Melbourne Express: Wednesday, April 26, 2017

That's it for Melbourne Express for today. We will be back on deck tomorrow. Stay dry and warm. Or frolic in the snow if you have some to hand.

We will have updates today on the Burnley station underpass flood. Keep up with the news now via www.theage.com.au.

Mt Hotham snow this morning. Photo: Karl Gray

Updating the headlines:

• Heavy rain and hail have stormed Blackburn and Burnley stations causing trains to bypass the station (posts 5.54am and 8.45am);
• Tram crews had to jack up a tram to free a woman's leg trapped between a tram and a platform (post 8.37am); and
• Cricket Australia is facing a major revenue crisis after global investment bank UBS urged broadcast partner Nine to axe cricket coverage because the network is losing up to $40 million every year televising the sport.
  

  Blackburn train station was closed when waters flooded the subway to the city-bound platform. Photo: Eddie Jim

Blackburn station has reopened to all services.

Crews have removed the flood waters from the underpass. The station was reopened at 10.20am.

Burnley station remains closed to all train services. Metro Trains says it is not clear when it will reopen.

Blackburn and Burnley stations remain closed and will continue to be so.

Metro Trains says it has no estimated time when the water will be removed from either station. We will keep you posted.

All trains are bypassing Burnley station and only outbound trains are stopping at Blackburn.

All city-bound trains will not stop at Blackburn until further notice due.

Blackburn train station closed to all city-bound trains due to a subway flood. Photo: Eddie Jim

More flooding and hail pictures coming in. The inner east including Richmond have copped it.

The Eastern Freeway vehicle breakdown near Hoddle Street is now cleared. It's taking a more reasonable 25 minutes to get in from Springvale Road. 

The Cranbourne line is no longer suspended between Cranbourne and Dandenong after a car damaged a level crossing at Merinda Park. There are now major delays.

"This is going to take a while."

Blackburn station continues to be flooded. Our photographer Eddie Jim has snapped a few great shots.

Closure of the Blackburn train station due to the flooding in the tunnel through to platforms. Photo: Eddie Jim

Looks like the unruly passenger has been moved on from routes 70 and 75.

Traffic remains heavy on the roads.

Update on the Cranbourne line. It appears that a car has hit the level crossing at Merinda Park.

The line is suspended and buses are replacing trains between Dandenong and Cranbourne. Buses are ordered but are not there yet.

More unruly passengers. Now route 70 and 75 trams are delayed on Riversdale Road towards Docklands. Passengers report a wait of 90 minutes.

Buses are also leaking this morning in the deluge. Route 279, this is your moment.

Route 86 also looks painful.

Mixing three of our favourite topics at Melbourne Express - weather, trains and coffee. 

The Cranbourne line is now suspended.

Train services have been suspended between Dandenong and Cranbourne due to a track equipment fault at Merinda Park.

Replacement buses have been ordered, Metro Trains says.

Inbound traffic is building on the Monash Freeway after a vehicle breakdown near Brady Road in Rowville, reports Ebony Bowden.

The second right lane is closed inbound. VicRoads is on the way and has warned of traffic delays.

Check out the Burnley canal. Thanks to Josh Chapman for these priceless pictures. Canoe anyone?

Hail in Kew!

The Heatherton Road lights that were out at Endeavour Hills have now been fixed, VicRoads says.