A train was derailed in Fife on Wednesday after torrential rain caused a landslide.
Around 30 passengers and two staff members were on board the Fife Circle service when the front carriage struck mud and left the line between Dunfermline Town and Rosyth.
None were injured but some elderly travellers were in a state of distress.
The incident, which occurred around 4.10pm as the southbound ScotRail service between Newcraighall and Edinburgh was passing Pitreavie Industrial Estate, came on a day of travel chaos caused by prolonged heavy downpours.
All Fife Circle services between Inverkeithing and Glenrothes with Thornton via Dunfermline were suspended and replacement road transport provided.
Meanwhile, several roads were shut around Fife due to severe flooding.
Train services in the west coast of Scotland were also disrupted by a landslip, which occurred on the West Highland line between Crianlarich and Oban.
Shaken passengers on the Fife train were checked at the scene by paramedics as firefighters assessed carriages. By 6.45pm they were all safely transferred to another train to continue their journey.
One eyewitness told how “scores” of emergency service vehicles quickly descended on the scene shortly after the accident occurred.
He saw passengers being checked by paramedics on board the stricken carriage and told The Courier: “They were being kept on board until the train came for them but there was talk of them being taken to shelter in a nearby gym.”
An investigation has been launched by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “The front carriage of the train derailed but remained upright. There were 32 people on board but there were no injuries. Inquiries are ongoing.”
A spokeswoman for ScotRail confirmed the train had struck a landslide and that the 30 passengers and two crew had escaped injury.
She added: “We have transferred passengers on to another train so that they can complete their journey to Edinburgh.”
The problems have now been cleared and trains are running normally this morning.
Photo David Wardle