LIRR suffers delays on multiple branches due to signal problems at Grand Central

Signal trouble at Grand Central Terminal caused delays, rerouting and cancellations early Wednesday on the Long Island Rail Road, officials said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said issues had affected service on multiple branches. But, while the railroad couldn't immediately detail the cause of the incident or provide an estimated time when the issue might be resolved, the official MTA website was showing most service restored by about 10 a.m.

The situation was far-different during the morning rush hour.

Trains within the City Zone were rerouted from Grand Central to Penn Station, the MTA said, with delays averaging about 10-15 minutes west of Jamaica. The MTA cross-honored fares on the E, 1, 2, 3 and 7 trains — the 7 available at Grand Central-42nd Street and 61 St-Woodside.

The LIRR Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma branches also showed delays, while there also were cancellations on the Port Washington and Ronkonkoma branches — the 8:14 a.m. train from Port Washington to Grand Central and the 8 a.m. train from Ronkonkoma to Grand Central were among those canceled.

Previous disruptions affecting trains on the Long Beach Branch appeared to have been resolved just after 9 a.m.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”