COPPER thieves have plunged Melbourne's metropolitan rail network into chaos this morning.
Signal cables were stolen from locations near Merlynston, Upfield and Fawkner railway stations, with Metro Trains getting word of the thefts about 3.30am.
Lengthy delays ballooned to more than an hour on the Upfield and Sunbury lines, with the Craigieburn line also suffering from 40-minute delays earlier this morning.
A temporary loss of power between Ringwood and Camberwell also contributed to the transport woes of commuters on the Alamein, Belgrave, Glen Waverley and Lilydale lines, which experienced minor delays.
Metro Trains spokesman Daniel Hoare said that while he believed the faults had been repaired, the Upfield, Sunbury and Craigieburn lines continued to suffer heavy delays.
"All as a result of stolen cables," Mr Hoare said.
The Upfield line is experiencing delays up to 45 minutes, and 30-minute delays are clogging the Craigieburn and Sunbury lines.
Police are investigating the thefts.
Angus.thompson@news.com.au
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