"It looks like this is the sort of thing that has happened but it’s too early to say definitely. It happened at Kirkdale Depot and is affecting services on the main line to Ormskirk and Kirkby.

"The train derailed at points on the North Side towards Walton and as a result trains on the main line can’t go past so services are disrupted.

"There is a bus replacement service between Sandhills and Maghull and then the trains continue.

"Nobody has been injured so that’s a good thing but it is affecting services which is not good."

Engineers will have to use airbags to get the train back on the track.

It had not overturned but putting it on the tracks is set to be a day-long job.

Mr Boersma continued: "Our own staff are investigating and there are procedures to be followed.

"There will be an official investigation but it is too early to say what the results will be.

"We will carry out a detailed investigation to find out the full circumstances of the derailment.

"These investigations are aways carried out when there is this type of accident."

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Regional Ambulance Service confirmed no one was injured in the incident.