Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
LIRR Passengers' Snowy Commute From Hell
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 22, 2009
Modified Dec 22, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 22, 2009
Modified Dec 22, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The weekend's big storm hit Long Island hard, giving the region an official blizzard while some towns record snowfall (Upton had 26 inches). While some people couldn't navigate some roads because of "tired" snow plow drivers, the saga of 150 Long Island Rail Road passengers takes the cake.
Newsday (subscription required) recounts the horror of the passengers on the 2:53 a.m. Ronkonkoma-bound train from Penn Station. The train, which was already delayed by the snow and ice and car that was stuck in its path, broke down 140 yards from the Wyandanch station at 5 a.m. and remained there for hours until it made it at 8:13 a.m. "With no electricity, the only bathroom broken and falling temperatures, passengers passed the time arguing, plotting escapes and calling loved ones, the media and the LIRR." Some passengers announced they were opening windows to escape, so the conductor called the MTA police and backup arrived to keep the passengers inside and from opening windows.
News 12 heard the pleas of passengers, who said there was no heat (one passenger was a two-year-old), begging to be rescued:
LIRR president Helena Williams apologized for the incident and said that there would be a "a full-scale review" of the incident. Apparently the rescue locomotive that was first sent to help the train got stuck on a frozen rail and then the LIRR had to find another one (and its engineer) to help push the train those remaining 140 yards.
Tagged
long island rail road
snow
snowy commute
weather
winter storm
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
Javits Frimpong, whose family is from Ghana, was walking to school Thursday morning when he was shot and killed.
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 31, 2026
Modified Oct 31, 2026 at 7:03 p.m. ET
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx e-bike fire that killed a boy has claimed 3 more lives, NYPD says
By
Amanda Rozon
Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race
By
Jon Campbell
and
Walter Wuthmann
How formerly homeless New Yorkers are helping others get off the streets
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .