100 left on tracks as train splits in middle

Rail chiefs today launched an inquiry after a train split in the middle, stranding 100 passengers in the rear half on busy tracks.

Wendy Toms, chairman of the watchdog Rail Passengers Council for Southern England who was on board said: "There was a tremendous jolt so severe my glasses came off. We sat for 45 minutes without being told what was going on. Then people said the front half of the train was missing."

It happened soon after Connex's 10pm Charing Cross to Ramsgate service left Orpington last night with about 260 passengers.

Both halves of the slamdoor train were backed to Orpington and passengers were picked up by a delayed, crowded later service.

New £1million replacement carriage stock is more than a year late because of many problems, one being they don't couple and uncouple properly. A Connex spokeswoman said: "The train has been taken out of service. Passengers weren't in danger but we apologise for long delays."