have to be replaced along with a stretch of track and about 1,600 concrete ties.

No passengers were aboard the westbound eight-car train destined for Penn Station when the last four cars derailed in Rego Park at about 9 p.m. Monday.

The crew members aboard were not injured. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

For more information, riders can call 511 or visit www.mta.info/lirr

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Timothy Bolger Timothy Bolger (453 Posts)

Timothy Bolger is the News/Web Editor for the Long Island Press who’s been working to uncover unreported stories for the paper since shortly after it launched in 2003. When he’s not editing, getting hassled by The Man or fielding cold calls to the newsroom, he covers crime, general interest and political news daily online with longer, sometimes investigative features in the monthly print edition. He won’t be happy until everyone is as pissed off as he is about how Lawn Guyland is screwed up.