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Rail chaos as power lines damaged Rail chaos as power lines damaged
(about 2 hours later)
Trains were halted on a major rail route into London when two miles of overhead power lines were brought down. All Virgin Train services out of London have been cancelled after two miles of overhead power lines were brought down in Buckinghamshire.
The West Coast Main Line was damaged over the track at Castlethorpe, near Milton Keynes, Bucks. It is not known if this was caused by high winds. The West Coast Main Line was damaged over the track at Castlethorpe, near Milton Keynes.
The track has been closed for repairs and coaches are taking passengers between Northampton and Milton Keynes. Silverlink is running four trains an hour from Euston to Milton Keynes and buses will take people to Northampton.
Virgin Trains said it was running trains from Northampton to the Midlands and North.
Engineers hope to open two lines later although services are not expected to return to normal until later on Friday.Engineers hope to open two lines later although services are not expected to return to normal until later on Friday.
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said the 0939 GMT Glasgow to London Virgin train was the first hit by the problems at 1330 GMT.A spokeswoman for Network Rail said the 0939 GMT Glasgow to London Virgin train was the first hit by the problems at 1330 GMT.
Cause investigated Tickets accepted
Passengers on the affected train were taken off quickly and replacement bus services were organised.Passengers on the affected train were taken off quickly and replacement bus services were organised.
She added: "Network Rail engineering teams are on site attempting to fix the problem as soon as possible. The cause is under investigation.She added: "Network Rail engineering teams are on site attempting to fix the problem as soon as possible. The cause is under investigation.
"We hope to reopen two of the four lines later this evening but it is too early to estimate when services will return to normal but it is unlikely for tomorrow morning."We hope to reopen two of the four lines later this evening but it is too early to estimate when services will return to normal but it is unlikely for tomorrow morning.
"Tickets are being accepted on other train operators services - Chiltern Trains, Midland Mainline, GNER, Silverlink and Central Train. "Tickets are being accepted on other train operators' services - Chiltern Trains, Midland Mainline, GNER, Silverlink and Central Train.
"Network Rail would like to apologise to passengers for this disruption and can assure passengers that it is doing everything it can to repair the damage and keep delays to a minimum.""Network Rail would like to apologise to passengers for this disruption and can assure passengers that it is doing everything it can to repair the damage and keep delays to a minimum."
Steven Knight, press officer for Virgin Trains, said he expected trains to be running on Friday, but there was "likely to be disruption and reduced services".
"Our message to people is to check with National Rail enquiries before starting a journey," he said.