(The following story by John Valenti appeared on the Newsday website on July 28.)
NEW YORK — Once again signal problems are causing delays on the Long Island Rail Road, this time affecting trains from Speonk.
Railroad officials said the 4:37 a.m. train from Speonk, due to arrive at Babylon at 5:37 a.m., operated almost 20 minutes late — due to a signal problem. The 5:06 a.m. train from Speonk, due at Penn Station at 6:58 a.m., was re-routed to the Main Line at Babylon — also due to signal problems — and ran about 20 minutes late.
Earlier, service on the Montauk Branch was disrupted due to a Long Island Power Authority power problem that affected signals between Patchogue and Speonk, railroad officials said.
The 5:37 a.m. train from Montauk, due to arrive at Long Island City at 8:44 a.m., is running 25 minutes late — due to what officials called “overnight signal problems.”
Signal problems have become a recurring problem in recent months. Officials have previously said they are working to remedy the issue.