Widespread disruptions reported on Babylon Branch of LIRR
The LIRR reported widespread disruptions on the Babylon Branch due to a power outage. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
A power outage near Rockville Centre has caused widespread disruptions on the Babylon Branch of the Long Island Rail Road during the morning rush-hour Thursday, with average delays of up to 30 minutes and one cancellation, the railroad reported on its website.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the outage caused delays to at least a dozen westbound trains and one westbound train. The 4:32 a.m. train from Southampton to Penn Station also operated 25-30 minutes late as a result. The 7:57 a.m. train from Wantagh to Grand Central was canceled.
The cause of the outage was not immediately clear.
Additionally, the railroad said two westbound trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch — the 5:49 a.m. train to Penn Station and the 6 a.m. train to Grand Central — operated 10-15 late due to earlier equipment trouble.
The westbound trains on the Babylon line affected by the prior outage near Rockville Centre include: the 7:28 a.m. train from Babylon to Penn Station; the 7:21 a.m. train from Babylon to Penn Station; the 7:12 a.m. train from Babylon to Grand Central; the 7:09 a.m. train from Wantagh to Penn Station; the 7:09 a.m. train from Babylon to Grand Central; the 6:55 a.m. train from Babylon to Penn Station; the 6:28 a.m. train from Babylon to Penn Station; the 6:15 a.m. train from Wantagh to Penn Station; the 6:15 a.m. train from Babylon to Grand Central; the 6:03 a.m. train from Babylon to Penn Station; the 5:56 a.m. train from Wantagh to Grand Central; and, the 5:45 a.m. train from Babylon to Grand Central.
The eastbound delay involved the 5:40 a.m. train from Penn Station to Babylon. It operated 25-30 minutes late.
It was not clear when the railroad would be able to get back on schedule.
John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.
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