STEAMED up rail travellers to Bolton were held up by a blast from the past when a replica steam engine burst through museum barriers and headed for the main line.

Trains between Manchester and Bolton came to a standstill at lunchtime on Sunday after the model of George Stephenson's 1830 Planet locomotive broke from its moorings at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and lurched towards the line.

The 10 tonne replica, normally used for visitor rides, was eventually derailed by a series of points which stopped it short of the main line.

But 13 trains were delayed as staff made sure local signals were not damaged.

Director of the museum Peter Greene said the model was being steamed up for that day's rides when the incident occured.

"No one was hurt and no-one was at any risk.

"An investigation is now being carried out to see if it was human or mechanical error," he said.

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