RAIL operator Northern has said that there will be 'significant disruption' to services on the Furness Line after a train derailment near Grange this morning.
The 5.18am service from Preston to Barrow came off the tracks because of a sinkhole near Grange station. The eight people on board - passengers and crew - were safely taken off the train.
Grange resident Paul Oldfield, who lives near the train line, said that this was between Holme Island and the Promenade.
READ MORE: Passengers evacuated after sinkhole derails Barrow train
The derailment was minor, but no trains are currently running between Barrow and Lancaster.
Tickets are being accepted on other routes and a rail replacement bus service is being planned.
A rail replacement service has been requested to run between Lancaster and Barrow calling at Lancaster, Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside, Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank, Cark, Ulverston, Dalton, Roose and Barrow.
Buses set off from Barrow and Lancaster at 10am and 9.30am respectively.
Mr Oldfield, who is a former British Rail driver, said he knew what the noise was when the train went past his house this morning.
"I looked out of the window and saw the train burying itself into the ballast in a plume of white dust just after 6am," he said.
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “Earlier this morning, a Northern train travelling towards Barrow came off the tracks near Grange-over-Sands station. There were four customers and four Northern colleagues on board. Everyone been safely escorted from the train.
“We are focusing on supporting colleagues and customers who were involved in the incident and on minimising the disruption this incident will cause to other services. We're working closely with Network Rail and others to understand more about what happened.
"No trains are running between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster and there will be significant disruption to our services in this area. Customers should look on our website or speak to a member of our team for more information."
Cumbrian Coast Line services from Barrow to Workington are not affected by the disruption.
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