Train derails in Greater Manchester

Northern Rail says the disruption caused by the derailment of the train between Salford Crescent and Deansgate station is set to continue until at least 2pm tomorrow. They advise anyone travelling to check on www.journeycheck/com

Northern Rail has said trains into and out of Manchester will continue to be disrupted after a charter train derailed yesterday.

The following services will be subject to delays and disruption this morning:

• Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Victoria services will start and terminate at Earlestown
• Southport to Manchester Airport services are diverting into Manchester Victoria
• Preston to Buxton/Hazel Grove services are cancelled until further notice

• Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport services are cancelled until further notice
• Kirkby to Manchester Victoria services will start and terminate at Wigan Wallgate
• Southport to Manchester Victoria services will start and terminate at Salford Crescent

These services will run normally, though may be busier than usual:

• Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington
• Manchester Victoria to Blackpool
• Manchester Victoria to Wigan via Bolton
• Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe via Blackburn

Rail replacement bus services will run from Manchester Oxford Road to Salford Crescent and from Manchester Victoria to Earlestown.

Passengers are also being advised to check with National Rail Enquiries before they travel.

Following a train derailment at Salford Crescent not trains are running between that station and Earlestown and Manchester Oxford Road / Manchester Victoria until further notice.

National rail are advising people to check before they travel. For the very latest information click here.

A number of roads have also been affected including Trinity way, we're told they have not re-opened but traffic is moving slowly.

Network Rail say the line blocked by the derailment in Salford "will not reopen tonight". It could be days before services restart.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said around 40 firefighters were called to the derailed train that caught fire close to Wilburn Street in Salford on the edge of Manchester city centre.

Fire engines from Salford, Moss Side, Broughton and Manchester Central fire stations were involved.

Four people, a driver, engineer and two others were on board the train and walked off safe and well.

The fire is believed to have involved an engine at the back of the train.

British Transport Police (BTP) have confirmed the train was a charter service run by West Coast Railways.

Station Manager Paul Etches said: "Crews quickly brought the fire under control to stop it spreading to the other carriages using jets and foam branches.

“Firefighters will remain on the scene dampening down and assisting BTP with their enquiries."

Footage: ITV Granada

Eyewitnesses living nearby tell me they feared an explosion as flames burst out and the locomotive tipped over.