AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a York-bound train struck equipment left on the line by contractors.

A passenger watchdog said the incident, which saw an Arriva Trains Northern vehicle collide with a portable generator left by York-based contractors Jarvis, was "disturbing".

But Arriva Trains Northern and Network Rail said passengers were never in danger, as the train - which had just left Leeds Station in the early hours of Sunday morning - was travelling slowly at the time of the incident.

Ernie Preston, York-based secretary of the watchdog group the North East Rail Passenger Committee, said: "It shouldn't have happened. I'm very disturbed to learn of the incident and somebody has got to find out what went wrong. If it was a generator this time, what's it going to be next time? Something bigger, something heavier? But I don't want to pre-judge the situation."

York students Rod Fry and John Matthews, both 25, of Heslington, boarded the early morning Manchester Airport to York train at Leeds.

Rod said: "The train stopped and we were told there was something wrong, it had hit something and they were going to have a look at it. It was more an inconvenience than anything, we were stood around until 5am.

"We didn't know anything was wrong until it stopped, but I've lost a bit of confidence in the railway industry."

A spokesman for Jarvis said: "There was a full investigation launched straight away. We have rigorous systems in place to identify the root of the problem, altering procedures where necessary to avoid a recurrence."

Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, said: "The train only sustained very minor damage and our customers were not at risk at any time. The train has since been repaired and is back in service.

"We are taking this matter up with Network Rail to ensure there is no repeat of this in the future."

A spokeswoman for Network Rail, said: "The train was travelling at a very low speed and there was no danger to the passengers. We work very hard as an industry to educate all our staff about safe working practice and there will be a full investigation into the incident."

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, April 08, 2003