The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef) is striking today, causing severe disruption and closed services up and down the country.
It is expected that the delays will spill over into Sunday.
Services will be significantly reduced across the UK today and tomorrow, so it's essential to check your local line if you have a planned journey.
Travellers are being advised to avoid journeys as normal services will be suspended.
Around 5,500 members of staff are expected to take part in the walkout, taking place during a busier weekend than usual due to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The strikes will also impact the Tube, with the London Overground staff taking part in the industrial action.
There have been plenty of strikes already this summer, with more potentially on the horizon.
Which train lines will be affected by strikes?
Saturday July 30:
- London Overground
- Greater Anglia
- Great Western Railway
- Hull Trains
- LNER
- London Northwestern Railway
- Southeastern
- West Midlands Railway
West Midlands Railway will be especially chaotic due to the Commonwealth Games, meaning many roads in Birmingham's city centre are closed today due to the event.
Why are train staff striking?
The Aslef strike is over a pay dispute and the working conditions the staff deal with.
Earlier this year, unions and Network Rail were in discussion over pay rises, with the workers being offered a 4% raise.
This would have been followed by another 2% next year with a provisional extra 2%, which would have been conditional on hitting “modernisation milestones”.
However, the unions wanted a raise in line with soaring inflation rates, leading to the current strikes now.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: “We want an increase in line with the cost of living – we want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021 – for those members – who were, you will remember, the people who moved key workers and goods around the country during the pandemic.”
Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, added: “We are incredibly disappointed that the RMT and Aslef leadership are continuing with this action, disrupting the summer plans of millions – including those attending the Commonwealth Games.
“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption to passengers, our advice is to only travel if it is necessary, and if you are going to travel, please plan ahead.
“If you’re not able to travel, you can use your ticket either the day before or up to and including August 2, otherwise you will be able to change your ticket or claim a refund.
“We have a responsibility to bring our railway up to date and give our passengers a more punctual and reliable service so that we’re able to give our staff the pay rise they deserve.
“But it is wrong to continue asking taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden when they have already contributed £600 per household during the pandemic, or to expect passengers to fund it by paying more for their tickets, when they too are feeling the pinch.
“We ask the RMT and Aslef’s leadership to continue talking so we can come to a deal that works for our people, our passengers and taxpayers.”
