Politics & Government
LIRR is Operating Trains in Pilot Mode
The Long Island Rail Road has begun operating limited trains, without passengers, as it continues to de-ice the third rail but a full recovery remains a challenge.
Long Island trains are on the move again, though on a limited pilot basis without passengers, and a full restoration of services remains a challenge.
A statement on the LIRR web site says the LIRR has restored limited Port Washington branch service east bound from Penn Station.
"As train equipment becomes available, the LIRR will continue to run trains on the Port Washington branch this evening while continuing efforts to restore service on additional branches. The LIRR has been running test trains, without customers, on major branches as part of the effort to bring service back," states the latest advisory.
The challenge facing the transportation agency is ice on the third rail.
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"De-icing equipment is being used to free third rail of ice and impacted snow that is preventing some electric trains from drawing the power they need to operate. In addition, crews are working to maintain key switches, some of which are not operating properly due to high snow accumulation, ice and wind conditions," states the MTA update.
Test trains are being run without customers onboard along the LIRR's key branches to make sure it is safe to restore service.
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