This train was stuck on Auckland's eastern line from 8.30pm to about 11.45pm Thursday.

Passengers were stuck on an Auckland train for more than three hours after a crash just before the Meadowbank station.

One passenger said the train, which was travelling on the eastern line, had hit something about 8.30pm Thursday.

"The initial crash was quite scary – we hit something that felt very big and there was a metallic grinding sound," she said.

"It also seems as though the train is on a lean."

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The passenger said the train had not moved since then, and passengers were not permitted to disembark.

SCREENSHOT The train was stopped for three hours on the edge of the Purewa Cemetery.

"The staff have been walking up and down, getting increasingly agitated. No one has provided us with any information," she said.

"People are hungry, tired and need the bathroom. The mood is very frustrated and clearly losing patience. The air is stale and it really stinks."

The air conditioning was also turning off and on, and half of the lights had gone out, she said.

MATTHEW ROSENBERG/STUFF The train is towed to Meadowbank Station, more than three hours after it was due to arrive.

The lack of communication was contributing to the frustration, and there had been "no general announcements" made at all.

"Any information has been given by individual staff members who are walking up and down. Those staff members have all said that they're also waiting for information and become angry with us when we ask for an update."

The passenger thought there were about 50 passengers on the train in total.

SUPPLIED Passengers disembark at Meadowbank Station just before midnight on Thursday.

"At this stage we have not been told what has happened or when we can leave."

A police spokeswoman said she did not have any information to hand about the incident.

A KiwiRail spokesman referred all questions to Auckland Transport, which could not be reached.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission also would not comment.

About 11.45pm, the train was finally towed the short distance to the Meadowbank station, where taxis commissioned by Auckland Transport took the passengers home.

A security guard at the station told Stuff the train had hit something, but said there was no further information.