Track work to delay Montauk trains

Bus service will replace midday trains on the Montauk branch of the Long Island Rail Road Thursday so the commuter service can conduct track inspections.

The LIRR said in a news release that three eastbound and three westbound trains would be affected on the Montauk branch, east of Patchogue.

The inspections will be by the Sperry Rail Car, which is designed to detect internal rail defects using ultrasonic and induction test equipment, the service said.

The schedule changes include:

The 8:52 a.m., 11:26 a.m. and 12:07 p.m. eastbound trains from Babylon terminating at Patchogue. Commuters will take buses for the remainder of the trip east to Speonk and Montauk.

Three westbound trains - the 11:19 a.m. from Montauk, the 2:07 p.m. from Speonk and the 2:51 p.m. from Montauk - originating instead from Patchogue at 1:10 p.m., 2:37 p.m. and 4:43 p.m.

Travelers from the Montauk through Bellport stations will take buses to get to Babylon, where a train connection can be made for points west. Customers will board buses up to 47 minutes later than their regularly scheduled train times, depending on their destination, the service said.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

For more information, call 718-217-5477 or visit www.mta.info.