Trains were stopped between Hereford and Great Malvern after engineers were called to repair a ‘badger’ hole under the line.
The driver of the 7.34am Hereford to Birmingham service spotted the hazard this morning and stopped the train.
A Network Rail spokesman said clay substrate had sunk into an underground hole, which could have been made by a badger or rain water runoff.
Network Rail told the driver to get all passengers off the train and move it slowly over the hole. Once over, the service continued but the line was closed while engineers carried out repairs.
Replacement coach and taxi services were put on to transport London Midland passengers who had been disrupted by the repair work.
