Contingency Plan. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, there was extensive damage across the northeast Unites States to public transportation. Although most of the MTA LIRR rolling stock was protected, the tracks themselves could not be moved, nor third rail electric systems that power the trains. The solution for the Long Beach Branch was to offer diesel shuttle service to the Lynbrook Station and offer transfers to the rest of the system from there. On November 15, 2012, LI 403 (DE30AC, EMD, 1997-1999) brings a 4-car double ended train (with LI 402 at the other end) of C3 model cars across Wreck Lead Channel over the Wreck Lead Bridge from Island Park to the terminal in Long Beach, New York. Under normal circumstances the line is served exclusively by the Long Island Rail Road's fleet of electric MU M3/M7/M9s with trains as long as 12 cars.
Locomotive-hauled trains extend LIRR service from Midtown New York to the eastern reaches of the North and South Forks. Power has gone through four generations since steam service ended.
