PASSENGERS faced major disruption at Nottingham Station after a freight train got stuck at a track changeover point.
All routes through Nottingham were affected, with some services delayed by up to 90 minutes after the incident at about 9.40am yesterday.
Network Rail said the train had not derailed and no one was injured – but it caused "significant delays" to rail passengers.
A spokesman said: "The train went through the points – a piece of track which takes the track from one line to another.
"Instead of following the points the train has gone across them.
"Because the incident had happened the train had to stay where it was. It is a procedural thing that the Rail Accident Investigation Branch is called out and an immediate investigation is carried out before the train is released.
"Because it happened at Nottingham station it has caused significant disruption throughout the morning and early afternoon."
She added that repairs were carried out to the track and the line reopened by 3.30pm. But it took until after 6pm for services to get back to normal.
East Midlands Trains said the problem meant they were unable to run services between Nottingham and Skegness and Nottingham and Lincoln, with replacement coaches brought in to help out.
Fast services to and from Nottingham and London St Pancras also had to terminate at East Midlands Parkway.
A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains said: "We are sorry that our customers have experienced disruption as a result of this incident.
"We had extra staff on hand to assist passengers at affected stations but we know how frustrating delays can be."
Northern Rail trains were also replaced by buses between Nottingham and Langley Mill.
Rail passenger Jay Simpson, of Aspley, said: "I was on my way to the station getting a train to Skegness, but it's been cancelled.
"Train officials have been helpful."
Terry Pearce, who was visiting Nottingham after flying into London from San Francisco, said the disruption would make his journey difficult.
"I just walked in, trying to get back to London when I heard the trains were delayed.
"It has made it difficult to get back to London."
