Passengers told how acrid smoke filled their carriage as their broken-down train came to a “juddering halt”.

The Southeastern service between Ashford and Maidstone East ran into trouble after setting off at 10.45am today.

The cause of the malfunction, which created delays of over an hour, is currently unknown.

Kent County Council Conservative cabinet member Cllr Dylan Jeffrey said on social media networking site X at 12.30pm the train was stuck between Ashford and Charing for an hour.

“Very exciting or not as the case might be on Southeastern Railway,” he posted.

“Lots of acrid smoke filled the air on our train came to a juddering halt.”

“We’ve been informed a rescue train is on the way to take us back to Ashford. We are still waiting.”

He also posted a screenshot of his conversation with Southeastern who informed him a rescue train was on the way just before 12pm.

The train would be attached to the back of the one he was on and passengers would walk through to it, according to Southeastern.

At the time, passengers were advised to use their ticket on Stagecoach bus route 10X at no extra cost as an alternative service.

Posting at 1.25pm today, Southeastern said: “Services are no longer disrupted between Ashford and Maidstone East, following a broken down train at Charing earlier.”

The firm also told passengers they can claim a refund if their journey was delayed by fifteen minutes or more.