If you add it to configuration.yaml, it must start with sensor, try:
sensor:
- platform: file
name: Trains_123
file_path: /config/data/MTA_LIRR_Status_data.json
value_template: "{{ value_json['items'][0]['status'] }}"
If you already have sensor: section in a file, just add after any sensor:
- platform: file
name: Trains_123
file_path: /config/data/MTA_LIRR_Status_data.json
value_template: "{{ value_json['items'][0]['status'] }}"
also in customize.yaml you should have:
sensor.trains_babylon:
custom_ui_state_card: state-card-custom-ui
entity_picture: /local/icon/mta/mta.png
friendly_name: 'Babylon'
You have to make sure you have proper indentation.