POLICE have reappealed for information nearly a month after vandals attempted to derail a train by placing a 16 foot long piece of track across the line.

As reported in the Journal, the track jammed under the front carriage of the 1.10am service from Manchester Airport to Blackpool North as it travelled at 60 mph between Atherton and Hag Fold stations on Friday March 16.

The train -- carrying 16 passengers -- screeched to a halt yards down the line.

It did not derail but a woman from Glossop was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from whiplash injuries. She was released after being detained overnight. A £2,000 reward has been offered for any information which leads to the vandals' conviction.

But police this week admitted they were no nearer to tracing the culprits as they made a second appeal for help from Atherton people.

A British Transport Police spokesman said detectives had received little positive information.

The spokesman added: "Information is urgently needed regarding this very serious incident.

"This could have had very serious consequences for those travelling on the train and living nearby if the train had derailed."

Police believe more than one person was responsible as the piece of track weighed around a third of a tonne.

Railtrack said the stretch of track is one of the North-west's top 20 hotspots to suffer from vandalism.

Anyone with any information should contact the transport police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.