Rail operator V/Line has slammed the behaviour of car thieves who dumped a stolen four-wheel drive in the path of a train in Melbourne’s north yesterday.  The train was travelling from Southern Cross Station to Albury when it crashed into the abandoned car at a speed of 100 km/hr around 6.30pm yesterday.  Carpenter Chris Zammit had issued a $5000 reward for his Nissan to be returned. (9NEWS)  Police said the impact of the crash pushed the Nissan 400m along the tracks.  Emergency services were called to the scene to assist the 170 commuters off the train.  “All I saw was smoke and then the train stopped. We were probably on there for about two-and-a-half hours before we knew what was going on,” passenger Shay Andison told 9NEWS.  Carpenter Chris Zammit, the owner of the stolen ute, only learned it had been found when he heard the news it had been hit by the train.  Mr Zammit earlier posted to Facebook pleading for information the stolen car after it was taken over the weekend.  He had issued a $5000 reward for his Nissan which contained his work tools.  V/Line says it was lucky no one was killed in the stunt.  “This reckless behaviour around rail tracks and level crossings can have dire consequences,” CEO Garry Liddle said.  No one was injured of the 170 passengers on board. (9NEWS)  The 4WD was pushed 400 metres along the tracks. (9NEWS)  The efforts of the train’s driver have been praised by police.  “The V/Line driver's done a great job, there's no injuries or discomfort to any of the passengers,” Sergeant Richard Eldridge said.  Police investigations are ongoing and they are attempting to find two people seen by the train driver exiting the car and fleeing the scene.  Some services between Albury and Southern Cross were replaced by buses this morning but have since returned to normal operation.
A train leaving Melbourne has slammed into a stolen car stopped on the tracks - with all 170 passengers safely evacuated from the V/Line service.