DAMAGE to overhead wires just outside Glasgow Central station caused bank holiday chaos on trains in and around the central belt of Scotland.
There were reports of loud bangs, and sparks on Saturday night, and at least 10 trains on the high level routes lost all power at around 9.15pm, leaving passengers in the dark.
The travellers had to wait on the trains for hours until they could be led to safety by ScotRail staff, while others were left stranded in Glasgow after the station was completely shut down at 10.45pm.
The train firm said all passengers were removed from the affected trains shortly before 1am.
But the knock-on effect of the damage caused further disruption yesterday and will affect some services today.
On there were at least 159 trains cancelled, with many more facing delays, and services stopped early.
Saturday was a busy day in Glasgow, with tens of thousands at the All Under One Banner, and thousands of others at the Rangers v Kilmarnock football match. There was a heavy police presence outside Central Station’s main Gordon Street entrance as revellers trying to get home suddenly found themselves unable to get a train home.
A ScotRail Alliance spokesman apologised for the disruption.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said on Twitter: “The damage is extensive and severe. Clearly not ideal during Bank Holiday weekend.
“Everything in ScotRail’s gift will be done to resolve situation as best as possible. Will be disruption.”
Meanwhile, Glasgow Queen Street has been voted Britain’s most unpopular railway station.
Only 58% of passengers say they are “satisfied” with the city centre terminal, according to Transport Focus data.
The second worst score was given to the station serving Gatwick Airport (66%), followed by Oxford (67%) and Clapham Junction (69%).
Also among the bottom 10 were London Victoria (72%), Hull (73%) and Cardiff Central (75%).
Queen Street was used by 15 million passengers in 2016/17, making it Scotland’s third-busiest station.
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