Coming storm an 'alarm bell' for Long Island Rail Road

The potential for a foot or more of snow serves as “an alarm bell” for the Long Island Rail Road, which could be forced to suspend service, the LIRR’s president said Friday.

Ten inches of snow accumulating on the tracks can jeopardize electrical connectivity between trains and the third track, the LIRR has said. During past storms, the railroad has preemptively suspended service, so as not to risk stranding trains with passengers on board.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Sunday into Monday and is predicting up to 18 inches of snow.

“As you get into the higher accumulations, it’s something that we begin to look at,” the rail system's president, Rob Free, said in an interview Friday evening. “We do our best to continue to provide train service, but our first responsibility is to provide safe train service. … It doesn’t necessarily mean that we will shut down, but we have to pay attention to what that means.”

Free noted that some aspects of the winter weather are playing in the railroad’s favor. This weekend’s snowfall is expected to be “wetter” than during recent storms, which makes it less likely to impact track switches. Above-freezing temperatures and rainfall in recent days have also helped clear some remaining snow from recent storms, he said.

Ahead of the coming weekend storm, LIRR officials are conducting regular meetings and beginning planning efforts. “All of our snow clearing equipment has been put in position, fueled and ready to go,” Free said.

Before and throughout the storm, the railroad will operate “de-icer” trains that coat the third rail with an antifreeze solution, and other with ice-scraping shoes attached.

The forecasted storm is expected to last through the Monday morning rush hour, and Free said he expects many commuters will opt to work from home.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a season like this,” Free said.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.