A Long Island Rail Road train bound for Hempstead derailed around 6:09 p.m. on Monday, minutes after leaving Penn Station. “It was like a very strong earthquake,” said passenger Christian Yungwirth. “People were screaming. Trains were rocking back and forth.” Thankfully no injuries have been reported, but the train blocked one of the four tunnels that run under the East River, causing headaches for thousands of commuters.
Westbound service into Penn Station has been suspended, and there were 20-30 minute delays on NJ Transit and 60 minute delays on Amtrak. Eastbound service on the four biggest LIRR branches has been reduced to one train per hour, and customers on other branches have been advised to take the subway to Atlantic Terminal. Or they could admit defeat and make dinner plans in Manhattan, like Long Island commuter Sharon Wells. “We’re not going anywhere, so why not?” she said.
