A Southern Highlands tourist, who wished not to be named, said she was supposed to catch the 2.20pm train from Bowral to Central station on October 18.

However, when the train arrived at Bowral all four carriages were filled to capacity and passengers were told they could not board.

Station staff told the tourist that back up buses would soon appear to take the passengers left behind at Bowral.

However, when the bus finally did turn up it too was full and was sent on its way, leaving the tourist and a large group of passengers stranded at Bowral station.

Five hours after she was supposed to board the train at Bowral, the tourist said she arrived at Central railway station.

Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton said she was appalled with this latest story, saying she could not believe the back up buses for local train services were equally incapable of fulfilling their purpose.

"Every week I'm getting letters and being stopped in the street by people about the state of our rail system here in the Southern Highlands," she said.

"Local stories simply go from bad to worse, and the Transport Minister continues to fail to take any action to assist.

"If rail travel numbers are falling its because we can't rely on the trains - they're late, over crowded or simply cancelled."