The Westport to Dublin rail line has been disrupted until further notice following a fire in the undercarriage area near the gearbox of a train.
A fire developed on the 12:45 Heuston to Westport service between Athlone and Roscommon today, near Glanduff Level Crossing.
In a statement to Midwest Radio, Irish Rail said the fire was confined to the undercarriage and no part of the passenger area of the train was affected.
Fire suppression systems were activated and the driver used fire extinguishers to put the fire out.
As a precaution and due to smoke, the driver arranged for customers to move from the relevant carriage to an adjoining carriage, and the fire services were alerted and attended.
Bus transfers have been arranged and approximately 100 customers on board have been detrained and brought to the level crossing, where the buses are being dispatched.
Irish Rail has apologised for the inconvenience cause to customers on the train, as well as those on later trains who may be delayed or require bus transfers.
