Train services began running again through Stockport after Stockport railway line overhead wire damage forced the closure of all railway lines through the station. An empty Northern train became stranded near Stockport Viaduct shortly after midnight on Friday and blocked the line.
Clare Waller at Stockport
Clare Waller apologised to passengers for missing "the service they deserve or expect" and said, "Our teams have now fixed the damage to the power cables and the railway lines are reopen, but it will take some time still to get train services back to normal." Network Rail said the lines reopened shortly after 09:30 BST.
Network Rail and Friday
Chris Holpin said the closure had prevented empty trains from returning to depots overnight and would affect the timetable for much of Friday. Six train operators were affected, including Northern and CrossCountry, and services were cancelled, diverted or terminated earlier than scheduled.
Routes between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston, Sheffield, Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent were among those hit. Network Rail told passengers to check National Rail Enquiries and allow extra time for travel, while alternative train services, Bee Network buses and Metrolink trams could be used during the disruption.
The reopening ended the full closure through Stockport, but the timetable was still moving back toward normal after the repair work. Network Rail said services were not expected to be affected on Saturday.
