The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers' union said services would be severely disrupted throughout the north of England as 300 staff, mostly working in ticket offices, take industrial action.
There will be no services on some routes and much reduced services on others.
The second day of the 48 hour strike tomorrow will coincide with a 24 hour stoppage by 670 conductors.
Their dispute is over a proposed 3% pay increase, which the conductors say is unfair when drivers have been offered an 18% pay rise.
Further strikes are also planned by the conductors on April 5 and 6 and again on May 3 and 4.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, said: "As far as conditions are concerned, this company just cannot get away with giving one grade an 18% pay rise, a £400 Christmas bonus and backdated pension enhancements, while treating everybody else with contempt."
During the last Arriva Trains Northern strike last month, the company managed to run a third of its 1,600 daily services.
Arriva Trains Northern said it would endeavour to operate its normal weekday services today.
The train drivers' union Aslef yesterday called for urgent legislation to cap drivers' working hours, claiming support from 95 MPs.
The union wants a limit of 42 hours in any one week, with a weekly average of 35 hours over a year.
