UPDATE: GEELONG commuters travelling to tonight’s AFL blockbuster between rivals the Cats and Hawks have been warned to allow an extra hour, with disruptions caused by a collision between two passenger trains expected to stretch into tonight.

They will have to travel by bus too, with coach services replacing special football trains for the MCG match-of-the-round

The citybound V/Line service and Metro service it hit from behind after it stopped unexectedly in Altona on Friday night were finally able to be separated about 2.15pm on Saturday.

They had been stranded on the tracks near the Maidstone St level crossing since the collision about 7pm yesterday as the cause of the accident was investigated.

“Metro and V/Line engineers are now inspecting the vehicles to determine the best way to clear the scene,” Public Transport Victoria chief executive Mark Wild said.

Several people were injured in the collision, with four taken to hospital, including the driver of the V/Line train.

The collision caused Geelong V/Line trains to be replaced with coaches in both directions last night and caused minor delays on Metro’s Werribee line, with trains forced to run through the Altona Loop.

media_camera Detectives and emergency services at the scene. Picture: Tim Carrafa

V/Line was still running express coaches on the Geelong line between Southern Cross and Werribee today, but trains had resumed between Werribee and Marshall.

“Customers for stations between Werribee and the city will need to change at Werribee and travel on Metro trains,” a V/Line spokesman said.

A PTV spokeswoman said this would be the case for the rest of the day.

Special football trains departing South Geelong at 4.18pm and 5.18pm will also be replaced by coaches to Southern Cross Station.

“VLine has secured an additional 50 coaches to transport customers travelling to Melbourne for tonight’s football match at the MCG,” PTV chief executive Mr Wild said.

Maidstone Rd also remained closed between Koroit Creek Rd and Civic Pde, Altona, this morning as the collision was investigated.

VicRoads said Millers Rd was an alternative route.

Metro’s Werribee line was running as normal this afternoon.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Jo Stafford said a Transit Crime Investigation Unit detective would head to the scene today to probe the cause of the collision.

Inspector Graham Higginbotham said last night that a thorough investigation would determine what caused the passenger train to stop.

“We are investigating all circumstances,” he said.

The conductor of the V/Line service was also injured in the crash, but there were no passengers on board.

media_camera Stranded passengers walk back along side the tracks to buses. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Paramedics also treated seven passengers from the Metro train for minor injuries.

Ambulance Victoria health commander Andrew Watson said the passengers’ injuries included whip lash and back pain.

“There were a number of passengers who were quite concerned by what had happened to them,” he said.

“To be on the train in early evening — most of them heading home, I would suggest — were a bit shocked that their commute terminated in a walkout along a dirt track.”

Emergency services evacuated about 60 passengers from the Metro train.

Passer-by Tim Maloney said there appeared to be minimal damage to both trains.

angus.thompson@news.com.au