Signal error delays LIRR trains

A Long Island Rail Road engineer made an error Monday morning that caused delays on 18 trains traveling through Jamaica station, said a company spokesman.

Preliminary review indicated the engineer, whose name was not disclosed by the LIRR, may have moved a westbound train forward before he received the signal to do so, said the spokesman, Sam Zambuto.

"He advanced the train slightly forward of a train signal," Zambuto said.

The 7:19 a.m. train out of Farmingdale was scheduled to arrive at Penn Station at 8:15 a.m. but never made it to its destination, Zambuto said.

The error occurred at about 8 a.m., when the train had just passed Jamaica station, Zambuto said.

"There were no other trains around so there was no safety issue," he said.

After the incident, the train was brought back to Jamaica station and taken out of service, Zambuto said. Passengers on the train were delayed for about 50 minutes.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Seventeen other trains -- 14 heading west and three heading east -- were delayed for about 20 to 30 minutes, Zambuto said.

Service was restored by about 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Zambuto said.