Network Rail has warned passengers to expect disruption between Chorley and Bolton on Sunday, with services to Preston also affected while workers replace the cable and retest the system.
Network Rail also warned passengers to take extra care as electrified routes have a deadly 25,000 volts running through them.
“I am very sorry to passengers who will be impacted by the rail closure between Chorley and Bolton on Sunday,” he said.
Passengers have been advised to check the National Rail website or with their train operator to find out what the closure means for their journey.
Engineers discovered that the cable was missing when they arrived to carry out work in Lostock, Bolton, over the Christmas period.
