LIRR: Expect normal getaway service for July 4 weekend

The Long Island Rail Road said it anticipated no difficulties with early getaway trains Friday afternoon from Penn Station following a morning service disruption in Queens.

A railroad spokesman said 12 Penn-bound trains were delayed by 15 to 20 minutes when signal trouble developed at 8:58 a.m. Friday east of the Jamaica Station.

LIRR workers had it fixed by 10:15 a.m. and normal service resumed, the railroad said.

The Friday morning breakdown came after a day of disruptions on both the morning evening commutes Thursday.

The LIRR said it was adding a total of 10 early afternoon trains Friday in anticipation of an early rush hour before the four-day Independence Day weekend.

On the Babylon branch, the added trains will be a 2:22 p.m. express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon; a 2:32 p.m. express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon; a 3 p.m. stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, all stops to Babylon, and a 3:31 p.m. express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.

On the Far Rockaway branch, the railroad will add a 3:48 p.m. train stopping at Locust Manor, then making all stops to Far Rockaway.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

There will be three added trains on the Port Jefferson branch: a 2:08 p.m. stopping at Jamaica and Mineola, then making all stops to Huntington; a 2:29 p.m. stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, and New Hyde Park, then making all stops to Huntington; and a 3:24 p.m. stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville.

The Port Washington branch will add a 3:40 p.m. stopping at Woodside, Flushing Main St., and then all stops to Great Neck.

The Ronkonkoma branch will add a 1:49 p.m. stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, and Hicksville, then making all stops to Ronkonkoma except Pinelawn.

A bicycle ban is in effect all day Friday.