Cranes are being used to lift the train back on to the tracks

The engine, operated by the private East Lancashire Railway, came off the tracks in Heywood near Rochdale on Wednesday night.

The incident happened close to a level crossing at Green Lane, at about 2115 BST and company bosses say vandalism to a set of points is to blame.

A crane was being used to lift the engine back on to the line, which is part of a rail extension that the company opened in September.

'Large bang'

A 60-year-old locomotive - the Glasgow Highlander - was involved in the incident.

Christopher Birmingham, who was on board the engine at the time of the incident, said he was shocked by the experience.

"I had just come across the crossing and I was waiting for the back end of the train to come off the crossing," he told BBC GMR.

"The next thing there was just a very large bang and the engine was shaking. It was something I never want to experience again - it's something I never thought I would."