A man was attacked in front of his family on a train after challenging a group of passengers who were singing sectarian songs.
The 46-year-old was attacked by five men on a Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa train after confronting them shortly after 9pm on Saturday night.
It is one of two hate crimes committed that day on trains in Scotland which are being investigated by British Transport Police.
Officers are now working to find three men who got off the train at Stirling in connection with the attack.
One is thought to be around 50 years old, and an accomplice is described as stocky, with short brown hair and wearing a khaki body warmer.
The victim, who had been travelling on the 8.18pm service out of Queen Street, suffered a facial injury and a cut to his head but did not require hospital treatment.
Investigating officer Derek Jackson said: "The victim was subjected to a deplorable attack and I am anxious to find those responsible as a matter of urgency. If you have any information please come forward."
A separate investigation is under way after two men racially abused a man and another couple at 8.20pm on the Glasgow Queen Street to Dunblane service.
Police said the suspects, who also got off the train at Stirling, are aged between 30 and 40, with very short hair and dark clothing.
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