LIRR restores four Babylon trains to circumvent rail construction

The Long Island Rail Road announced that it will activate new train schedules on Monday, Feb. 24, including the restoration of two eastbound trains during evening rush on the Babylon branch, which were suspended back in 2010 as a result of budget cuts. These new train schedules — which officials said will accommodate the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's new and ongoing construction projects, such as the East Side Access extension — will be in effect through May 18. 

Restored service on the Babylon Branch includes the 4:37 p.m. express train from Penn Station to Babylon, stopping first at Rockville Centre, then proceed to all stops to Wantagh; the 4:39 p.m. train from Atlantic Terminal to Babylon; the 4:57 p.m. express train from Penn Station, running to Merrick, then all stops to Wantagh; and the 5:03 p.m. express train from Penn Station will run to Rockville Centre but not proceed to stops at Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh, which were added in 2010 when the 4:57 p.m. train was suspended.

Officials also advised riders to check for some midday schedule adjustments on the Babylon branch.

The 7:13 AM train from Oyster Bay to Long Island City will be have an added stop at Hunterspoint Avenue. The decision to add this stop came about as a direct result of customer requests for the service.

While the Babylon branch will revisit four of its express trains, LIRR officials said the Long Beach branch will lose one of two tracks between the Valley Stream and Long Beach stations midday during the week. Eastbound Long Beach, Far Rockaway and Hempstead trains will depart 30 to 36 minutes later due to these delays.