MTA Long Island Rail Road is advising customers that the railroad will conduct cyclical track safety tests between Babylon and Montauk during afternoon hours from Monday, February 4 through Thursday, February 7. 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. Any defects that are found will be corrected immediately by a crew of LIRR track maintenance workers. 

As a result of the tests, trains will not operate between Babylon and Montauk in both directions, between approximately 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Buses will substitute for trains between these stations.

A special Montauk Branch timetable can be found at this link:

http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/02-4%20to%2002-7%20-%20(%20B%20)%20MK%20-%20Sperry%20-%20GO%20404.pdf

Westbound

Customers at stations Montauk through Bay Shore will board buses up to 30 minutes earlier than normal train times for Babylon, where train service will resume. Customers will experience up to 45 minutes of additional travel time.

Eastbound

Customers traveling to stations Bay Shore through Montauk will detrain at Babylon and board buses to their final destinations. Customers will experience up to 30 minutes of additional travel time (depending upon destination).

Many Channels for Services Updates

Information about the service changes noted in this press release and all planned service changes is available through the LIRR’s real-time service information sources:

Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive the alerts by visiting MyMTAAlerts.com. To avoid unwanted messages, a user can tailor the messages to the specific branch, and the specific times of day.

MYmta app – Customers who use the new, comprehensive MYmta app will see real-time travel information for LIRR and connecting services all in one place. As a caution, trains that start out their trips on time may experience delays en route. The LIRR Train Time app also remains available for customers to access LIRR train information.

MTA.info – The rail tab of the “Service Status” box at the left side of www.MTA.infois always the definitive source for the latest status for each branch, updated every minute. In addition, customers can visit www.mta.info/lirrto see special service notices in the upper center of the page.

@LIRR on Twitter – Twitter users can follow @LIRR to receive updates of a similar nature to the email and text alerts, shortened to fit Twitter’s format.

The above communications channels can be accessed while at home or on the go. For customers who are located at stations, the LIRR will post the latest service updates on digital signs at station platforms and will make audio announcements over public address systems, and on-board announcements made by train crews.

For those who prefer the telephone, information is available from the LIRR’s Customer Service Center by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and saying: “Long Island Rail Road” Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the LIRR at 511.