Inspections affect LIRR service

Buses replace midday trains Thursday between Huntington and Port Jefferson as the Long Island Rail Road conducts a series of rail inspections, the commuter service said.

Three eastbound and three westbound trains will be affected Thursday.

The LIRR said in a news release that customers should allow up to 60 minutes of additional travel time.

Inspections will be conducted by a Sperry Rail Car, a bright yellow vehicle fitted with ultrasonic and induction test equipment. It is designed to detect internal rail defects not readily visible to the eye.

Defects will be corrected immediately by track maintenance workers, the railroad said.

The Sperry Rail Car is used twice annually to inspect about 500 miles of track.

Here are the schedule changes for Thursday.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Eastbound:

The 10:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. eastbound trains from Hicksville will end in Huntington, and customers will transfer to buses to complete their trips.

The 11:51 a.m. train from Huntington to Port Jefferson will be replaced by bus service.

Westbound:

The 10:10 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. trains from Port Jefferson to Huntington will be canceled. Customers at the Port Jefferson through Greenlawn stations will board buses up to 20 minutes later than normal for Hicksville. At Hicksville, customers will transfer for train service west.

The 11:37 a.m. train from Port Jefferson to Hicksville will originate instead at Huntington at its regular time. Customers at the Port Jefferson through Greenlawn stations will board buses up to 20 minutes later than normal for Hicksville. At Hicksville, customers will transfer for train service west.

Further information is at www.mta.info or by calling 718-217-5477.