AN ICONIC train was evacuated after smoke was seen billowing from one of the carriages.

The Midland Pullman train had to stop at Chester station where crews from three fire engines were waiting to board.

The incident occurred at about 5.15pm on Saturday (May 13) - when the luxury train was returning to St Albans from Llandudno.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The train was evacuated and checked by the crews using a thermal imaging camera.

"The smoke is believed to have come from the batteries so firefighters isolated them and used a large fan to clear smoke from the area. 

"Two fire crews from Chester worked to cool the batteries and fully ventilate the train."

At about 10pm a fire engine from Crewe also attended the incident to take over cooling the batteries.

The spokesman added: "Firefighters were at this incident for around four hours 20 minutes."

Midland Pullman provides luxury train journeys across the country. It was Britain’s first luxury high speed diesel-electric train, running in the early 1960’s between Manchester Central and London St Pancras.

Midland Pullman tours has been approached for further information.