Passengers faced delays and cancellations after a broken-down train blocked the line between Salford Crescent and Manchester Oxford Road.
Transport operator Northern Rail confirmed that the 14:48 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North train came to a halt while travelling between Manchester Oxford Road and Salford Crescent due to a fault that could not be fixed by the crew.
Trains running between Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Lostock, Horwich Parkway, Blackrod, Adlington Lancashire, Chorley, Buckshaw Parkway, Leyland, Preston, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Layton, Blackpool North, Heald Green have been affected.
A spokesperson apologised for the disruption and said that tickets were being accepted by other operators within two hours of passengers’ scheduled departure time.
A spokesperson for Northern Rail said: “Due to a fault on a train between Manchester Oxford Road and Salford Crescent some lines are blocked.
“If the train you have a ticket for is cancelled, you can travel on any Northern, TransPennine Express and East Midlands Railway service within 2 hours before or after your cancelled service was due to depart.”
Alternatively, passengers can use their train tickets to board several Greater Manchester bus services.
The rail operator confirmed that tickets will be accepted on the V1, V2, 608, 609, 35, 132, 601, 602, 640, 641, 635, 632, 36, 37, 38, 607, 11, 25, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 43, 50, 51, 192, 368, 378, 370 and 371 services.
