The train was only 600 metres and 12 minutes into a four-day journey to Sydney when the wheels on one of the front carriages carrying several cars slipped off the track about 10:00am.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The train was pushed back to East Perth Station where crews arrived around 3:00pm to begin work to get the train back on track.

Spotlights were set up around 7:00pm as dozens of staff worked into the night.

The carriage was painstakingly raised centimetres off the track with a hydraulic jack as crew assessed the damage.

Passengers who were due to arrive in Kalgoorlie remained on board the train and watched the sun set over Perth.

A Public Transport Authority spokesman said while it was incredibly frustrating, passengers were not likely to be too uncomfortable with restaurants and lounges on board.

He said it was not yet known what caused the derailment, and the situation was expected to be resolved before Monday morning.

Coincidentally, the Midland Line which the train became stuck on was already closed to regular Transperth Trains for scheduled maintenance.