The Liverpool-Manchester railway line is set to be closed for much of the day after a car crashed on to the tracks at Salford
Train services on the Chat Moss line to destinations across northern England and north Wales are expected to be severely disrupted for the rest of the day
Network Rail says the car has now been removed and they are repairing the overhead power lines
Police say the driver - a man in his 30s - has been arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving and has been taken to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening
Rail replacement buses are running, and you can find the details on the National Rail website
Northern Trains has shared an image showing the extent of the damage to the car which crashed on to the tracks.
It says the line is expected to be closed for most of the day while Network Rail clears the vehicle and debris as well as repair damaged wires and tracks.
Image source, Northern TrainsThe burnt-out car is straddling both lines, with work under way to remove it and repair the damage caused
The car plummeted on to the Chat Moss line in Salford, which links Manchester and Liverpool.
When it opened in 1830, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway line was, according to the Science and Industry Museum, external in Manchester, "the world's first steam-powered, inter-urban railway designed to transport both passengers and goods".
The museum said: "Goods traffic was at an all-time high between Liverpool and Manchester in the 1820s. Liverpool was the country's main port for raw cotton, and Manchester's mills devoured as much of it as they could, sending heaps of finished textiles back to Liverpool and out across the world."
Phil Cunliffe
BBC North West Tonight
A road-railer - which, as its name suggests, can operate on tracks as well as roads - is on its way to the site to hoist the BMW off the tracks. We think this will be taken away by a works train.
There is considerable damage to overhead power cables on one side of the cutting.
The car which has overturned is straddling both tracks of the main line between Liverpool and Manchester.
A resident says he saw glass strewn around the site of the crash while out walking his dog this morning.
"There were bits of car everywhere and you couldn't walk," says the man, who does not wish to be named.
He says he had to find an alternative route as he was worried about the glass causing injuries to his dog.
According to National Rail, external, the major disruption to services is expected to continue all day.
All lines are closed through Eccles, with no trains running through the station.
Image source, National RailImages from Network Rail, taken in the early hours, show engineers assessing the damage. A burnt-out car is lying upside down across both tracks.
A section of the concrete barrier on the railway bridge is missing where the car crashed through.
Image source, Network RailEngineers have been at the scene of the crash since the early hours
Image source, Network RailThe burnt out car as seen from the railway line
Michelle Adamson
BBC Radio Manchester reporter
I've seen a team putting climbing gear on and abseiling from the bridge which the car crashed through this morning. They have been inspecting for damage to its structural integrity.
Engineers tell me they are waiting for a vehicle to come on to the tracks. There is debris including glass and wires everywhere.
It seems the car involved in the crash passed between two trees. I don't know how as the gap is literally the width of the car.
The concrete from the barrier it went through is about four inches thick and a slab of that concrete has fallen on to the track below.
This is the scene of the crash this morning, with the car lying across the railway tracks.
A police cordon is in place where the vehicle is said to have driven through a barrier.
Video shows the scene in Salford where a car crashed on to the railway tracks
Racing journalist Neil Watson is among those whose Friday morning isn't going to plan as the main railway line between Manchester and Liverpool is closed for the foreseeable...
Image source, X
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Greater Manchester Police say the car's driver has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
Meanwhile, British Transport Police have confirmed the driver has been taken to hospital but is not thought to be badly injured.
"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing," police say.
Michelle Adamson from BBC Radio Manchester is at the scene and says the car is "straddled across both tracks".
She says the overhead line appears to have "buckled over" and looks to need "some serious repairs".
She is being told that it will take a considerable part of the day to carry out repairs on this main line between Liverpool and Manchester.
This is the current message for travellers in the area from National Rail: , external
Quote MessageDue to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Newton-le-Willows / Wigan North Western and Manchester Oxford Road / Manchester Victoria all lines are currently closed. As a result, trains may be cancelled or diverted. Major disruption is expected until the end of the day.
National Rail
The site is also recommending travellers use the hashtag #Eccles, external to follow developments on X.
If your journey is affected, tickets are being accepted on alternative rail services where applicable.
A rail replacement bus service has also been organised.
National Rail, which represents train operating companies, said disruption between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester's Oxford Road and Victoria stations was expected until 13:00 GMT.
Customers can use their ticket on the replacement services running at 30 minutes past every hour between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester Victoria. The last service leaves at 12:30 GMT.
Passengers travelling from Liverpool Lime Street who need Manchester stations can travel via Warrington Bank Quay.
There’s more information on their website., external
The crash happened at night.
From the pictures below, we can see the car on its roof. The wreckage looks beyond repair.
There is also a trail of debris around the car.
The driver has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. They have suffered serious but not life threatening injuries and are in hospital.
Image source, GMP
Image source, GMPThe car crash has caused significant damage to the railway tracks and overhead power lines, Network Rail says.
It means that no trains can run on the Chat Moss line, which connects Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly, until repairs are carried out.
Services on Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express and Northern Rail face significant disruption.
Here are the affected routes:
Imogen James
BBC News
Bad news if you're travelling by train between Liverpool and Manchester today.
A car crashed last night near Regent Road roundabout in Salford, landing on the railway tracks, where it still remains.
The crash caused serious damage to the tracks and overhead cables.
Until it is cleared, there will be extensive disruption on train routes between Liverpool and Manchester today, Network Rail says.
We will be bringing you the latest on the travel chaos and alternative options to help you get from A to B, so stay tuned.