RAIL enthusiasts could hold the key to finding cable thieves who caused four-hour train delays.

Fifteen trains were stranded on the tracks between Marks Tey and Hatfield Peverel on Thursday after thieves caused large scale damage when they tried to steal overhead cabling.

Hundreds of commuters were stuck in trains while engineers repaired the cable between Halstead Road, in Stanway, and Baker’s Lane, in Lexden.

British Transport Police believe the thieves left empty-handed because they were disturbed.

The Oliver Cromwell steam engine passed along the line, travelling between London Liverpool Street and Norwich, shortly before the damage happened.

PC Gary Ship, from the transport police, said the train’s rare journeys usually attract hundreds of rail enthusiasts all along the route.

He said: “Because of all the interest, a lot of people might have been camped beside the tracks in Stanway and Lexden, or on the bridges.

“We are hoping someone might have spotted someone by the tracks, even if they thought nothing of it at the time.”

Anyone with information is urged to call British Transport Police on 0800 405040, quoting incident number 600 on April 23.