BUSES are replacing some North Coast passenger train services after a train derailment north of Grafton.
The Newcastle Herald understands the ballast train derailed on Wednesday evening.
It remains upright with one bogie on a wagon believed to be off the tracks north of Grafton.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation is working on alternative train operations and has begun work to repair damaged track.
The 5:55am Brisbane to Sydney XPT train on Thursday was replaced by a bus for the entire journey. The train usually stops at Dungog, Maitland and Broadmeadow.
One passenger on the replacement bus service told the Newcastle Herald that NSW TrainLink had treated passengers "like second-class citizens".
She said passengers were told in Brisbane the bus would only run to Grafton, where the journey would continue by train, but that did not prevail.
She said there were about 50 people on the replacement bus, which did not have a toilet and had not stopped for food or drinks, nor was food or drink allowed on the bus.
"They could have told me last night, I could have driven my car to Sydney," she said on Thursday morning.
"It's an unbelievable lack of customer service. They've hardly told us anything.
"People need to be given a full refund."
XPT services from Sydney to Casino and Brisbane will be replaced by buses from Grafton, while the Sydney to Grafton XPT is replaced by a bus the entire route.
A NSW TrainLink spokesperson said services would not resume until ARTC advised that it was safe to do so.
"The Sydney to Grafton XPT service has been replaced by road coaches in both directions due to essential maintenance," the spokesperson said.
"Other rail services north of Grafton are being replaced by coaches due to a freight train derailment at North Grafton."
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