THE WEST Coast Main Line through Cumbria is back open following a derailment that has caused havoc for passengers.

Trains have been cancelled throughout the day.

Early indications were that passengers would face disruption until 9pm.

National Rail now says that disruption will last until around 6pm.

A tamper train, used during engineering works, derailed early today between Oxenholme and Lancaster causing disruption between Preston and Carlisle. It was rerailed shortly before 4pm, allowing lines to reopen.

It meant there were no trains between Carlisle and Preston. Services between Oxenholme and Windermere were also off.

Replacement buses were drafted in but the derailment resulted in delays which resulted in hundreds of passengers waiting on platforms and around stations.

Due to a subsequent displacement of trains and crew, trains between Oxenholme and Windermere are expected to resume with the 17.33 Oxenholme-Windermere service.

Virgin Trains passengers who didn't travel today can use their tickets tomorrow (MON).

Passengers can also use alternative routes.

TransPennine Express passengers can use their tickets on CrossCountry services between Leeds and Edinburgh/Glasgow Central, Virgin Trains East Coast between York and Edinburgh and Virgin Trains services between Oxenholme and Carlisle.

Meanwhile Virgin Trains passengers who wanted to use the West Coast Main Line can use their tickets instead on TransPennine Express between Preston and Lancaster, CrossCountry and ScotRail services on reasonable routes and Virgin Trains East Coast between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh.