LIRR derailment: Full service returns in time for Monday evening's commute

NEW HYDE PARK, Long Island (WABC) -- Full service on the LIRR resumed in time for Monday evening commute after a Long Island Rail Road train derailed over the weekend, causing major impacts to service.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the restoration of service at about 3 p.m. Monday.

A 12-car commuter train and a work train performing track maintenance were traveling the same direction when they side-swiped each other east of New Hyde Park Saturday night, causing the commuter train to derail.

Officials said 33 people were injured, including seven LIRR workers. There were 600 passengers on the train at the time.

The damaged train was removed Sunday, and repairs are complete on one of the two main line tracks. That allowed limited train service to resume in time for Monday morning's rush hour on the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma and Oyster Bay Branches.

"The full restoration of service for Monday's evening rush hour was made possible by the continuous efforts of the MTA and LIRR crews," Gov. Cuomo said in a news release. "I thank all of the employees who worked around the clock to restore train service so commuters can get where they need to go as easily and as efficiently as possible."

Although, the evening commute didn't go as smoothly as expected. An unrelated signal problem caused delays up to 30 minutes along the same lines affected by the derailment.

There were 14 LIRR morning rush hour westbound trains canceled Monday.

For the latest LIRR commuter information, CLICK HERE to visit the railroad's website.