Essential Energy were conducting routine maintenance operations in Cootamundra and had notified the Australian Rail Track Corporation about a planned power supply interruption at least four business days prior to Sunday.

An ARTC spokesman said the back up generator was faulty causing level crossings to enter into fail safe mode.

A signal electrician was called to fix the system and by 12pm the railway crossings were operational.

“Unfortunately it did take longer than normal to resolve the generator issue and we apologise for the inconvenience to the local community and motorists,” an ARTC spokesperson said.

“Our generators are regularly serviced and remotely monitored, and an extended failure is a rare event.”

The ARTC is having the generator inspected further to avoid this kind of issue in future.

Pinkerton Street resident Michael Van Baast said it was a minor inconvenience for his family who were planning to spend the day in town, however the situation could have been much worse.

“I’m just worried about what would happen if someone on this side of the track needed an ambulance,” Mr Van Baast said.

“They’d be in trouble then.”

Mr Van Baast noticed cars were driving back and forth along the street, as drivers were searching for an alternative route to no avail.

The ARTC spokesman recognised community concern about emergency vehicle access.

“We are in regular contact with emergency service agencies and they have a direct line into our operation centres, so we are able to make arrangements around access in emergency situations,” he said.

“This includes holding or stopping trains.”