LIRR adds extra trains for commuters to beat storm

Anticipating an early exit by New York City workers, the Long Island Rail Road is adding eight eastbound trains Thursday afternoon from Penn Station, a spokesman said.

The additional trains are running from 2:09 p.m. to 3:38 p.m., spokesman Sam Zambuto said. "We're doing this for customers who may be leaving work early because of the storm," he said.

The extra service includes three trains on the Port Jefferson branch, three on the Babylon branch, one on the Port Washington to Great Neck branch and one on the Far Rockaway branch.

More details on the extra trains is available at www.mta.info/lirr.

Zambuto said there are no plans now to add extra trains Friday morning or Friday evening. Long Island is predicted to get snow overnight Thursday and into Friday's rush hour.

Zambuto said the LIRR will be monitoring the storm closely to determine if additional trains will be needed for Friday.

In addition to more trains, Zambuto said the LIRR is keeping switch heaters on to reduce the chances of icing on track switches; opening waiting rooms around the clock and activating special scraper shoes to keep snow and ice from building up on the rail that provides power to electric trains.

"We will have crews out during the early morning hours to clear platforms, and extra personnel will be assigned throughout the system to ensure services are running smoothly," Zambuto said.

He also advised passengers to allow for extra travel time because of the storm and to watch their step when navigating stairways and platforms and when boarding trains.