HUNDREDS of rail passengers in Wokingham experienced a disrupted journey home this evening after the line between the town and Reading was blocked by a broken down train.
Services began to stall just after 4pm on Monday when a commuter train encountered a problem at Winnersh station, with the issue causing delays to the timetables run in the area by both South West Trains and Great Western Railway for some three hours.
The affected train has since been repaired and services have been resuming within the last hour, but scores of commuters have had to find an alternative method of transportation to either get home or to their desired destination, with many opting to jump on a bus or in a taxi.
This, however, had a knock on effect elsewhere, with Reading Buses reporting earlier how its Lion 4 service serving the two towns was running at capacity, while trains due to run from London Waterloo to Reading were terminating at Wokingham.
Services between Reading and Gatwick Airport were also affected.
A replacement bus service serving all stations through to Reading (Winnersh, Winnersh Triangle and Earley) were also laid on for the stricken passengers who packed out the two platforms at Wokingham and its surrounds while awaiting news of the issue.
Unconfirmed reports, however, suggest those on board the broken down train were asked to remain in the carriages throughout, with it also claimed one passenger may have been taken unwell while the train stood at a halt.
More to come on this story as we get it.
Pictures: Paul King.
