Track congestion, a trespasser and a signal fault have thrown the Warrnambool line into chaos with five cancellations in less than 24 hours.

Saturday services were affected by a trespasser at Geelong, which meant the 7am service to Warrnambool was delayed by 30 minutes and the 7.37am service to Southern Cross delayed by 50 minutes. 

A signal fault delayed Sunday morning services by about 20 minutes while a level crossing fault near Sherwood Park Station in the evening resulted in trains being replaced by road coaches at Geelong. 

The 5.34pm service to Southern Cross was delayed for half an hour before continuing it’s journey – only to be delayed a further 60 minutes about two hours later. 

The chaos continued into Monday with five trains replaced by road coaches following a train fault.

Passengers on the 1.05pm service to Warrnambool were asked to board the South Geelong service and transfer to road coaches at Geelong. 

A V/Line spokesman said passengers whose journey was delayed by more than 60 minutes were encouraged to contact V/Line to discuss their eligibility for compensation. 

“Safety is V/Line’s first priority and trains were slowed through the affected sections until the faults were rectified and the track cleared,” he said.

“We apologise to Warrnambool line passengers whose journey was delayed or altered over the weekend and Monday.”