National Rail said the alterations caused by damage to overhead wire cables will apply until further notice.

BBC: Severe weather in Lancashire

The locomotive and the next two vehicles travel over the fracture point without coming to harm but the HSE can tell from damage caused to the underside of the coaches that the rail had already started to disintegrate.

BBC: Hatfield: The accident in detail

"There is major damage on each and every one of New Jersey's rail lines, " Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday.

WSJ: Travelers Face a Nightmare