TRAMS are finally back running between Bury and Whitefield after a derailed train caused more than 24 hours of delays.

The train, which is owned by Network Rail but was being operated at the time by JSD Rail, came off the tracks on the East Lancashire Railway near Radcliffe on Tuesday morning.

Metrolink officials reported that Network Rail had been at the site until 3am trying to fix the issue and were at the site again this morning.

Replacement bus services have been in operation and passengers travelling towards Manchester from Whitefield were advised to use the Bury-bound platform instead.

A Metrolink spokesman said this morning: "Metrolink customers are advised that services between Bury and Whitefield continue to be suspended this morning, Wednesday, due to a derailed train blocking the line.

"The latest information from Network Rail on the recovery effort indicates that normal Metrolink services could be restored by early afternoon, but customers are advised to check www.metrolink.co.uk or @MCRMetrolink on Twitter before they travel.

"Network Rail engineers worked throughout the night to move their stricken train, operated by JSD Rail, which derailed at the East Lancs Railway’s junction with the Metrolink line at Radcliffe mid Tuesday morning.

"Metrolink services between Bury and Whitefield have been suspended since and were expected to return to normal this morning. However, due to the complexity of the derailment, Network Rail have not yet been able to clear the line.

"As a result, Metrolink services will continue to be suspended between Bury and Whitefield until further notice, and a full replacement bus service is serving the Bury, Radcliffe and Whitefield stops.

"Metrolink apologises for any inconvenience caused by this incident, which is outside of its control. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating the derailment."

Mike Kelly, chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, added: "At the time of the incident the Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) was under the control of JSD Rail who were carrying out operator familiarisation on the vehicle. This is a service contract being facilitated by the ELR for this purpose.

"The RAIB and HMRI both attended site and have carried out their respective enquiries into the incident. The ELR has and will continue to fully co-operate with these bodies. The cause of the problem appears to centre on a failure of the MPVs safety systems.

"A re-railing crew arriving on site last night (March 22) but only one half of the unit has been re-railed and recovered to Baron Street yard by 02:45 hours and it is not expected that the site will be clear sufficient for Metrolink services to recommence before mid to late morning. The crew have found jacking a challenge as a result of the steep embankment and the height of the chess side ballast shoulder.

"With regard to the trap points, our Permanent Way Team have been requested to remove the rails at the bottom of the yard until such time as this whole matter has been resolved.  HMRI will be informed of the action we have taken. The incident will be discussed at the next Company Board meeting (1 April) with a view to better managing risk of a similar future occurrence."