Buses will continue to replace trains on the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines on Tuesday morning after a train derailed at Clifton Hill about 10.30pm on Sunday night.
The suburban train derailed in the Clifton Hill Railway Station area, closing both the Mernda and Hurstbridge Lines.
About 50 passengers were evacuated from the train unharmed.
Buses will replace trains between Parliament and Eltham on the Hurstbridge line and between Parliament and Reservoir on the Mernda line until the first service on Monday, July 21.
Hoddle Street is closed between the Clifton Hill tram interchange on Queens Parade (stop 25) and Clifton Hill Railway Station (Heidelberg Road). Commuters should seek an alternate route.
A crane is on scene this morning, along with about 50 workers, at Clifton Hill to lift the train; however, overhead powerlines and other rail infrastructure must be removed first to allow the crane to operate safely. This is expected to take several hours.
Buses will replace trains between Parliament and Eltham until the last service on Sunday, July 20, meaning that Hurstbridge and Mernda line trains, at this stage, will not resume service until the first train next Monday, July 21, due to the derailment at Clifton Hill.
- Replacement buses are in operation until the last service on Sunday, July 20.
- Passengers are advised to allow an extra 45 minutes for travel.
- A train service will operate between Eltham and Hurstbridge, and between Reservoir and Epping, with significant delays.
Separately from the unplanned derailment, planned works between Heidelberg and Eltham will continue until Thursday, July 24.
Metro Trains CEO Raymond O’Flaherty said that the matter was a “serious incident” and “apologised to commuters.”
Four carriages (of two three-car electrical multiple unit (emu) sets) were removed overnight, with the “last two removed this afternoon.”
“We are now assessing the tracks and bring(ing) in all the resources we need,” Metro Trains CEO Mr O’Flaherty said.
The incident blocked the junction where the Mernda and Hurstbridge rail lines converge at Clifton Hill.
Images show a collapsed bogie where the wheels have detached from the train.
There is damage to the side of the train and also to trackside infrastructure.
Damage to railway overhead power lines can be seen with wiring becoming slack above the train.
Those wishing to watch the ‘crane in action’ have been asked to watch from Coulson Reserve.
This article was updated at 4:50pm with new information.
