LIRR restored into, out of Penn Station after signal issues in Queens, Thursday commute expected to be normal

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Long Island Rail Road service is expected to be normal for Thursday morning after a massive shutdown on Wednesday morning due to a power issue.

Service was suspended Wednesday morning due to a power problem affecting the signal system outside the East River tunnels. Con Edison said it is a problem internal to the railroad.

WHAT HAPPENED? A power distribution problem Wednesday morning in Queens caused the suspension of LIRR trains. The issue is with power distribution to "harold interlocking" -- a series of switches in Queens, about four miles east of the East River Tunnels. Trains cannot be moved through the tunnel, which takes LIRR trains from Jamaica to Manhattan, because switches cannot be operated.

RELATED: Angry LIRR riders take to social media to rant about nightmare commute

One commuter posted video of an LIRR worker explaining what was happening at the Jamaica station:

Several trains were temporarily stuck in the East River tunnel until the switches could be cleared. All trains had power and air conditioning.

The issues meant crowded trains -- both on the LIRR and the NYC subway:

Subways are no longer cross-honoring LIRR fares on the E, 7, 2/3 and 4/5 subway lines.

Subway platforms were crowded with commuters seeking alternate routes.

It wasn't a good start to the day for anyone riding the LIRR:

Riders are encouraged to check mta.info before heading out in the morning.