LIRR riders face some delays during commute after derailment

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (WABC) -- LIRR train riders dealt with scattered delays Thursday morning as workers cleared a derailed freight train in Westbury.

They finished removing the two derailed cars that have caused two days of cancellations and delays.

The derailed freight cars were blocking one of the two tracks that are shared by trains on the Long Island Rail Road Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson branches. Trains started using the tracks again Wednesday intermittently.

While this work was underway, LIRR schedules were adjusted to provide as much service as possible given the reduced capacity.

In restoring the track back to service, LIRR work crews unloaded tons of construction debris from the freight car that had toppled on to its side, and removed both the car and its wheel assemblies from the track area.

The track, including the electrified third rail, was then rebuilt. After re-railing the second freight car, LIRR personnel worked through the night to remove the re-railed car from the site, and rebuild the damaged track and third rail in that area, as well.

Customers are reminded to monitor the LIRR's website, www.mta.info/lirr, the LIRR's TrainTime App and media reports for the most up-to-date LIRR service information.

No injuries were reported in the derailment.

It is unclear what caused the cars to derail.