Trains are unlikely to run on most of the South Coast line until Sunday afternoon at the earliest after a freight train derailed this morning.Authorities suspect a broken axle may have caused a Pacific National freight train carrying coal to derail at Clifton about 12.25am, leaving five wagons tipped on their sides and their loads spilled.

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RailCorp engineers are at the scene, but the company’s acting chief operating officer has said repair work will continue into the weekend.Tony Eid apologised for the inconvenience to commuters and said it was ‘‘not exactly a pleasant moment’’.
View Clifton derailment in a larger map‘‘Before we start that it is important to note we would like apologise to the customers today. It is raining so it is not exactly a pleasant moment for them. Due to the Pacific National freight train that is totally blocking the line it has made it an unpleasant journey, as they woke up this morning,’’ he said.A spokeswoman for the Independent Transport Safety Regulator said it was suspected a broken axle was responsible for the derailment.Aerial video of the site by Mercury photographer Andy ZakeliBuses continue to replace trains between Thirroul and Waterfall, while shuttle train services are operating between Port Kembla and Wollongong and between Dapto and Thirroul.Regular trains are operating between Helensburgh and Sydney. The Waterfall carpark is closed to commuters to allow the replacement buses to stop at the station. Transport NSW advises commuters should not attempt to park at Waterfall station. Buses are also replacing trains between Bomaderry (Nowra) and Dapto due to major trackwork that can not be suspended.Commuters are advised to allow extensive additional travel time.Pacific National, the Independent Transport Safety Regulator and the Office of Transport Safety Investigations are investigating the derailment.Commuters arrive at Waterfall station this morning