Snow expected to suspend LIRR service at evening rush hour

The Long Island Rail Road's overhauled snow response plan will be put to the test under extreme circumstances Wednesday, as a foot or more of snow is expected to cause temporary service suspensions throughout the system's 700 miles of track at the height of the usual evening rush hour, LIRR officials said.

The LIRR expects to run its normal schedule Wednesday morning. But anticipating that commuters who go to work Wednesday will head home early, the LIRR is planning an earlier-than-usual peak period and adding 13 eastbound trains out of Penn Station between about 1 and 4 p.m.

To make those extra trains available, the LIRR is canceling 17 afternoon and evening trains from Penn Station and five trains from Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal, and shifting service to other trains. In some cases, the modification includes extension of some trains' normal end points.

NEW LIRR SCHEDULE: See the specific trains the LIRR is adding or canceling for Wednesday

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The railroad typically runs 131 trains during the evening peak period.

LIRR officials said they expect a far lighter load during Wednesday's commute, which has an average weekday ridership of 100,000 during peak hours. The average evening rush ridership is 80,000, as many people make the return trip outside peak hours.

Those not lucky enough to make it from the city to their Long Island homes before the heavy snowfall, predicted to begin in the afternoon, may be well-advised to seek a place to stay until later in the evening - or overnight.

Under the LIRR's new policy of halting trains when 10 to 13 inches or more of snow collects on tracks, service could be suspended for hours as crews work to clear a path home for commuters. LIRR officials say that snow accumulation of more than 10 to 13 inches can interfere with trains' contact with the electrified third rail.

"We are going to be very cautious about sending trains out into blizzard-like conditions," LIRR president Helena Williams said at a news conference. "If we're putting service out there, we want to be sure the trains are moving."

The LIRR's new guidelines come after a Dec. 19-20 snowstorm caused widespread delays and stranded 150 passengers on one Ronkonkoma-bound train for three hours without power or working toilets.

Railroad employees will monitor snow accumulation and track conditions throughout the system and report back to key operations personnel, who will make decisions about any service suspensions, Williams said.

The LIRR's priority is to maintain service on its primary branches for as long as possible, Williams said.

She defined those as trains leaving from Penn Station for Babylon, Huntington, Port Washington or Ronkonkoma, and from Brooklyn to Jamaica. Service on other branches probably will be suspended first and restored last.

To deal with the snow, a procession of snow-combating equipment will travel the tracks as passenger trains are held at bay. Some machines will move at just 25 miles per hour. A snowplow will dig out a path. Behind it, a snowblower will clear the essential third rail of drifts. And behind that, another train will coat the tracks with antifreeze, LIRR officials said.

The LIRR also will dispatch personnel to key stations to assist commuters.

Snow preparation began in earnest Tuesday as crews pre-salted some station platforms, de-iced tracks and prepped equipment.

Even after the last snowflake falls, the LIRR will continue its battle against the elements, Williams said. The exhaustive job of operating through a snowstorm is expected to take its toll on Thursday morning's rush hour, which Williams said could see cancellations, delays and lingering suspensions on some lines. Service between Ronkonkoma and Greenport and between Speonk and Montauk may not be restored until Friday, Williams said.

LIRR Commuter Council chairwoman, Maureen Michaels, who was critical of the LIRR's handling of the December storm, said she has been impressed with the railroad's preparation for Wednesday's storm.

"We'll see how it plays out, and whether or not they can step it up," Michaels said.

NEW LIRR SCHEDULE: See the specific trains the LIRR is adding or canceling for Wednesday

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