Passenger and freight trains crash in north-east Victoria

A V/Line passenger train has crashed into a derailed freight train at Barnawartha in Victoria's north-east near the border of NSW early on Wednesday night.

Twenty passengers and staff on the V/Line train were not injured, but emergency services were called and paramedics were on the scene.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said 19 people were assessed.

The V/Line train crashed about 5.45pm, not long after leaving Albury for Southern Cross Station at 5.20pm.

The crash sparked a grassfire on the Hume Freeway, was burning out of control at the advice level before being deemed safe at 8.15pm.

"People located within Hume Freeway, Barnawartha area of the grass fire are now able to resume normal activities," the VicEmergency update said.

"The train incident is still ongoing and is currently being assessed by the relevant agencies."

Coaches were replacing V/Line services on Wednesday night between Albury and Melbourne.

One northbound lane on the Hume Freeway near Barnawartha was also closed. Southbound traffic was unaffected.