Broken rail repaired, LIRR resumes service into Penn Station

The Long Island Rail Road has resumed service into Penn Station after a broken Amtrak rail in one of the East River tunnels caused major disruptions Tuesday, officials said.

Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams said the broken rail was repaired and the track returned to service at 7:45 a.m. Trains are no longer being rerouted, he said, suggesting commuters check the LIRR website for the latest information.

Customers were told they could expect some cancellations and delays as the LIRR resumed regular service throughout the morning.

The LIRR is reporting that all its branches are operating on or close to schedule.

Service into Penn Station had been diverted to other terminals, including Grand Central Madison and Atlantic Terminal through most of the morning rush, the LIRR said on its website. Until nearly 8 a.m., there was no direct service from Jamaica to Penn Station, the railroad said.

On its website, the LIRR said it was "responding to an Amtrak broken rail in one of the East River tunnels while track capacity is also severely limited from Amtrak Penn Station tunnel work."

Passengers were told they could transfer tor the subway at Grand Central, Atlantic Terminal, Jamaica, Hunterspoint Avenue or Long Island City. The broken rail had impacted virtually all branches of the LIRR bound for Penn Station, the railroad said.

Newsday's Maureen Mullarkey contributed to this story.