Cut cable causes train stoppage in England

Thousands of commuters were stranded in Liverpool, England, Friday morning after the city's rail network failed, stopping 40 trains, officials said. A spokeswoman for Merseyrail said the shutdown occurred after a contractor cut through a cable at the company's control center, The Daily Telegraph reported. About 40 trains carrying 150 to 200 passengers each were affected by the disruption, the spokeswoman said. Some passengers were stuck in underground tunnels. ''A cable at the control center has been disturbed, all signals have been affected, Network Rail are currently unable to move any trains, delays expected, please await further info," said a statement on the Merseyrail Web site shortly after the stoppage