Hundreds of people were stranded and late for work due to the thefts on the Caldervale line, which runs between Leeds and Manchester Victoria.
And despite replacement bus services and diverted train routes being put in place, passengers were forced to endure hefty delays.
Amy Jones, a 23-year-old bank worker from Halifax, said: "It made me very late for work and was a real pain.
"Problems like this are the last thing you need at the end of the holidays. It is rubbish.
"I only needed to get to Bradford and it took ages. I'm very annoyed."
Ben Tench, 47, who was travelling from Halifax to Bradford, said: "This was a real pain.
"These people don't think how much trouble they are causing."
Northern Rail said the raiders cut power cables and stripped copper alongside the tracks
in the Mill Lane area of Bramley, Leeds, yesterday. Replacement buses ran between Halifax and Leeds until midday, while trains were diverted via Elland and forced to miss Bradford Interchange, Bramley and New Pudsey stations late into the afternoon.
Northern Rail spokeswoman Claire Conlin said: "These thieves don't realise the effect this has on passengers.
"We simply can't run services until it is repaired. Cable thefts are a problem we take very seriously."
The Caldervale line was disrupted for much of the day following the incident.
British Transport Police are investigating.