LIRR: We're sorry for service disruptions

The Long Island Rail Road apologized to riders Tuesday for widespread service disruptions caused by lightning strikes at several locations, with the Babylon branch affected for the longest period of time.

LIRR service was back to normal Tuesday afternoon after lightning from the Monday afternoon storms knocked out the signaling system on most LIRR lines for about three hours and caused delays of up to two hours during Monday's evening rush.

LIRR crews worked to repair damage through the night Monday into Tuesday. Just when it appeared the problems had been fixed, "additional latent damage" from a lightning strike at the Babylon control tower caused a power outage to the tower about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, the LIRR said.

As a result, all service on the Babylon line was suspended for about 45 minutes. Lengthy delays and cancellations lasted through the morning rush.

"The Long Island Rail Road apologizes to our customers who experienced significant delays and service disruptions," the LIRR said in a statement published on its website and emailed to customers. "LIRR crews are continuing to work to make full permanent repairs to the damage caused by yesterday's storm."

LIRR officials said the Babylon tower took a direct hit from the intense lightning, damaging the tower's main and backup computer systems as well as communications links used to remotely control signals and switches.

"Their protective circuits could not withstand the intense surge from the lightning," the LIRR said in its statement.

Lightning struck many other locations along the LIRR's main line between New Hyde Park and Carle Place.

Without a functioning electronic signal system in several areas, LIRR workers operated switches remotely from special control centers along the tracks and, in some cases, used blocks of wood and spikes to manually lock track switches in place.