Trains hit by cable fault

Trains were cancelled and passengers delayed after an overhead cable fault caused disruptions on the Midlands rail network.

More than 30 trains were cancelled on the Birmingham to Rugeley route and a reduced timetable of services introduced over nine hours of problems.

It was caused by the loss of power to the 25,000-volt electricity overhead power lines near Walsall Station just after 10.30am yesterday.

There were delays between Walsall and Birmingham New Street, while trains due from Wolverhampton to Walsall had to terminate at Birmingham.

Replacement bus services were introduced as trains from Rugeley were forced to stop at Bloxwich. Operators London Midland had to rely on using diesel trains due to the ongoing problem.

Network Rail sent teams out onto the tracks in a bid to pinpoint the problem.

Spokesman Keith Lumley said: "The problem was on the approach to Walsall station and it means we lost the power to the 25,000 volt electricity overhead power lines which provide power to drive the trains.

"This was affecting London Midland services to Walsall and towards Rugeley. Trains were terminating at either Birmingham New Street or Wolverhampton depending on where they were coming from."

Equipment on the roofs of two trains that link to the overhead power cables was damaged.

Some trains were terminated early and did not stop at Walsall, Bescot Stadium, Tame Bridge Parkway, Hamstead, Perry Barr, Witton, Aston and Duddeston.

John Thomas, a 23-year-old musician from Walsall, said trains had been busier than usual because less services were running. Full train services were resumed at 7.30pm.