LIRR Peak Service Disrupted through Thursday

The LIRR revised its timetable for when peak service will return to normal following Sunday's Amtrak train derailment, telling customers  it expects to have the East River Tunnel back online by Friday morning’s rush.

Originally, the LIRR told customers that the delays and cancelations due to Amtrak’s clearing and repair of the tunnel – which has affected peak service on many lines including the Babylon branch – would continue through Wednesday.

A total of 22 of the 98 trains normally running into Penn Station were canceled, terminated or diverted Wednesday morning.

LIRR President Helena E. Williams said in a statement on the website, “The LIRR is confident that Amtrak and its employees are making every effort under difficult working conditions in the tunnel to complete the necessary repairs as quickly as possible. I want to thank our customers for their patience as Amtrak completes the work to restore the tunnel back to service.”

Customers should continue to check on service before heading to train stations, said railroad officials, by monitoring the MTA website.

They can also contact the LIRR's Travel Information Center at 718-217-5477 (718-217-LIRR). Hearing imp