LIRR: Third rail problem delays dozens of trains

A misaligned third rail in New Hyde Park caused morning rush-hour delays Monday on the Long Island Rail Road's Main Line, affecting at least 70 trains and forcing several cancellations, officials said.

A railroad spokeswoman said the rail, which provides electrical power to trains, was fixed by about 7:20 a.m.

Residual delays ran between 20 and 30 minutes most of the morning, with the Main Line reduced to a single track in the area -- handling both westbound and eastbound trains, according to the railroad. The evening rush should not be affected, the spokeswoman said.

The problem caused at least two cancellations -- the 6:25 a.m. train from Hicksville to Penn Station, which officials said was canceled due to congestion, and the 7:28 a.m. train from Cold Spring Harbor to Penn.

Officials said customers usually accommodated by the Cold Spring Harbor train used the 7:19 a.m. train from Huntington to Atlantic Terminal and transferred at Jamaica for a train to Penn Station.