Sydney Train Power Outage Traps Passengers, Disrupts Network Across Multiple Lines

A power outage caused by a fallen live wire onto a train at Strathfield Station in Sydney's inner west on Tuesday afternoon has triggered widespread disruptions across multiple train lines, leaving up to 300 passengers trapped and causing significant delays and cancellations. The incident has impacted major lines including the T1 North Shore and Western Line, T2 Inner West and Leppington Line, T3 Liverpool and Inner West Line, T9 Northern, Central Coast and Newcastle Line, and Blue Mountains Line, with most services between Central and Lidcombe halted and only limited shuttle trains operating. Transport for NSW has urged commuters to avoid all non-essential travel and consider alternative transport, warning of continued delays and reduced frequency throughout the day, supplemented by bus services between Lidcombe and Ashfield. Emergency crews safely evacuated stranded passengers after about three hours, and repairs to the overhead wiring were completed early Wednesday morning, although full normal timetable services are not expected until later in the day. Transport officials described the event as catastrophic and dangerous, with a 1500-volt power connector resting on the train roof, but assured that power was switched off to ensure passenger safety during the ordeal. Commuters faced crowded platforms, blank information screens, and long queues for replacement buses, with authorities apologizing for the inconvenience and advising travelers to plan ahead and allow extra time if travel is necessary.