A packed train was stranded for about an hour and a half in the middle of nowhere.

The peak-time service on the Airedale line was brought to a halt because of a broken-down train ahead of it.

At one stage passengers were plunged into complete darkness for around 15 minutes as power was shut down.

"It was absolutely horrendous," said Long Lee man Simon Wilkinson, who was among those aboard the train, yesterday's 5.20pm service from Leeds to Skipton.

"Many people including myself were standing because the train was so busy and apart from the occasional shunt forward we didn't move for one and a half hours.

"It was pitch black outside and we had no idea where we were. Passengers couldn't use the toilet and there was no air on the train - the windows were dripping with condensation. People were getting very distressed and feeling faint.

"We got no information apart from intermittent messages from the guard and when the power went off we heard nothing for about 10 minutes.

"I don't blame the guard, nor the company for a train breaking down, but there was no consideration for the needs of the passengers and there should be some plan in place for these situations."

Another passenger from Keighley, who asked not to be named, said some people in the carriages were struggling to breathe.

He said: "There was no room to move and the circulation of air was limited. The guard wouldn't open the windows. Eventually he did, but only on the first two carriages."

The train was eventually coupled to the broken-down service and pushed it to the next station, at Shipley, before proceeding to Skipton on a limited stop basis.

Mr Wilkinson, a press officer, got home at 8pm. His journey normally takes around half an hour.

Train operator Northern Rail apologises to passengers for their ordeal.

A spokesman said: "The train - a Class 333 - was used to assist the 1710 Leeds-Bradford Forster Square service, which had broken down at Kirkstall.

"It was necessary to shut down the power for a time.

"The guard was extremely busy trying to help the driver to get the trains moving again as quickly as possible."