Leaders of Aslef, the train drivers' union, and the RMT union had met with ScotRail managers at the conciliation service Acas on Tuesday, but no agreement was reached.
Both sides agreed not to disclose details of the talks, but before they went ahead ScotRail had offered an immediate 16.5% pay rise to the drivers, with a further increase over the next two years.
The drivers, who earn around £23,000 a year, say they are the worst paid in Britain and want parity with drivers in England and Wales.
Further talks are due to get under way tomorrow, but they come too late for the estimated 74,000 commuters who use ScotRail each day.
In an attempt to alleviate the problems, bus companies increased their services and ScotRail organised coaches on some routes.
A spokesman for the AA said traffic yesterday was much heavier than usual, and problems had been compounded by yesterday's bad weather.
Cross-border services run by Virgin and GNER were operating yesterday, but the train companies were advising all passengers to check their travel arrangements as there was no onward connections available in Scotland.
Ministers were updated on the dispute at a meeting of the Scottish cabinet in Edinburgh. But the executive maintained its stance of not getting involved. "We are disappointed that the dispute has resulted in strike action by the drivers," said a spokesman. "The losers are the travelling public."
Meanwhile, it was announced that Arriva Trains Northern will be hit by a 24-hour walkout on March 28 and two 48-hour stoppages on April 5 to 6 and May 3 to 4. The RMT also said that its members at Arriva would be balloted for further action, including not collecting fares.
The union has held several days of industrial action in recent weeks that have hit Arriva's train services across northern England.
The RMT's general secretary, Bob Crow, said: "The mood among our members is determined. The company is causing more disruption and damage to the travelling public by its blanket ban on overtime and rest day working, and now it has wound our members up even more by cancelling leave."
