A report from the Australian Rail Track Corporation issued on Wednesday shows more than 116 kilometres of speed restrictions.

But on the same day the warning was issued, the corporation’s spokesman, Brian Dale, told ABC radio that just seven kilometres was affected.

Yesterday Mr Dale said he had been given the wrong information.

Train drivers say the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s $285 million project that saw almost 300,000 wooden sleepers replaced by concrete sleepers has left a series of mud holes beneath the line.

The result is trains dip, sway and bounce over affected areas with carriages breaking their couplings.

The Victorian Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s Locomotive Division secretary Brian Hill said two freight trains had pulled apart this week because of the state of the track.

In one instance the train travelled four kilometres before the driver realised that wagons had been left behind.

“This is becoming increasingly dangerous for all involved,” Mr Hill said.

“Due to the amount of breakaways, drivers are now reducing train speed to avoid longer shifts as one of the latest incidents resulted in six hours of delays.

“They say it is better to slow down and be late than risk a breakaway and the time to fix that.

“Drivers are worried that they will be targeted for delays and are now asking this office for support should they come under notice by their employers.”

At present only the east track of the two standard-gauge lines between the Border and Melbourne is in use.

The second line will be used when V/Line services resume.

But drivers believe the mudholes will also plague that line and are questioning whether it will be safe for passengers.

Meanwhile, yesterday marked the first passenger train on Wodonga’s $181 million rail bypass.

An early end to track commissioning allowed XPT drivers the opportunity to test the track between Albury and Chiltern.