A major train route linking Aberdeen with Dundee has closed following the discovery of a “track defect”.
ScotRail confirmed on Tuesday that the line has been closed due to issues with the track near Stonehaven.
Network Rail added that an investigation into the issue is under way.
Network Rail said: “We’re dealing with a report of a track defect near Stonehaven.
“The Aberdeen-Dundee line has been closed while our engineers investigate the report. We’ll share more details ASAP.”
ScotRail said a number of services have been altered to allow the investigation to take place.
Edinburgh to Aberdeen services will stop and resume from Dundee, Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen services will terminate and resume at Perth and Inverurie to Montrose services will terminate and start from Aberdeen.
ScotRail also confirmed five replacement buses will be in operation in Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, Dundee and Montrose.
The closure comes as Storm Debi battered parts of Scotland with heavy rain leading to flooding on major rail lines.
A yellow warning for heavy rain was issued for Stonehaven on Monday just weeks after the area was hit by Storm Babet.
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