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West Coast Mainline passengers 'stranded for seven hours' | West Coast Mainline passengers 'stranded for seven hours' |
(32 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of passengers on the West Coast Mainline have been stranded for hours as an electric overhead cable snapped. | |
The cable broke on the route between Lancaster and Preston at about 08:35 GMT blocking both lines in both directions, Network Rail said. | The cable broke on the route between Lancaster and Preston at about 08:35 GMT blocking both lines in both directions, Network Rail said. |
One person tweeted they were on a train for seven-and-a-half hours, another called it "an absolute horror show". | |
Stations along the route have become crowded as the delays continue. | |
West Coast Mainline suspension: latest updates | |
Network Rail said the stranded passengers would be towed back to their nearest stations at about 17:00 GMT. | |
It said that because of the lack of electrical power in the area it had made towing back difficult. | |
Queues have formed at Preston station while passengers wait for rail replacement services. | |
Virgin Trains said the disruption would continue until Thursday. | Virgin Trains said the disruption would continue until Thursday. |
It is not yet known what caused the damage to the 440 yards (400m) of the cable. | |
Northern and Trans Pennine Express services in the area have also been affected. | Northern and Trans Pennine Express services in the area have also been affected. |
Passengers expecting to use the route have been advised not to travel, and have been warned journey times would be at least three hours longer than usual. | Passengers expecting to use the route have been advised not to travel, and have been warned journey times would be at least three hours longer than usual. |
Virgin passengers can use their tickets on Thursday, the company said. |