Trains returning to normal after major disruption

The rail network across northern England has been returning to normal after a power cut led to major disruption for thousands of passengers.

While the power was only down for 90 seconds at about 13:40 BST on Thursday, the delay to back-up systems at Network Rail's Manchester Rail Operating Centre meant trains had to stop running.

Many services were cancelled and commuters faced "nightmare" diversions.

Network Rail said services had "largely been restored across the North West", but some disruption to TransPennine Express services remained while trains and crews returned to their usual positions.

Network Rail's route director for the North West, Chris Wright, said: "We're continuing to work closely with train operators to return services to normal as quickly as possible."

Manchester Rail Operating Centre was opened in July 2014.

It houses all the controls to safely operate the railway in the region, including signalling.

According to Network Rail, its operational control boundary goes from Crewe to Carlisle, and from the Welsh border to Todmorden in West Yorkshire.

Shannon and Luke Harrison said when their train to Alderley Edge was cancelled, they found themselves packed "like sardines" on a train to Stockport that had no air-conditioning.

Luke said: "It was only 10 minutes, but I have never as seen anything like it."

The disruption caused had a wider impact on the rail network, with trains in the West Midlands also affected.

Services travelling north from stations including Birmingham New Street and London Euston were delayed or cancelled.

Callum Kirk and his cousin Ben Esson said they were keeping their fingers crossed that they could still get to London for a gig.

"I've done nothing but check. I was up at five just to double-check," Callum said.

Amid the disruption, recently elected Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said she would be asking both Network Rail and the train operating companies for an investigation into the cause and their response.

"We need assurances that this cannot and will not happen again," she said.

SP Electricity North West said there had been "an unexpected incident" on its high voltage cable in Harpurhey, Manchester, and that about 5,000 customers had been affected, including the Manchester Rail Operating Centre.

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