LIRR: Normal service returns

The MTA Long Island Rail Road reported Monday that "customers can anticipate a return to their regularly scheduled trains for Monday morning’s rush hour following successful, round-the-clock repairs of the railroad’s switch and signal system in Jamaica that was severely damaged by a fire on August 23rd."

By 4 PM Sunday, the LIRR reported, repairs were completed as well as extensive testing of the switch and signal system in Jamaica, paving the way for full restoration of AM and PM rush hour service on Monday.

“I appreciate the challenges our customers faced during the past week and I thank them for their patience during what has been a difficult time,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “I would also like to thank the hundreds of railroad employees who worked around the clock to put the damaged signal and switch system back together while keeping service going and assisting our customers throughout the week. Once again, they demonstrated their dedication and commitment to our customers.”

A press release issued by the LIRR stated that "During repairs more than 200 individual wires had to be assessed or replaced inside the signal tower and more than 300 tests had to be conducted to insure safe operation of the signal system. Testing was conducted throughout the weekend.