A passenger train with about 100 people on board was almost derailed after hitting stones and rubbish which were deliberately left on the line. British Transport Police said the train, which was travelling from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow, sustained "considerable damage" in the incident.
The train hit the mound of debris just outside Whinhill station, Greenock, at 1720 GMT on Sunday.
A police spokesman said officers were certain that the debris, which included stones and discarded rubbish, had been set up intentionally.
He said: "Under no circumstances was this obstruction accidental.
Vandalism concern
"Fortunately the train did not hit it with enough speed to derail it but we are treating this very seriously as the results could have been very serious."
The train, which was pulling three carriages, had just left the station and passed through the Cartsburn tunnel when it struck the debris.
No passengers were injured in the incident.
The incident happened amid continuing concern about the level of vandalism on Scotland's railways.
One-Minute World News 
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