Trains remain suspended after car falls from bridge, lands on tracks in the Blue Mountains
The sole driver of the car, a man in his 20s, escaped with minor injuries. (X: Transport for NSW)
In short:
A car veered off a bridge onto train tracks at Blaxland causing extensive damage to overhead wiring.
The sole driver of the car, a man in his 20s, escaped with minor injuries.
Complex rectification works are continuing into Thursday morning's peak period.
Train services remain suspended on the Blue Mountains line after a car fell onto railway tracks, with commuters warned to expect ongoing delays during peak hour travel on Thursday morning.
The car veered off Great Western Highway at Blaxland before falling 10 metres from a bridge, striking overhead wires and landing on its roof about 6am on Wednesday.
The sole driver of the car, a man in his 20s, escaped with minor injuries.
The crash caused significant damage to overhead electrical wiring. (Supplied: Fire and Rescue NSW)
The vehicle was lifted from the tracks by a forklift but the crash had caused complex damage to overhead wiring, halting services for more than 24 hours.
At least 15 replacement buses have been running from 3am today between Springwood and Penrith.
Trains continue to run between Lithgow, Mount Victoria, and Springwood. T1 Western Line services are operating between Emu Plains and Penrith.
Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said crews have been working for more than 24 hours to get trains back up and running.
"We are running well in terms of getting those services restored but unfortunately for our passengers, it won't be in time for the morning peak," he said.
"The tough part at first was to get this car out of this cutting … then we had to survey the damage and the car had created a further problem for crews as it had torn down overhead wiring.
"Yesterday crews fabricated new equipment in Sydney, they drove it to the mountains and have been installing it all night."
'Significant' delays for peak periods
TFNSW implemented a surge price cap for Uber in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday, though no word was given as for Thursday's morning peak period.
"Sydney Trains thanks passengers for their patience as these necessary repairs are completed to restore the Blue Mountains Line and apologises for the inconvenience," the spokesperson said.
The works will likely not be completed before Thursday morning's peak period. (Supplied)
Transport Management Centre senior spokesperson Alf Paranihi said on Wednesday that the delays on public transport had been "significant".
"Crews that are on site are trying to work out a plan on the best way of getting the line up and running again," Mr Paranihi said.
"Factor in plenty of travel time or even consider delaying your journey."
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the overhead wires had been shut off for the retrieval of the vehicle and that the safety of emergency workers was the priority.
"Anytime you're going onto the rail corridor it is hard, it's dangerous," Superintendent Dewberry said.
"You can't get on it until you're sure, confirmed, the trains have been stopped."
An investigation into the circumstances behind the crash is underway.