Train strike chaos on Friday – which trains are running and other questions answered

Only about 60% of rail traffic will operate on Friday as RMT strikes will cause delays in the departure of trains on Thursday, with further industrial action pending on Saturday

Train services will continue to be suspended on Friday due to the fallout from the second day of this week’s rail strikes.

Here are 10 key questions answered about what passengers should expect.

– How many trains are there on Friday?

Only about 60% of the 20,000 normal weekday services will be able to operate.

– Why aren’t the timetables normalized on Friday if there is no strike?

Strikes by signallers and control room staff, who would normally have worked overnight from Thursday night to Friday morning, mean trains are leaving depots later than normal and delaying the start of services.

– What time do the trains usually leave the depots?

Between about 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

– What time does passenger service usually start?

Between about 5 and 6 p.m.

– How will that change on Friday?

The trains only start to leave the depots when the dispatchers on the day shift start work between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m.

– How long is the start of benefits delayed?

It is expected to take up to four hours in some locations.

– How quickly will the services be ramped up?

In London, supply will increase rapidly as trains do not have to travel long distances from depots to stations. In remote places it takes several hours.

– Will services finally be back to normal on Friday?

Network Rail said that “even during the day service will remain thinner” than usual and some operators will end service a little earlier than normal.

– What about Saturday?

There will be a similar picture on the other strike days on Tuesday and Thursday. About 20% of the services will operate and only half of the lines will be open, only between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

– Is there a possibility that strikes planned for Saturday will be cancelled?

Negotiations are ongoing, but passengers are still being urged to check with rail operators for service updates.