Two lines suspended as partially derailed train blocks tracks at Clifton Hill

Two train lines have been suspended indefinitely after a passenger train carriage came off the rails at Clifton Hill.

The partially derailed train became stuck on the tracks at a bottleneck on the Melbourne network on Sunday evening, causing major delays for commuters in the city’s north-east.

The train partially derailed in Clifton Hill on Sunday night when the antenna-like structure on top of a carriage became caught in overhead wires.Credit: Chris Hopkins

The train, which had 55 passengers on it, was travelling south on the Mernda line towards Clifton Hill station when the pantograph – the antenna-like structure that connects the train to overhead wires – became entangled in overhead wires, causing a set of wheels on a carriage to come off the tracks about 10.30pm Sunday.

A Metro Trains spokesperson said all passengers were evacuated safely by officers and that services had been suspended.

Buses will continue to replace trains on the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines on Tuesday morning, with buses operating between Eltham and Parliament and Reservoir and Parliament.

Commuter James Stoker took the delays in his stride as he waited for a replacement bus to Eaglemont at Parliament on Monday evening, saying: “People are going to get angry, but it’s just an inconvenience.”

Commuters queue for replacement buses at Parliament on Monday evening.Credit: Alexander Darling

The trip usually takes him about 30 minutes on the Hurstbridge line, but he expected to be in transit for an extra hour on Monday.

“The only thing I heard this morning was that the line wasn’t working – bus replacements. I dealt with it … I took the bus,” he said.

Motorists are being asked to take extra care around train stations on both lines, given the additional bus and pedestrian traffic.

“Safety is always our top priority,” a Metro Trains spokesperson said.

“Our crews are working to resolve the issue, and we thank passengers for their patience.”

The Age understands a crane will be needed to remove the derailed carriage, and only after this will Metro be able to determine the damage to the rail equipment.

Two train lines have been suspended indefinitely after a passenger train came off the rails at Clifton Hill.Credit: Chris Hopkins

There is no information at this stage as to when the crane will be deployed or when normal services will resume.

Buses had already been operating between Heidelberg and Eltham due to planned works.