Many travellers hoping to see the Tall Ships have been left stranded at stations. Reports have circulated of crowded trains on the Londonderry line passing though stations without stopping.

The BBC reports a number of callers complaining about the situation, but a number of passengers have managed to take alternative transport.

A Translink spokesman said that every available bus and train was in service, and thousands of people had already been brought to the event successfully.

“There has been congestion on some services but this is a huge event and literally every bus and train that we have available is out on our network, he added.

Maeve Magowan, who wanted to catch the 1028 BST train from Ballymoney to Belfast to visit the Tall Ships told BBC radio that the train arrived late, travelled slowly towards the station and a guard shouted that no one could board the train.

She said “The train was absolutely bunged and they wouldn’t allow anybody on the platform.”

She estimates there were about 100 people affected at the station, including many children.

Some bus routes have also reported problems, with a bus driver in Newry describing the situation as ‘chaos’.

He said “Our buses are getting packed with people coming up from Newry City Centre.

“We are getting packed and then taking them to the train station in Newry and it is full and people are just being told there is no room”.

Thanks to bbcnews.co.uk for the above quotes.  For more information please visit their website.