Manchester Piccadilly lightning strike disrupts trains
Trains from Manchester Piccadilly railway station suffered major disruption after a "massive" lightning strike hit the signalling system.
"Staff at our control centre saw a large flash just outside their window," said Martin Frobisher of Network Rail.
"It damaged all of the signalling equipment and the station came to a standstill."
He said the signalling system had been restored but it would take time for a normal service to resume.
Six operators, including the Virgin Trains service to London, were affected.
Some services were diverted to other stations, while a replacement bus service ran to Manchester Airport.
Tram services have also been disrupted with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) reporting a lightning strike on its depot in Queens Road which affected signalling.
TfGM said: "Passengers travelling on the Altrincham, Bury, Eccles/MediaCityUK and Droylsden lines may experience a delay to their journey this morning."
Greater Manchester Fire Service had to rescue drivers from two cars on Crossley Rd, Burnage, after they got stuck while driving through water.