Train passengers were forced to dismount moments into their Melbourne-bound journey following an engine fault on Friday.
The 7.10am service from Swan Hill to Southern Cross Station was forced to end its journey just south of Lake Charm, near Kerang.
The 80 commuters on board were transferred to replacement coaches, which completed the service to Southern Cross Station.
V/Line spokesperson Catalina Filip said the 7.41am service from Melbourne to Swan Hill operated as a train, before it was replaced by coaches from Bendigo, as the faulty train blocked the line.
“The locomotive has been sent for repairs and is expected to return to service in the coming days,” Ms Filip said.
The 12.41pm service from Swan Hill was replaced by coaches, while the regional train operator said no other services were expected to be replaced.
“Service changes were communicated to customers via the V/Line website, mobile app and Twitter feed as well as SMS and email notifications for customers signed up to Inform,” Ms Filip said.
Passengers were forced to wait up to three hours for replacement buses, with both elderly commuters and children among those impacted.
They were not compensated by V/Line for the service delay.
