Weekend LIRR Service Changes

The MTA is replacing trains with bus service on Farmingdale's this weekend for two different rail projects.

The first will be on Nov. 12 when buses replace trains between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma while rail testing is performed from 12:45 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.

A Sperry Rail Car will be doing track inspections during the Saturday early-morning train service. While the track is out of service for this necessary track work, LIRR crews will also perform a clean-up of the right of way.

The following buses are available for customers traveling between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma during that time:

• Eastbound: Customers on the 12:14 a.m., 1:16 a.m., 2:53 a.m. and 4:43 a.m. early-morning Saturday trains from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma on Nov. 12 will transfer to buses at Hicksville for travel to stations Wyandanch through Ronkonkoma. Customers bound for Bethpage and Farmingdale will stay on these trains to their stations. Eastbound customers should expect up to 24 minutes additional travel time, depending on destination station.
• Westbound: Customers normally on the 12:44 a.m., 2:10 a.m., 3:45 a.m., 5:37 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. early-morning Saturday trains from Ronkonkoma will board buses instead at their stations Ronkonkoma through Wyandanch up to six minutes later than scheduled train times and transfer to trains at Hicksville to complete their trips. Bethpage and Farmingdale customers will board their normally scheduled trains at their stations. Westbound customers should expect up to 40 minutes additional travel time.

Buses will also replace train service between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma stations all day Saturday through 6:30 a.m. Sunday while work is performed to renew the railroad crossing at Ocean Avenue in Ronkonkoma. Visit www.mta.info for details.

In performing the track inspection, the Sperry Rail Car, a bright yellow vehicle fitted with ultrasonic and induction test equipment, is designed to detect internal rail defects not readily visible to the eye. Defects that are found will be corrected immediately by a crew of LIRR track maintenance workers.

The Sperry Rail Car is used twice a year to inspect approximately 500 miles of LIRR track.

Does this LIRR service change affect your weekend? Tell us in the comments.