Train driver 'freewheels' broken down train 13 MILES to London Euston after a power cut

A train driver managed to "freewheel" a broken down train for 13 miles into London Euston after a power cut.

Commuters on the 9.54am London Northwestern Railway service from Birmingham New Street were saved from a major delay on Tuesday by the driver's quick thinking.

The four-carriage service came to a halt at Bushey, near Watford after it suddenly lost power at around noon.

And despite several attempts to kick-start the train, it appeared the service was stranded.

But the driver came up with a solution, announcing to passengers his intention to let the train glide into the capital using gravity.

Using the downhill slope from the Hertfordshire town into London, he was able to keep the broken train moving without power.

And the train arrived at Euston just minutes behind schedule, the railway line confirmed.

The stretch between Euston and Watford Junction, where the train lost power, is the busiest stretch of railway in western Europe.

A spokesman from London Northwestern Railway said: "This was exactly the right thing to do as long as the driver has full control of the train.

"Our drivers are trained to operate our trains even when no power is available.

"By taking this decision, not only where all of the passengers delivered safely to their destination the line was kept clear for other trains. This is the busiest stretch of railway in Europe.

"If the train had become stranded en route it could have caused disruption for tens of thousands of other rail users."