Furious commuters travelling between Leeds and Skipton were stranded near Shipley station for more than two hours on one of the line's new "supertains".

Keith Renshaw boarded the Skipton train in Leeds at 18.04 yesterday and was due to arrive at Shipley at 18.19.

But the packed train, carrying almost 200 passengers, stopped about half a mile from Shipley station.

Mr Renshaw, of Baildon, said: "We were told that the train had a fault, the conductor told us that there was a problem with the computer system and that we would be towed to the station."

Two-and-a-half hours later they finally managed to get to the station.

"It was absolutely ridiculous. We were not allowed to get off even though we could have walked and ended our ordeal," said Mr Renshaw, 45.

"We could see the station, we were only about a 15-minute walk away from it, it is outrageous that we couldn't get off and walk."

Mr Renshaw said that the lights also kept going out.

"It was a full train, about 150 to 200 passengers and there were no refreshments. It just makes you wonder what the trains are coming to."

Mr Renshaw said it had been a terrible week with cancellations and late trains.

"It's bad enough getting home late after work but you can't just keep arriving late for work either. How many times can you use that excuse?"

A spokesman for Northern Spirit confirmed the 18.04 had broken down near Shipley station.

He said: "We regret that the 18.04 to Leeds to Skipton was delayed into Shipley as a result of operational problems needing expert attention.

"Passengers were unable to get off and walk to the station because of safety issues."

Passengers travelling beyond Shipley were transferred onto another train.

The spokesman added: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of the problem. Unfortunately we have been experiencing teething troubles with the supertrain."

The new trains were unveiled earlier this year amid a blaze of publicity.

Tim Calow, chairman of the Aire Valley Rail Users' Group, said: "We're very disappointed that it took so long to sort out the problem and get the train on the move again.

"The new trains look very nice but we need to get them running reliably and problems like this sorted out properly.

"New trains do break down and this was probably the first time staff have been in this position but two-and-a-half hours is too long and we hope that they'll learn from what happened.''