Passengers had been held on the warm train since about 3.05pm, when it halted between Revesby and Panania station.

Commuters were told they had to stay on the train as a safety precaution related to an issues with the power lines, before being escorted off between 4.30pm and 5pm.
They initially milled around on the side of the road before buses arrived from 5pm to ferry communters onwards.

The final passengers were evacuated from the train about 5pm, with the last to leave including people with luggage heading home from the airport and others with bulky items such as prams.

Pasengers waiting to exit the train after panels were removed from it.

The emergency was believed to prompted by issues with the overhead power lines.

Images taken by a passenger who was evacuated from the train showed power lines lying on the roof of the train and trailing down the side.

A power line lying on the top of the halted train.

All trains running between Panania and Glenfield in both directions on the Macarthur Airport line were stopped.

“Delays are expected on the East Hills, T8 Airport and South, T2 Inner West and T3 Bankstown lines this afternoon, and customers are advised to delay travel or consider other forms of transport,” a Sydney Trains spokesperson said.

The stranded train during evacuation.

The stranded train during evacuation.

Passengers off the train and onto the roadside, awaiting buses to pick them up.

“Crews are currently on site conducting urgent repairs. Sydney Trains apologises for the inconvenience and thanks our customers for their patience.”

Just two days after the entire Sydney Trains network grinded to a halt, commuters on the T8 Airport and South Line are facing yet more delays in the lead-up to peak hour.

On board the train

When the train came to a sudden, unexpected halt about 3.30pm, one passenger on the train reported an overhead announcement said emergency services were on the way and passengers were going to be evacuated off the train.
He said lights in the carriages momentarily went out before the train came to a complete stop.

Sydney Train staff member outside the train.

What appears to be a wire across the tracks.

Passengers soon began to feel the heat, with airconditioning appearing to be off.

The passenger reported that travellers were told they needed to wait for emergency services to arrive and no one was allowed to leave the train until the power was isolated in case the train had been electrified. They were told they were in no immediate danger if they stayed on the train.

Tensions on-board the train quickly escalated, with frustrated passengers clashing with train staff trying to manage the situation.

One passenger, requesting doors be opened so he could urinate, was met with a frustrated Sydney Trains employee.

The location of the stranded train.

One passenger relieved himself into a bag after passengers were refused permission to get off for safety reasons.

“If you want to go piss in the middle of the train, mate, I can’t stop you,” the staff member told him.

The agitated Sydney Trains employee explained the entire train and track could be electrified and he wasn’t risking the lives of hundreds of people on the train because someone needed to use the bathroom.|

One man then urinated into a plastic bag, while a number of other passengers continued arguing with staff.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said replacement buses were on their way to the location to help passengers continue their journeys but travellers are advised to delay their trips or allow plenty of extra travel time.

Trains are still running between Glenfield and the city via Liverpool, as well as between Revesby and the city.

Earlier today the CBD light rail was also impacted by overhead wiring repairs, with services between Central and Circular Quay cancelled.