Engineers are having to build an entirely new road so they can get heavy machinery to clear the site of a freight train derailment.
Network Rail says it is involved in a complicated operation to sort the aftermath of the incident, on Thursday, which is likely to take days and disrupt the travel plans of thousands of passengers into the New Year.
Engineers are using heavy plant and lifting equipment to clear the track between Loughborough and Barrow upon Soar to remove seven derailed wagons that were carrying a cargo of stone.
The accident happened at 5.30am on Thursday and investigators say it is possible a landslip caused by days of rain may have caused it.
Yesterday, a Network Rail spokesman said: "This is a complicated recovery operation, but every effort will be made to limit disruption to passengers.
"Our engineers will have to construct a road to the site, stabilise the embankment, remove seven derailed wagons and repair more than 300 yards of track."
East Midlands Trains said it would be running an amended service until the wreckage and debris were removed and the damaged tracks repaired.
Passengers are advised to make their journey earlier in the day if possible or travel via an alternative train operator.
The revised timetable will affect evening services from today , tomorrow and Monday.
Some early-morning departures will also be affected on those days and January 1 as engineers require track access to carry out repair works
A spokesperson for East Midlands Trains said: "We would like to apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience this will cause. However, it is vitally important that Network Rail has full access to the line so it can move the freight train and repair the damage.
"Due to the location of the derailment and work required, it is going to have a significant knock-on effect on our evening and early-morning services to and from London. We will be working hard to continue running as many services as possible while allowing Network Rail to carry out this work.
"However, we would advise passengers to check before they travel and either travel earlier in the day if they can, or use an alternative train operator wherever possible."
The major changes to time-tables over the next three days are:
A very limited train service in place after 6pm between London and Leicester;
No trains will be able to run north of Leicester after 8pm;
The last direct northbound services departing from London St Pancras will be the 6.25pm to Derby/Sheffield and the 6.30pm to Nottingham;
All other services will terminate at Leicester and a limited replacement bus service will be available;
In the southbound direction, there will be a reduced service after 4.30pm on each day;
Journey times will be extended and services are subject to cancellation;
Passengers holding an advance ticket on an early-morning service can use their ticket to travel later in the day. East Midlands Trains tickets will also be accepted on Virgin, East Coast, Cross Country and London Midland services.
Trains are still unable to call at Barrow upon Soar as a result of the incident and a replacement bus service is in place between Barrow and Loughborough to connect with train services.
www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
