By Rich Bockmann
Straphangers can expect cancellations and delays during the Tuesday evening rush hour as crews repair damages left behind after a Long Island Rail Road train derailed under the East River Monday night, according to the MTA.
The agency said trains will run on schedule through the middle of the day, but things will start to slow down as commuters head home at the end of the day.
About 500 feet of track and eight switches were thought to have been damaged after two cars on the 10-car-long 5:51 p.m. LIRR train to Hempstead went off the track in one of Amtrak’s East River tunnels, the MTA said.
No injuries were reported and Amtrak, the LIRR and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration will investigate the cause of the derailment, the MTA said.
The agency said 34 out of 144 morning rush hour trains heading into Manhattan Tuesday morning were either canceled or rerouted, with the westbound Babylon Branch line most heavily affected. But eastbound trains on the Port Washington line also were delayed and at least one was canceled during the morning rush.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
