Freight Train Derailment Near Hicksville Station Disrupts LIRR Service

NEW CASSEL, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A freight train toppled off the tracks in New Cassel, Long Island Tuesday afternoon, creating a prolonged mess for commuters.

While regular service had resumed late Tuesday night, the Long Island Rail Road said delays and cancellations should be expected during the Wednesday morning rush.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, photos from the tracks near the Hicksville station showed what a huge cleanup job it would be – with a car full of debris lying completely on its side.

The New York & Atlantic Railway train derailed near the Hicksville Station around 1 p.m.

And while area residents are used to hearing trains whiz by, the sound of the derailment was like nothing they had ever heard before.

"I just couldn't believe it -- the fact that train could turn over on the rail," said witness Jeffrey Alvarez.

The residents along Broadway in New Cassel heard a loud screech and saw a big cloud of dust.

It was feeling like it was an earthquake, because I was sitting downstairs, and the next thing you know, I was like, 'Is this an earthquake?' And it was the train tracks," said witness David Agular Zavala, 13.

David peeked through the fence in his backyard and could not believe his eyes. Two freight train cars had been tossed off the tracks like toys -- one on its side, another one derailed yards away just west of the Hicksville station.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said they were the last two cars of a 16-car freight train hauling construction debris on the Ronkonkoma branch - the main line for the LIRR.

After a complete stand still for 40 minutes, passenger trains began moving through on a second track. But there were rush-hour cancellations and delays on the Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson lines.

"The Ronkonkoma Line is always late," one LIRR commuter said.

"Unfortunately, you don't have any choice," another said. "What are you going to do?"

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, frustrated commuters said problems with the LIRR are getting old.

"Extremely frustrating; very long day; very tired," said Carol Braico of Hicksville. "Again, last week, I think it was something. Every week, it's something new."

The cars had to be cleared of their contents, and trees had to be trimmed to make way for a crane to haul the train cars out.

With construction debris strewn on the tracks, crews were checking for track damage and trying to determine what went wrong. There were no injuries.

The cars had to be cleared of their contents, and trees had to be trimmed to make way for a crane to hall the train cars out.

The heavy equipment was brought in to right the cars in the mid-evening hours.

"Then we have to assess the damage to the track -- not only the track, but the third rail -- so we have a lot of work ahead of us tonight -- all through the night," said LIRR spokesman Sam Zambuto.

Some commuters suffered through late arrivals or had to board buses to reach their final destinations.