Strikes will disrupt rail services around England for a second day this week, in the spreading dispute over the future of guards on trains.
Further industrial action by members of the RMT union will take place on four franchises, after a walkout on Tuesday, and will particularly affect services in the north.
Only about 1,200 Northern services will operate on Thursday, less than half of its normal timetable, with trains running between 7am and 7pm. Northern has warned commuters to expect trains and any replacement buses to be extremely busy.
Most Merseyrail services will run in the morning and evening peaks, though the service will stop during the middle of the day and some stations will be closed.
Guards will also strike on Southern and Greater Anglia, though both operators expect to run a near-normal service.
The row over the role and responsibilities of onboard train staff, which has led to strikes over the past 18 months around the railway, has remained bitter and looks set to draw in one of the biggest commuter franchises after conductors on South Western Railway voted for strike action on Tuesday.
RMT accused Southern of “reaching a new low” and attempting to intimidate staff by warning that pensions could be affected and sanctions forthcoming should industrial action continue.
Mick Cash, general secretary, said: “Instead of resorting to the gutter tactics of the playground bully Southern should start acting responsibly and should get round the table with the trade union for serious talks aimed at resolving the longest running industrial dispute in Britain.”
A Southern spokesman said: “We reject the latest claims made by the RMT. Today will be the 36th day of RMT strikes and we, like our passengers and the vast majority of our colleagues, simply want an end to this unnecessary dispute.”
The Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of train operators, condemned the action as “needless and opportunistic”.
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