Thank you for joining us on day two of the First Great Western (FGW) train strike.
Keep up-to-date on talks between the unions and FGW on the BBC News website.
Passengers 'grateful' says FGW manager
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
One First Great Western manager, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BBC News: "Generally the response from passengers [during the strike] has been great - they know we're doing our very best to keep them moving in difficult circumstances and they have been very grateful for what we are doing.
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"All the managers and other staff who have turned up to work have been pulling together to do our very best for customers."
RMT thanks public
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
On day two of the 48-hours strike, Mick Cash, RMT general secretary said: "The solidarity, unity and fighting spirit of RMT members the length and breadth of the FGW franchise has been a fantastic example for the whole trade union movement as we face up to attacks on our jobs and conditions and the safe delivery of services to the travelling public.
RMTCopyright: RMT
"Our pickets have reported strong public support for this action as the people who use these routes know only too well what profiteering and cuts mean in terms of their safety and the quality of service. RMT wants to thank the public for that support."
FGW to talk with the union
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
As the strike draws to a close First Great Western operations director Ben Rule paid tribute to his staff who worked during the last 48hrs and said he would talk with the RMT union.
In a statement he said: "I am sorry that customers have been affected by the RMT's strike action over the past couple of days - and will continue to be so tonight.
"My first job next week will be to sit down with the RMT and discuss the issues that led to the strike further - we were very close to an agreement before the strike and I am confident there is a negotiated solution to be found here."
'Stressed out beyond belief'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Elaine Mundt, who is from New York and visited her friend in Helston, Cornwall, said: "I think I'm going to miss my flight back to New Jersey... it costs hundreds of dollars to buy new flights last minute.
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Ms Mundt said it was the first time in almost 40 years she had seen her friend and the return journey had "stressed her out beyond belief".
Ed Sheeran Wembley Stadium concert warning
Wembley parking tweets: We are expecting large numbers of vehicles for #EdatWembley today due to the @FGW strike! Please arrive earlier this evening, many thanks
'Top bants in tough conditions'
Passenger Nathan J tweets: @FGW Stu on the tannoy on 11.55 from CDF to LDN doing the business keeping the customers happy! Top bants in tough conditions! #railstrike
FGW replies: Hi Nathan, that's great to hear and yes difficult conditions indeed. Will pass your comments on to him - Andy
Rail strike - taxi for Clarke?
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Managers at First Great Western are warning spectators leaving the Ashes cricket in Cardiff to expect 'extremely busy' trains at the end of the day's play.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The FGW website says: "There are limited services returning from Cardiff to Bristol Parkway and London Paddington following the cricket (17:55 and 19:25). There will be no direct services to Bristol Temple Meads. These services will be extremely busy so we recommend customers make alternative travel arrangements where possible."
Rail strike: latest headlines
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
We have less than two hours of the RMT strike on First Great Western and these are the latest headlines:
Disruption is set to continue through the night after the 18:30 end of the strike, with routes finishing early
Passengers have been complaining of air conditioning problems, with free water given out on some services
A round of action by members of the TSSA union would 'not have an impact' according to First Great Western
Planned strikes on Southern Rail this weekend have been cancelled after last-minute talks
'Fantastic staff'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Anne Dinsdale, who is travelling from Penzance to Norwich, said her journey to Plymouth had been "absolutely amazing" and the staff had been "fantastic".
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"I'm not looking forward to the next bit. Delays are one thing but train cancellations are another," she said.
Indian summer
Disgruntled passenger Hamesh tweets: This train is so packed that people are sitting on the floor. It's like I'm back in India. Thanks @FGW
FGW replies: Sorry to hear this Hamesh, there are fewer services today due to strike action on the network, so services are busier. Jess
Southern Rail deal made
Press Association
Planned strikes by engineers on Southern Railway due to start this weekend have been suspended after a breakthrough in last-minute talks.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union were due to walk out from 17:00 on Sunday for five days, and not work any overtime this weekend, in a dispute over the working week, rosters and productivity.
General secretary Mick Cash said the company had agreed to a phased reduction in the working week to 37 hours by May 2017. Meanwhile, the RMT said the second day of a strike by its members on First Great Western in a separate dispute over new trains was being "solidly" supported.
Fresh FGW ballot 'impact not expected'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
First Great Western (FGW) says a ballot of a "small minority of managers" by the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association was "not expected to have an impact" on services.
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The union is asking more than 300 managers to vote for action short of a strike. FGW said: "The Office of Rail and Road has seen our approach to running services during the 48-hour strike and trains are being managed by fully qualified and competent staff.
"Many of those volunteers would normally manage our onboard teams on a day-to-day basis, and have anything up to 18 years experience of the role. Dozens more managers have volunteered to help in non-safety critical roles at stations and on trains."
Strike satisfaction
Some passengers have been taking to social media to thank First Great Western for their service during the strike.
Craig tweets: Kudos to the @FGW staff who did come in today, it must be really difficult to bear the brunt of a lot of people's (understandable) anger
Heather Langford tweets: A massive thankyou to all @FGW staff who came to work. My commute has been hell but I would have lost pay if I couldn't get in at all!
Sadie Jill Honer tweets: Trains are so packed due to delays that I'm sat nice and cosy on the floor. Nice carpets though @FGW
'Third class service'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) has called a ballot on industrial action at First Great Western, the union has revealed on its website.
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Manuel Cortes, general secretary, said: "Proposed reductions in on-board staff numbers will have a serious impact on passenger safety. Of course, standard class passengers will also get a third class service as they will no longer have access to a buffet car. Put simply, you can't rely on the trolley service on busy express trains."
The train company First Great Western say it's been able to run some additional trains today, after more staff than expected turned up for work. These are the extra services still to run:
16:10 Weston SM to Bristol TM
18:17 Plymouth to Liskeard
19:48 St Erth to St Ives
20:03 St Ives to St Erth
20:18 St Erth to St Ives
20:33 St Ives to St Erth
20:48 St Erth to St Ives
21:03 St Ives to St Erth
21:23 St Erth to St Ives
21:37 St Ives to St Erth
21:58 St Erth to St Ives
22:31 St Ives to St Erth
Rail strike: festival advice
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Organisers of the Cornbury Music Festival are urging music fans to plan their journeys carefully to avoid problems caused by the FGW rail strike.
Cornbury Music FestivalCopyright: Cornbury Music Festival
Festival organisers have told the BBC: "Regarding transport, we are suggesting people travel to Banbury Station and use the Tappins bus service provided directly to the festival site, or there are some services running to Charlbury."
Rail strike: jokers and ranters
The train strike has had many people reaching for their smart phones to vent their spleen or raise a few laughs on social media.
Controversial columnist and broadcaster Katie Hopkins tweets: many thanks to the brilliant @LondonCityAir and @flybe for proving @FGW are redundant with their poxy unions
Jeremy Pound jokes on Twitter: Splendid, it's a @FGW strike: 'What do we want?' 'Change!' 'When do we want it?' 'Delayed by approximately 35 minutes!'
A confused Robin Morgan tweets: There are no plugs on my train! And it's so busy! And it's on a road! And it's got "Megabus" on the side!
Sophie Banat grumbles: Never travelling with #greatwestern again. Cancelled trains, overcrowding and 6 hours without food or water #stivestolondon @FGW
First Great Western: 'No plans to axe guards'
First Great Western have again rejected one of the main reasons the RMT union say they called the 48hr strike.
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Operations director Ben Rule said: "It is more than a little frustrating that with all the rhetoric flying around there is still some confusion over this key issue. There are categorically no plans for us to axe guards from the new Super Express Trains - in fact, I want more of them."
Rail strike: travelling hopefully
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Peter Bunce from Swindon is braving the rail strike disruption travelling to London to celebrate his birthday with his girlfriend.
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He said when he heard the strike was taking place he was "a bit annoyed as the trains don't run on time at the best of times". As a result he came to the station an hour early and "hoped things would be OK".
First Great Western passenger 'misery'
The Independent
Commuters look set to face more travel misery today as First Great Western train services endure their second day of strikes, reports the Independent.
RMT members walked out yesterday over safety and job loss concerns with the introduction of a new Hitachi Intern City Express trains. The strike came at the same time as that of London Underground workers, creating a perfect maelstrom of travel chaos for millions of commuters.
Today, FGW spokeman James Davies claimed that "over 90 per cent of trains" in the London Thames Valley area were running normally - but conceded that elsewhere service was considerably affected.
Rail strike: latest headlines
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
As the 48hr RMT strike enters its final hours, here are the latest headlines:
Another RMT strike due to begin this weekend on Southern Rail services has been called off
Further action short of a strike is possible for First Great Western after the TSSA union called a ballot
Many stations and trains were less busy than usual on Friday morning
More train delays
Western Daily Press
Thousands of rail travellers face potential delays and disruption again today as the 48-hour strike by RMT union members on First Great Western trains continues, reports the Western Daily Press.
The dispute over jobs and safety concerns has seen high-speed services between London Paddington, the West and Wales halved.
Cricket fans heading out of London to the Ashes Test match in Cardiff are among those affected. A 24-hour strike by the RMT and Transport Salaried Staff union on London Underground which ended last night compounded the misery.
Second union calls for FGW ballot
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association has called a ballot on industrial action at First Great Western, the union has revealed on its website.
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It's asking more than 300 managers to vote for action short of a strike in a ballot which opens on July 15 and closes on July 24.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary, said: "First Great Western senior management think that they can just order our members about at will. They are being instructed to do jobs which they do not feel either qualified or confident to do."
Catherine Bearder: Striking alienates the customer
She says: "These days we need to have a think about how industrial action works - it doesn't really impact on owners or bosses but the customers. If owners lose revenue they put the prices up.
"I believe in sitting around a table negotiating a deal - that's much better than attacking the long-suffering customer."
At the scene: Plymouth Railway Station
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Despite the strike of a reported 2,000 First Great Western employees across the network, the majority of trains leaving and arriving at Plymouth were on time or only slightly delayed.
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Although many services have been cancelled, with the branch lines being the main victims, the car park was reasonably full and station busy with rail users and commuters. Most people were positive ahead of their journeys, although some feared they would miss connections and flights.
Rail strike: carriage congestion
As the Friday afternoon rush hour approaches, it seems many First Great Western trains are quite busy in the sunshine as a strike by RMT members continues.
Alison Burge tweets: Given ppl standing all way from Cardiff suppose shouldn't complain at having to stand btwn Swindon & Reading for 2nd time 2day #fgwstrike
Holly moans: Preparing for a crushing from Reading to London #FGWstrike
Jonathan Eden complains on Twitter: Well done #fgwstrike standing room only on the 13:33 to Plymouth. Very health and safety. Utter shambles.
Snorri Kristjansson reveals: As reservations break down and seat-based hopes are dashed, @fgw's 13:30 to Bristol Temple Meads becomes a shrine to passive aggression. To which Jess at @FGW responds: That's good! No zombie apocalypse on the network today! Jess
Southern trains strike off
The RMT rail union has confirmed that a five-day strike by engineers on Southern Rail due to start this weekend has been suspended after a breakthrough in last minute talks with the company this morning.
The engineers had planned to walk out on Sunday and observe an overtime ban in a dispute over pay and conditions.
In a letter to members, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash, said: "Southern recognises that the hard work and commitment of our engineering staff has contributed towards the efficient operation of the company over the life of the franchise and any pay offer will be fully cognisant of this fact."
She said: "Without it, employees are defenceless in the face of exploitation, which is why being able to withdraw one's labour is essential to civilised society.
"But it's precisely because it's such a powerful weapon that striking shouldn't be abused."
No more time restrictions
Train company First Great Western tweets: Time restrictions on tickets have now been removed until the end of service today. Passengers can now travel at any time with their tickets.
Rail strike: effect on Oxford
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
I've been at Oxford railway station this morning to see what impact the rail strike is having.
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Abdur Razzak says his journey was trouble free. "I'm half an hour later than usual because of the amended timetable, but I told my employer and they were fine with it so it's no problem."
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There has been a dramatic fall in customer numbers in the shops in Oxford Station, according to the manager of the West Cornwall Pasty Co Stephen Tilley, he tells me that it had been very quiet the last two days - usually he would expect to do 50% of the day's business in the morning rush hour, but he says his and the other shops had seen nowhere near that.
More than 11,300 tweets have been received - about four times the normal volume - a team of four has replied to 70% of them.
A FGW spokesman said: "On Twitter we can speak directly to customers so it really comes into its own during disruption in times like this.
"It's been great to hear so many positive comments this week, when we are running more than half of services. Of course we do get some negative ones as well, but we just want to make sure people have all the information possible to get where they have to go to."
Engineers at Southern Railway had planned to walk out on Sunday for five days.
Strike anger
Some people affected by today's First Great Western strike have been letting off steam on Twitter:
Rachel Blundell tweets: @FGW because of your strike my sister can't get home to visit our dad in hospital...I hope you are enjoying your day off
Kerry Mcleod tweets: 1st class not opened up to help deal with extra passengers. £170 pp if we want to upgrade. You cld have made strike much less difficult @fgw
Rail Strike: outside Oxford station
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
It's been eerily quiet in the sunshine at Oxford railway station today. It seems many people heeding the advice from First Great Western and choosing not to travel during the rail strike.
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Canadian Ryan Chen-Wing has allowed an extra hour for his journey into London, so he can make his connection as he travels to New Haven. He said "As I'm on holiday I can spare the time and I don't really know about the politics of the strike, but if I was working then I would be a lot more worried."
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It's not only the businesses inside the station that have seen a drop in customer numbers, outside Kamini Patel from CitySightSeeingOxford told me: "Usually Friday and Saturday are the busiest days here, but it seems very quiet in the station. The whole area is less busy."
Long-distance train services are running at about 50%, say First Great Western managers.
There's a near-full service in the London and Thames Valley area.
Senior officials at the RMT Union say support for the strike is 'rock solid'.
Railway stations around the FGW network are reported to be 'quiet' in the sunshine.
Staff from the FGW Twitter team handle four times the usual number of enquiries, complains and messages.
'Rock solid' picket line support
There has been strong support for the RMT strike action at First Great Western, from both staff and the public, according to the union.
RMTCopyright: RMT
Pickets such as this one in Reading have been in place for the second day.
General secretary Mick Cash said: "The message from FGW staff has rung out loud and clear and it is now down to the company to get back round the table and give us the very basic assurances on jobs, services and safety that RMT has been calling for."
South West Trains problems
BBC Travel
In case you care attempting to avoid First Great Western services in Dorset, they are not the only ones with issues on their routes.
There is a replacement bus service running on South West Trains at the moment between Dorchester South and Weymouth due to emergency engineering works at Upwey.
Your rail strike experiences
It seems the rail network is pretty quiet in the second day of the dispute between the RMT union and First Great Western, but there are some problems.
Bethan tweets: 3 carriages to get to Cardiff. Already absolutely rammed by the 3rd stop. Cosy... #fgwstrike
Martin Gilbraith frets on Twitter: After Scotland and Northern Ireland, for my third busman's holiday in 3 weeks I am travelling today to west Wales in a #railstrike
Zubair Mohammad comments: Ironically the trains are running the same due to strike action. @FGW guess you've got a load of useless people on your books. #railstrike
My6Percent jokes on Twitter: Hearing delay announcements and guessing the number of minutes, reminds me of Play your cards Right. "Higher, higher! Lower!" #fgwstrike
First Great Western says trains from Oxford to Paddington and Worcester to Charlbury will be affected.
Quiet Bristol platforms
David Brown sends us this picture via Twitter, saying: @bbcpointswest @BBCNews a train at temple meads but it is parked! Only 4 trains leaving between 7 and 8 #railstrike
It is likely trains will be affected until Saturday morning. FGW has asked passengers to keep an eye on its website.
FGWCopyright: FGW
Rail Strike: Oxford latest
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
At the moment Oxford Station is a picture of calm. Passengers are making their way through the concourse easily and all the departure boards are showing trains leaving on time, despite the rail strike.
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It may or may not be connected, but the cycle racks outside Oxford Station, which are usually full to overflowing, appear a little less busier today, with spaces available.
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Rail strike: The picture in Swindon
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Despite the rail strike, it felt like "business as usual" at Swindon train station as a moderate crowd of passengers waited on platform 3 for the 10:11 train to London.
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Local Stephen Appleton, who has a visit to a convention in London planned, said he was worried the strike could "mess up his whole day".
And Karen Sevilla from Kemble, who was seeing her daughters off to an Ed Sheeran concert in the capital, described the reasons for the strike as "nonsense" and "not worth all the fuss".
Hope for new talks over rail dispute
Western Morning News
Striking railway workers have urged First Great Western to get back to the negotiating table as the action which has crippled the network enters its second day, reports the Western Morning News.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union said support for the action was "rock solid" with pickets out in force at many stations.
Although the 48-hour stoppage is due to end at 18:30, it is unlikely the service will get back to normal until tomorrow when workers clock back on to their shift.
Rail strike: One happy traveller
Earlier Gary Welch tweeted this photo of Reading station, saying "Quiet station. Seat on train. Train on time. Best day on the trains in years!".
Gary WelchCopyright: Gary Welch
Well, he got in touch later via Twitter to say: journey just improved. I have been told to go and sit in an empty 1st class carriage #lovefgwstrikes
Gary WelchCopyright: Gary Welch
Rail strike: View from Gloucester
David Bailey
BBC News
It's much quieter than usual here at Gloucester station on day two of the rail strike. The woman in the ticket office told me: "There's no-one here. The only customers who are buying tickets are people who didn't know the strike was on. Everybody else has stayed at home."
She adds that there's nothing running on the Stroud line at all, but services are running to Bristol "and you can get pretty much everywhere from there".
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There is no-one manning the ticket barrier, which has been left open so travellers can walk through without using their tickets to operate it - just like the old days. But the trains that are running are all running to time.
Trackside reporters
Once again, the hashtags #railstrike, #strike and #fgw are providing an insight on what's happening across the First Great Western network on the second day of the train strike. Things seem remarkably peaceful:
Karen Crowther tweets: Well on on a train, may only have 2 coaches but I got a seat, huge thanks to everyone who decided not travel today! #railstrike
Steve Daniels agrees on Twitter: Strikes seem to be the way ahead for the trains. Best service I've had in ages, train empty, today's even left early #fgw #funnyoldworld
Mahesh Patel tweets: All quiet in the quiet carriage to Cardiff #Ashes #FGW
Rail firm's side of the story
Michael Stoddard
BBC News, Southampton
It's worth recapping that First Great Western say the new trains, which are at the centre of the row, will actually need more workers not fewer.
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Mark Hopwood said "existing pay and conditions [would be protected]" and there would be "no compulsory redundancies for station and customer service staff".
"There will, however, be an impact on some of our engineering depots when maintenance work on the new trains transfers to the train provider as part of their contract procured by government," he said.
Rail strike: View from the picket line
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
Union leaders have paid tribute to the "fighting spirit" of their activists and workers as industrial action at First Great Western stretches into a second day.
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RMT rep Tony Hall says he has been on the Oxford picket line for 32 hours and has had hundreds of people offer him and fellow strikers their support.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The solidarity, unity and fighting spirit of RMT members the length and breadth of the FGW franchise has been a fantastic example for the whole trade union movement."
Tube back running
Press Association
London Underground services are back to normal after a 24-hour strike closed the entire system, causing travel misery for millions of commuters and holidaymakers.
The walk-out ended last night but no Tubes had run all day, forcing people to take packed buses or boats, switch to bikes or walk.
London Underground bosses have contacted the conciliation service Acas to help arrange fresh talks over the dispute, although any meetings are not expected until next week.
Rail strike: Hope for more trains services
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Managers at First Great Western say they're hopeful they will be able to run more services than timetabled on the second day of industrial action.
BBCCopyright: BBC
A near-full service is running in the London and Thames Valley area and about 50% of long-distance services are running - but local branch lines outside the Thames Valley are generally not able to run. There's more travel advice here.
A FGW spokesman said: "We had more people turn in for work than expected yesterday, which increased the number of people available for us to run trains by around 10%."
Train users take to social media
Commuters and train users have taken to social media to vent their anger or offer praise to both the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and First Great Western.
@Rocketfrancis tweets: @RMTunion was really looking forward to taking my 65 year old Dad to his 1st ever Ashes game 2morro. But cant now thanks to ur #railstrike
Anna Mikis tweets: Horrible #FirstGreatWestern strike. ~50minute Bristol T.M. to Cardiff Central trip is taking me almost 1h45m to do. #notahappycustomer @FGW
@Wendylockel tweets: It does seem like the Thames Valley is largely unaffected by the train strikes! #thankful #FirstGreatWestern
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our pickets have reported strong public support for this action as the people who use these routes know only too well what profiteering and cuts mean in terms of their safety and the quality of service."
In an open letter to passengers, FGW managing director Mark Hopwood said he was "determined to continue talking to the RMT to try and find a way to resolve this matter".
Are you due a refund?
First Great Western (FGW) has given this guidance on refunds for those who are unable to travel, or choose not to, between Thursday and Saturday because of the strike.
Customers who bought tickets from a FGW station or ticket machine, and have them in their possession but were unable to travel, can take them back to their point of purchase
If tickets were not purchased via a FGW outlet please refer back to the original point of purchase
If purchased via telephone or online you will need to post your tickets to FGW along with a refund form
Rail strike: Peaceful platforms
Gary Welch tweets from Reading station: Ahhhh. Empty platforms. Quiet station. Seat on train. Train on time. #FGW can you go on strike next week too? Best day on the trains in years!
Gary WelshCopyright: Gary Welsh
Steve Burnley agrees, tweeting: Hey @FGW Could you arrange a strike every day please? Train is on time and has spare seats #unusual
Train firm busy on Twitter
The First Great Western social media team were hard at work through the night, dealing with complaints and queries.
You can see from the firm's Twitter feed the questions slowed right down in the early hours but picked up again this morning.
Oxford rail delays
Oxford Mail
The rail strike caused delays and disruption for passengers travelling to London from Oxford yesterday, reports the Oxford Mail.
The industrial action began after 11th-hour crisis talks between rail bosses and union RMT broke down on Wednesday.
FGW said a reduced number of trains for rail passengers travelling from Oxford to London Paddington will operate, but with delays and cancellations to be expected over the strike period.
Rail strike: Ashes cricket advice
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Thousands of people are expected to flood into Cardiff today for day three of the Ashes cricket - but are being warned train services at the close of play will be "extremely busy".
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The First Great Western website says: "The 07:15 and 08:15 services from London Paddington to Cardiff will arrive in time for the 11:00am start on Friday.
"There are limited services returning from Cardiff to Bristol Parkway and London Paddington following the cricket (17:55 and 19:25). These services will be extremely busy so we recommend customers make alternative travel arrangements where possible."
Thousands of people are expected for the start of the three-day event, which is headlined by Tom Jones, at The Great Tew Park in Oxfordshire.
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There will be shuttle buses in operation between the festival site and Banbury and Charlbury stations.
Train strike: Cricket fan travels in comfort
Mahesh Patel is travelling to watch the third day of the Ashes cricket in Cardiff in some comfort, it seems.
He tweets: The strike is good for my pork pies - don't think I've ever seen a morning train this quiet ever #Ashes #fgwstrike
Mahesh PatelCopyright: Mahesh Patel
Why are train workers on strike?
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
It's worth reminding ourselves that the 48-hour strike by some First Great Western staff, which ends at 18:30, is over union fears that guards and buffet cars will be axed on the firm's new Hitachi Inter City Express trains.
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The first Hitachi trains will run on the Great Western main line from 2017 and the East Coast main line from 2018.
They are being introduced under the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) on routes between London Paddington and Oxford, Bristol and South Wales.
Comments from last night
It seems many commuters on their way home last night turned to Twitter to post their views.
Suzi Richer tweeted: Hugely appreciating the managers @FGW running the trains between Cardiff and Paddington today - you're doing a fab job! #trainstrike
Alexander Blakey was less content, tweeting: #fgwstrike day 1, evening update. Train air con belting out heat on last carriage of 16:42 Paddington to Reading. How nice @fgw..
Tube back to normal
The London Underground is back to normal after yesterday's Tube strike - Transport for London tweets: A good service is operating on all Tube lines this morning following yesterday's #tubestrike. Thank you for your patience yesterday.
Train strike row escalates
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
The rhetoric between the RMT union and First Great Western was ramped up yesterday when the union said some services running during the strike were "dangerously overcrowded and being operated by inadequately trained managers".
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But the train firm disputed the claims, saying safety was its top priority and a service would not run without the correct number of trained employees.
Tourist destinations hit by rail strike
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
First Great Western (FGW) branchline services to Newquay, Falmouth, Gunnislake, Looe and Weymouth are among those affected by the rail strike.
Rachel WyattCopyright: Rachel Wyatt
FGW posted the following updates on its website last night:
Between Exeter and Exmouth: Every two hours
Between Exeter and Paignton: Every two hours
Between Barnstaple and Exeter: One per peak
Between Liskeard & Looe: Service 'significantly affected'
The capital was plunged into travel chaos, with a marked increase in commuters using Overground, bus and boat services.
Transport for London (TfL) said a "good service" was expected this morning - the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union congratulated members who had participated in the action over pay and night services.
Train firm's 'commitments to staff'
First Great Western tweets: Some have asked what we're doing to resolve the dispute with the RMT. Here are the commitments we've given staff.
Follow strike action travel updates
Find out which services are disrupted today by following First Great Western's Twitter feed or visiting its website.
The firm is expecting to run a similar service to Thursday with London-bound services from Cardiff, Bristol and Swindon expected to run every hour.
But branch lines in Cheltenham, Looe in Cornwall, from Bristol to Weymouth, to Newquay and to Gunnislake are expected to be severely reduced or cancelled.
Live Reporting
Matt Pengelly, Andrew Humphrey and Chris Ellis
All times stated are UK
Get involved
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RMTCopyright: RMT 
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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
- Disruption is set to continue through the night after the 18:30 end of the strike, with routes finishing early
- Passengers have been complaining of air conditioning problems, with free water given out on some services
- A round of action by members of the TSSA union would 'not have an impact' according to First Great Western
- Planned strikes on Southern Rail this weekend have been cancelled after last-minute talks
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BBCCopyright: BBC - Craig tweets: Kudos to the @FGW staff who did come in today, it must be really difficult to bear the brunt of a lot of people's (understandable) anger
- Heather Langford tweets: A massive thankyou to all @FGW staff who came to work. My commute has been hell but I would have lost pay if I couldn't get in at all!
- Sadie Jill Honer tweets: Trains are so packed due to delays that I'm sat nice and cosy on the floor. Nice carpets though @FGW
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- 16:10 Weston SM to Bristol TM
- 18:17 Plymouth to Liskeard
- 19:48 St Erth to St Ives
- 20:03 St Ives to St Erth
- 20:18 St Erth to St Ives
- 20:33 St Ives to St Erth
- 20:48 St Erth to St Ives
- 21:03 St Ives to St Erth
- 21:23 St Erth to St Ives
- 21:37 St Ives to St Erth
- 21:58 St Erth to St Ives
- 22:31 St Ives to St Erth
Cornbury Music FestivalCopyright: Cornbury Music Festival - Controversial columnist and broadcaster Katie Hopkins tweets: many thanks to the brilliant @LondonCityAir and @flybe for proving @FGW are redundant with their poxy unions
- Jeremy Pound jokes on Twitter: Splendid, it's a @FGW strike: 'What do we want?' 'Change!' 'When do we want it?' 'Delayed by approximately 35 minutes!'
- A confused Robin Morgan tweets: There are no plugs on my train! And it's so busy! And it's on a road! And it's got "Megabus" on the side!
- Sophie Banat grumbles: Never travelling with #greatwestern again. Cancelled trains, overcrowding and 6 hours without food or water #stivestolondon @FGW
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- The strike is scheduled to end at 18:30, but disruption could continue with staff instructed not to work overtime until Sunday.
- Another RMT strike due to begin this weekend on Southern Rail services has been called off
- Further action short of a strike is possible for First Great Western after the TSSA union called a ballot
- Many stations and trains were less busy than usual on Friday morning
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BBCCopyright: BBC - Alison Burge tweets: Given ppl standing all way from Cardiff suppose shouldn't complain at having to stand btwn Swindon & Reading for 2nd time 2day #fgwstrike
- Holly moans: Preparing for a crushing from Reading to London #FGWstrike
- Jonathan Eden complains on Twitter: Well done #fgwstrike standing room only on the 13:33 to Plymouth. Very health and safety. Utter shambles.
- Snorri Kristjansson reveals: As reservations break down and seat-based hopes are dashed, @fgw's 13:30 to Bristol Temple Meads becomes a shrine to passive aggression. To which Jess at @FGW responds: That's good! No zombie apocalypse on the network today! Jess
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Michael MuldowneyCopyright: Michael Muldowney 
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- Long-distance train services are running at about 50%, say First Great Western managers.
- There's a near-full service in the London and Thames Valley area.
- Senior officials at the RMT Union say support for the strike is 'rock solid'.
- Railway stations around the FGW network are reported to be 'quiet' in the sunshine.
- Staff from the FGW Twitter team handle four times the usual number of enquiries, complains and messages.
RMTCopyright: RMT 
- Bethan tweets: 3 carriages to get to Cardiff. Already absolutely rammed by the 3rd stop. Cosy... #fgwstrike
- Martin Gilbraith frets on Twitter: After Scotland and Northern Ireland, for my third busman's holiday in 3 weeks I am travelling today to west Wales in a #railstrike
- Zubair Mohammad comments: Ironically the trains are running the same due to strike action. @FGW guess you've got a load of useless people on your books. #railstrike
- My6Percent jokes on Twitter: Hearing delay announcements and guessing the number of minutes, reminds me of Play your cards Right. "Higher, higher! Lower!" #fgwstrike
David BrownCopyright: David Brown 
FGWCopyright: FGW 
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Gary WelchCopyright: Gary Welch 
Gary WelchCopyright: Gary Welch 
BBCCopyright: BBC - Karen Crowther tweets: Well on on a train, may only have 2 coaches but I got a seat, huge thanks to everyone who decided not travel today! #railstrike
- Steve Daniels agrees on Twitter: Strikes seem to be the way ahead for the trains. Best service I've had in ages, train empty, today's even left early #fgw #funnyoldworld
- Mahesh Patel tweets: All quiet in the quiet carriage to Cardiff #Ashes #FGW
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BBCCopyright: BBC - @Rocketfrancis tweets: @RMTunion was really looking forward to taking my 65 year old Dad to his 1st ever Ashes game 2morro. But cant now thanks to ur #railstrike
- Anna Mikis tweets: Horrible #FirstGreatWestern strike. ~50minute Bristol T.M. to Cardiff Central trip is taking me almost 1h45m to do. #notahappycustomer @FGW
- @Wendylockel tweets: It does seem like the Thames Valley is largely unaffected by the train strikes! #thankful #FirstGreatWestern
RMTCopyright: RMT - Customers who bought tickets from a FGW station or ticket machine, and have them in their possession but were unable to travel, can take them back to their point of purchase
- If tickets were not purchased via a FGW outlet please refer back to the original point of purchase
- If purchased via telephone or online you will need to post your tickets to FGW along with a refund form
Gary WelshCopyright: Gary Welsh 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
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Mahesh PatelCopyright: Mahesh Patel 
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Rachel WyattCopyright: Rachel Wyatt - Between Exeter and Exmouth: Every two hours
- Between Exeter and Paignton: Every two hours
- Between Barnstaple and Exeter: One per peak
- Between Liskeard & Looe: Service 'significantly affected'
- Between St Erth and St Ives: Limited service
Kenneth ConwayCopyright: Kenneth Conway 
@fgwCopyright: @fgw
Latest PostGoodbye
Thank you for joining us on day two of the First Great Western (FGW) train strike.
Keep up-to-date on talks between the unions and FGW on the BBC News website.
Passengers 'grateful' says FGW manager
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
One First Great Western manager, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BBC News: "Generally the response from passengers [during the strike] has been great - they know we're doing our very best to keep them moving in difficult circumstances and they have been very grateful for what we are doing.
"All the managers and other staff who have turned up to work have been pulling together to do our very best for customers."
RMT thanks public
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
On day two of the 48-hours strike, Mick Cash, RMT general secretary said: "The solidarity, unity and fighting spirit of RMT members the length and breadth of the FGW franchise has been a fantastic example for the whole trade union movement as we face up to attacks on our jobs and conditions and the safe delivery of services to the travelling public.
"Our pickets have reported strong public support for this action as the people who use these routes know only too well what profiteering and cuts mean in terms of their safety and the quality of service. RMT wants to thank the public for that support."
FGW to talk with the union
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
As the strike draws to a close First Great Western operations director Ben Rule paid tribute to his staff who worked during the last 48hrs and said he would talk with the RMT union.
In a statement he said: "I am sorry that customers have been affected by the RMT's strike action over the past couple of days - and will continue to be so tonight.
"My first job next week will be to sit down with the RMT and discuss the issues that led to the strike further - we were very close to an agreement before the strike and I am confident there is a negotiated solution to be found here."
'Stressed out beyond belief'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Elaine Mundt, who is from New York and visited her friend in Helston, Cornwall, said: "I think I'm going to miss my flight back to New Jersey... it costs hundreds of dollars to buy new flights last minute.
Ms Mundt said it was the first time in almost 40 years she had seen her friend and the return journey had "stressed her out beyond belief".
Ed Sheeran Wembley Stadium concert warning
Wembley parking tweets: We are expecting large numbers of vehicles for #EdatWembley today due to the @FGW strike! Please arrive earlier this evening, many thanks
'Top bants in tough conditions'
Passenger Nathan J tweets: @FGW Stu on the tannoy on 11.55 from CDF to LDN doing the business keeping the customers happy! Top bants in tough conditions! #railstrike
FGW replies: Hi Nathan, that's great to hear and yes difficult conditions indeed. Will pass your comments on to him - Andy
Rail strike - taxi for Clarke?
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Managers at First Great Western are warning spectators leaving the Ashes cricket in Cardiff to expect 'extremely busy' trains at the end of the day's play.
The FGW website says: "There are limited services returning from Cardiff to Bristol Parkway and London Paddington following the cricket (17:55 and 19:25). There will be no direct services to Bristol Temple Meads. These services will be extremely busy so we recommend customers make alternative travel arrangements where possible."
Rail strike: latest headlines
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
We have less than two hours of the RMT strike on First Great Western and these are the latest headlines:
'Fantastic staff'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Anne Dinsdale, who is travelling from Penzance to Norwich, said her journey to Plymouth had been "absolutely amazing" and the staff had been "fantastic".
"I'm not looking forward to the next bit. Delays are one thing but train cancellations are another," she said.
Indian summer
Disgruntled passenger Hamesh tweets: This train is so packed that people are sitting on the floor. It's like I'm back in India. Thanks @FGW
FGW replies: Sorry to hear this Hamesh, there are fewer services today due to strike action on the network, so services are busier. Jess
Southern Rail deal made
Press Association
Planned strikes by engineers on Southern Railway due to start this weekend have been suspended after a breakthrough in last-minute talks.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union were due to walk out from 17:00 on Sunday for five days, and not work any overtime this weekend, in a dispute over the working week, rosters and productivity.
General secretary Mick Cash said the company had agreed to a phased reduction in the working week to 37 hours by May 2017. Meanwhile, the RMT said the second day of a strike by its members on First Great Western in a separate dispute over new trains was being "solidly" supported.
Fresh FGW ballot 'impact not expected'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
First Great Western (FGW) says a ballot of a "small minority of managers" by the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association was "not expected to have an impact" on services.
The union is asking more than 300 managers to vote for action short of a strike. FGW said: "The Office of Rail and Road has seen our approach to running services during the 48-hour strike and trains are being managed by fully qualified and competent staff.
"Many of those volunteers would normally manage our onboard teams on a day-to-day basis, and have anything up to 18 years experience of the role. Dozens more managers have volunteered to help in non-safety critical roles at stations and on trains."
Strike satisfaction
Some passengers have been taking to social media to thank First Great Western for their service during the strike.
'Third class service'
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) has called a ballot on industrial action at First Great Western, the union has revealed on its website.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary, said: "Proposed reductions in on-board staff numbers will have a serious impact on passenger safety. Of course, standard class passengers will also get a third class service as they will no longer have access to a buffet car. Put simply, you can't rely on the trolley service on busy express trains."
The TSSA and National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers fear guards and buffet cars will be disposed of on FGW's new fleet of Hitachi Inter City Express trains.
Rail strike: new trains
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
The train company First Great Western say it's been able to run some additional trains today, after more staff than expected turned up for work. These are the extra services still to run:
Rail strike: festival advice
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Organisers of the Cornbury Music Festival are urging music fans to plan their journeys carefully to avoid problems caused by the FGW rail strike.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to the three day event in Oxfordshire which starts tomorrow.
Festival organisers have told the BBC: "Regarding transport, we are suggesting people travel to Banbury Station and use the Tappins bus service provided directly to the festival site, or there are some services running to Charlbury."
Rail strike: jokers and ranters
The train strike has had many people reaching for their smart phones to vent their spleen or raise a few laughs on social media.
First Great Western: 'No plans to axe guards'
First Great Western have again rejected one of the main reasons the RMT union say they called the 48hr strike.
Operations director Ben Rule said: "It is more than a little frustrating that with all the rhetoric flying around there is still some confusion over this key issue. There are categorically no plans for us to axe guards from the new Super Express Trains - in fact, I want more of them."
Rail strike: travelling hopefully
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Peter Bunce from Swindon is braving the rail strike disruption travelling to London to celebrate his birthday with his girlfriend.
He said when he heard the strike was taking place he was "a bit annoyed as the trains don't run on time at the best of times". As a result he came to the station an hour early and "hoped things would be OK".
First Great Western passenger 'misery'
The Independent
Commuters look set to face more travel misery today as First Great Western train services endure their second day of strikes, reports the Independent.
RMT members walked out yesterday over safety and job loss concerns with the introduction of a new Hitachi Intern City Express trains. The strike came at the same time as that of London Underground workers, creating a perfect maelstrom of travel chaos for millions of commuters.
Today, FGW spokeman James Davies claimed that "over 90 per cent of trains" in the London Thames Valley area were running normally - but conceded that elsewhere service was considerably affected.
Rail strike: latest headlines
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
As the 48hr RMT strike enters its final hours, here are the latest headlines:
More train delays
Western Daily Press
Thousands of rail travellers face potential delays and disruption again today as the 48-hour strike by RMT union members on First Great Western trains continues, reports the Western Daily Press.
The dispute over jobs and safety concerns has seen high-speed services between London Paddington, the West and Wales halved.
Cricket fans heading out of London to the Ashes Test match in Cardiff are among those affected. A 24-hour strike by the RMT and Transport Salaried Staff union on London Underground which ended last night compounded the misery.
Second union calls for FGW ballot
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association has called a ballot on industrial action at First Great Western, the union has revealed on its website.
It's asking more than 300 managers to vote for action short of a strike in a ballot which opens on July 15 and closes on July 24.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary, said: "First Great Western senior management think that they can just order our members about at will. They are being instructed to do jobs which they do not feel either qualified or confident to do."
Catherine Bearder: Striking alienates the customer
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East of England, Catherine Bearder, has called on the RMT union and First Great Western to resolve their dispute through talks rather than strikes.
She says: "These days we need to have a think about how industrial action works - it doesn't really impact on owners or bosses but the customers. If owners lose revenue they put the prices up.
"I believe in sitting around a table negotiating a deal - that's much better than attacking the long-suffering customer."
At the scene: Plymouth Railway Station
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Despite the strike of a reported 2,000 First Great Western employees across the network, the majority of trains leaving and arriving at Plymouth were on time or only slightly delayed.
Although many services have been cancelled, with the branch lines being the main victims, the car park was reasonably full and station busy with rail users and commuters. Most people were positive ahead of their journeys, although some feared they would miss connections and flights.
Rail strike: carriage congestion
As the Friday afternoon rush hour approaches, it seems many First Great Western trains are quite busy in the sunshine as a strike by RMT members continues.
Southern trains strike off
The RMT rail union has confirmed that a five-day strike by engineers on Southern Rail due to start this weekend has been suspended after a breakthrough in last minute talks with the company this morning.
The engineers had planned to walk out on Sunday and observe an overtime ban in a dispute over pay and conditions.
In a letter to members, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash, said: "Southern recognises that the hard work and commitment of our engineering staff has contributed towards the efficient operation of the company over the life of the franchise and any pay offer will be fully cognisant of this fact."
Reserving the right to strike
The Guardian
The Guardian's Gaby Hinsliff has written about the effect of London's tube strike, and also the broader right to withdraw labour.
She said: "Without it, employees are defenceless in the face of exploitation, which is why being able to withdraw one's labour is essential to civilised society.
"But it's precisely because it's such a powerful weapon that striking shouldn't be abused."
No more time restrictions
Train company First Great Western tweets: Time restrictions on tickets have now been removed until the end of service today. Passengers can now travel at any time with their tickets.
Rail strike: effect on Oxford
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
I've been at Oxford railway station this morning to see what impact the rail strike is having.
Abdur Razzak says his journey was trouble free. "I'm half an hour later than usual because of the amended timetable, but I told my employer and they were fine with it so it's no problem."
There has been a dramatic fall in customer numbers in the shops in Oxford Station, according to the manager of the West Cornwall Pasty Co Stephen Tilley, he tells me that it had been very quiet the last two days - usually he would expect to do 50% of the day's business in the morning rush hour, but he says his and the other shops had seen nowhere near that.
Rail strike social media strategy
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Train company First Great Western has revealed its social media team has been handling around 150 Twitter messages an hour during the industrial action.
More than 11,300 tweets have been received - about four times the normal volume - a team of four has replied to 70% of them.
A FGW spokesman said: "On Twitter we can speak directly to customers so it really comes into its own during disruption in times like this.
"It's been great to hear so many positive comments this week, when we are running more than half of services. Of course we do get some negative ones as well, but we just want to make sure people have all the information possible to get where they have to go to."
The bigger picture
The Spectator
The Spectator's editor Fraser Nelson is sick of strikes and has written an article about how the Conservative government could attempt to tame, or in his words "crush the unions".
Rail strike - standing room only
Michael Muldowney tweets this picture of the 11:06 London Paddington to Penzance service, saying: Today's overpacked #FGW service to #Cornwall...
Rail strike 'will not go ahead'
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
In the last few minutes, the RMT rail union has announced planned industrial action on Southern Railways has been suspended
Engineers at Southern Railway had planned to walk out on Sunday for five days.
Strike anger
Some people affected by today's First Great Western strike have been letting off steam on Twitter:
Rachel Blundell tweets: @FGW because of your strike my sister can't get home to visit our dad in hospital...I hope you are enjoying your day off
Kerry Mcleod tweets: 1st class not opened up to help deal with extra passengers. £170 pp if we want to upgrade. You cld have made strike much less difficult @fgw
Rail Strike: outside Oxford station
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
It's been eerily quiet in the sunshine at Oxford railway station today. It seems many people heeding the advice from First Great Western and choosing not to travel during the rail strike.
Canadian Ryan Chen-Wing has allowed an extra hour for his journey into London, so he can make his connection as he travels to New Haven. He said "As I'm on holiday I can spare the time and I don't really know about the politics of the strike, but if I was working then I would be a lot more worried."
It's not only the businesses inside the station that have seen a drop in customer numbers, outside Kamini Patel from CitySightSeeingOxford told me: "Usually Friday and Saturday are the busiest days here, but it seems very quiet in the station. The whole area is less busy."
Rail strike: latest headlines
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
We're well into our live coverage of the second full day of the rail strike - the latest headlines include:
'Rock solid' picket line support
There has been strong support for the RMT strike action at First Great Western, from both staff and the public, according to the union.
Pickets such as this one in Reading have been in place for the second day.
General secretary Mick Cash said: "The message from FGW staff has rung out loud and clear and it is now down to the company to get back round the table and give us the very basic assurances on jobs, services and safety that RMT has been calling for."
South West Trains problems
BBC Travel
In case you care attempting to avoid First Great Western services in Dorset, they are not the only ones with issues on their routes.
There is a replacement bus service running on South West Trains at the moment between Dorchester South and Weymouth due to emergency engineering works at Upwey.
Your rail strike experiences
It seems the rail network is pretty quiet in the second day of the dispute between the RMT union and First Great Western, but there are some problems.
Cornbury Festival train service affected
Oxford Mail
People travelling to the Cornbury Festival today have been warned there will be a limited train service due to the strike.
First Great Western says trains from Oxford to Paddington and Worcester to Charlbury will be affected.
Quiet Bristol platforms
David Brown sends us this picture via Twitter, saying: @bbcpointswest @BBCNews a train at temple meads but it is parked! Only 4 trains leaving between 7 and 8 #railstrike
Rail strike: End in sight
The 18:30 end of the strike by RMT workers may be in sight - but First Great Western has warned it will take some time to get services running normally again.
It is likely trains will be affected until Saturday morning. FGW has asked passengers to keep an eye on its website.
Rail Strike: Oxford latest
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
At the moment Oxford Station is a picture of calm. Passengers are making their way through the concourse easily and all the departure boards are showing trains leaving on time, despite the rail strike.
It may or may not be connected, but the cycle racks outside Oxford Station, which are usually full to overflowing, appear a little less busier today, with spaces available.
Rail strike: The picture in Swindon
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Despite the rail strike, it felt like "business as usual" at Swindon train station as a moderate crowd of passengers waited on platform 3 for the 10:11 train to London.
Local Stephen Appleton, who has a visit to a convention in London planned, said he was worried the strike could "mess up his whole day".
And Karen Sevilla from Kemble, who was seeing her daughters off to an Ed Sheeran concert in the capital, described the reasons for the strike as "nonsense" and "not worth all the fuss".
Hope for new talks over rail dispute
Western Morning News
Striking railway workers have urged First Great Western to get back to the negotiating table as the action which has crippled the network enters its second day, reports the Western Morning News.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union said support for the action was "rock solid" with pickets out in force at many stations.
Although the 48-hour stoppage is due to end at 18:30, it is unlikely the service will get back to normal until tomorrow when workers clock back on to their shift.
Rail strike: One happy traveller
Earlier Gary Welch tweeted this photo of Reading station, saying "Quiet station. Seat on train. Train on time. Best day on the trains in years!".
Well, he got in touch later via Twitter to say: journey just improved. I have been told to go and sit in an empty 1st class carriage #lovefgwstrikes
Rail strike: View from Gloucester
David Bailey
BBC News
It's much quieter than usual here at Gloucester station on day two of the rail strike. The woman in the ticket office told me: "There's no-one here. The only customers who are buying tickets are people who didn't know the strike was on. Everybody else has stayed at home."
She adds that there's nothing running on the Stroud line at all, but services are running to Bristol "and you can get pretty much everywhere from there".
There is no-one manning the ticket barrier, which has been left open so travellers can walk through without using their tickets to operate it - just like the old days. But the trains that are running are all running to time.
Trackside reporters
Once again, the hashtags #railstrike, #strike and #fgw are providing an insight on what's happening across the First Great Western network on the second day of the train strike. Things seem remarkably peaceful:
Rail firm's side of the story
Michael Stoddard
BBC News, Southampton
It's worth recapping that First Great Western say the new trains, which are at the centre of the row, will actually need more workers not fewer.
Mark Hopwood said "existing pay and conditions [would be protected]" and there would be "no compulsory redundancies for station and customer service staff".
"There will, however, be an impact on some of our engineering depots when maintenance work on the new trains transfers to the train provider as part of their contract procured by government," he said.
Rail strike: View from the picket line
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
Union leaders have paid tribute to the "fighting spirit" of their activists and workers as industrial action at First Great Western stretches into a second day.
RMT rep Tony Hall says he has been on the Oxford picket line for 32 hours and has had hundreds of people offer him and fellow strikers their support.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The solidarity, unity and fighting spirit of RMT members the length and breadth of the FGW franchise has been a fantastic example for the whole trade union movement."
Tube back running
Press Association
London Underground services are back to normal after a 24-hour strike closed the entire system, causing travel misery for millions of commuters and holidaymakers.
The walk-out ended last night but no Tubes had run all day, forcing people to take packed buses or boats, switch to bikes or walk.
London Underground bosses have contacted the conciliation service Acas to help arrange fresh talks over the dispute, although any meetings are not expected until next week.
Rail strike: Hope for more trains services
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Managers at First Great Western say they're hopeful they will be able to run more services than timetabled on the second day of industrial action.
A near-full service is running in the London and Thames Valley area and about 50% of long-distance services are running - but local branch lines outside the Thames Valley are generally not able to run. There's more travel advice here.
A FGW spokesman said: "We had more people turn in for work than expected yesterday, which increased the number of people available for us to run trains by around 10%."
Train users take to social media
Commuters and train users have taken to social media to vent their anger or offer praise to both the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and First Great Western.
Rail strike: Paddington picket
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
The RMT has said pickets are out in force again this morning as the dispute between the union and First Great Western enters its second full day.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our pickets have reported strong public support for this action as the people who use these routes know only too well what profiteering and cuts mean in terms of their safety and the quality of service."
In an open letter to passengers, FGW managing director Mark Hopwood said he was "determined to continue talking to the RMT to try and find a way to resolve this matter".
Are you due a refund?
First Great Western (FGW) has given this guidance on refunds for those who are unable to travel, or choose not to, between Thursday and Saturday because of the strike.
Rail strike: Peaceful platforms
Gary Welch tweets from Reading station: Ahhhh. Empty platforms. Quiet station. Seat on train. Train on time. #FGW can you go on strike next week too? Best day on the trains in years!
Steve Burnley agrees, tweeting: Hey @FGW Could you arrange a strike every day please? Train is on time and has spare seats #unusual
Train firm busy on Twitter
The First Great Western social media team were hard at work through the night, dealing with complaints and queries.
You can see from the firm's Twitter feed the questions slowed right down in the early hours but picked up again this morning.
Oxford rail delays
Oxford Mail
The rail strike caused delays and disruption for passengers travelling to London from Oxford yesterday, reports the Oxford Mail.
The industrial action began after 11th-hour crisis talks between rail bosses and union RMT broke down on Wednesday.
FGW said a reduced number of trains for rail passengers travelling from Oxford to London Paddington will operate, but with delays and cancellations to be expected over the strike period.
Rail strike: Ashes cricket advice
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
Thousands of people are expected to flood into Cardiff today for day three of the Ashes cricket - but are being warned train services at the close of play will be "extremely busy".
The First Great Western website says: "The 07:15 and 08:15 services from London Paddington to Cardiff will arrive in time for the 11:00am start on Friday.
"There are limited services returning from Cardiff to Bristol Parkway and London Paddington following the cricket (17:55 and 19:25). These services will be extremely busy so we recommend customers make alternative travel arrangements where possible."
Cornbury Festival travel advice
Matt Pengelly
Local Live
First Great Western is warning people heading to the Cornbury Music Festival to prepare for limited train services.
Thousands of people are expected for the start of the three-day event, which is headlined by Tom Jones, at The Great Tew Park in Oxfordshire.
There will be shuttle buses in operation between the festival site and Banbury and Charlbury stations.
Train strike: Cricket fan travels in comfort
Mahesh Patel is travelling to watch the third day of the Ashes cricket in Cardiff in some comfort, it seems.
He tweets: The strike is good for my pork pies - don't think I've ever seen a morning train this quiet ever #Ashes #fgwstrike
Why are train workers on strike?
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
It's worth reminding ourselves that the 48-hour strike by some First Great Western staff, which ends at 18:30, is over union fears that guards and buffet cars will be axed on the firm's new Hitachi Inter City Express trains.
The first Hitachi trains will run on the Great Western main line from 2017 and the East Coast main line from 2018.
They are being introduced under the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) on routes between London Paddington and Oxford, Bristol and South Wales.
Comments from last night
It seems many commuters on their way home last night turned to Twitter to post their views.
Suzi Richer tweeted: Hugely appreciating the managers @FGW running the trains between Cardiff and Paddington today - you're doing a fab job! #trainstrike
Alexander Blakey was less content, tweeting: #fgwstrike day 1, evening update. Train air con belting out heat on last carriage of 16:42 Paddington to Reading. How nice @fgw..
Tube back to normal
The London Underground is back to normal after yesterday's Tube strike - Transport for London tweets: A good service is operating on all Tube lines this morning following yesterday's #tubestrike. Thank you for your patience yesterday.
Train strike row escalates
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
The rhetoric between the RMT union and First Great Western was ramped up yesterday when the union said some services running during the strike were "dangerously overcrowded and being operated by inadequately trained managers".
But the train firm disputed the claims, saying safety was its top priority and a service would not run without the correct number of trained employees.
Tourist destinations hit by rail strike
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
First Great Western (FGW) branchline services to Newquay, Falmouth, Gunnislake, Looe and Weymouth are among those affected by the rail strike.
FGW posted the following updates on its website last night:
Tube strike comes to an end
BBC London News
There's some good news for commuters today with Tube services resuming following a 24-hour shutdown of the entire London Underground network on Thursday.
The capital was plunged into travel chaos, with a marked increase in commuters using Overground, bus and boat services.
Transport for London (TfL) said a "good service" was expected this morning - the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union congratulated members who had participated in the action over pay and night services.
Train firm's 'commitments to staff'
First Great Western tweets: Some have asked what we're doing to resolve the dispute with the RMT. Here are the commitments we've given staff.
Follow strike action travel updates
Find out which services are disrupted today by following First Great Western's Twitter feed or visiting its website.
Second day of action
It's a second day of strike action for RMT staff working for First Great Western.
The firm is expecting to run a similar service to Thursday with London-bound services from Cardiff, Bristol and Swindon expected to run every hour.
But branch lines in Cheltenham, Looe in Cornwall, from Bristol to Weymouth, to Newquay and to Gunnislake are expected to be severely reduced or cancelled.