Bosses to keep trains on track

Central Trains is hoping to run some services in the Black Country on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day - despite a return of strike action which caused all services to grind to a halt on Christmas Eve.

Senior conductors downed tools on Sunday in protest at pay arrangements for the three days and the introduction of a new rota system.

They are also refusing to work on December 31 and January 1, having rejected the firm's final offer. But some managers have now volunteered to work.

They have offered to come into work to stand in, and Central Trains says that it hoped to run a skeleton service on its busiest routes.

Rachel Webster, who is a spokeswoman for Central Trains, explained: "Some members of staff have come forward and said they would be willing to work.

"That means with the help of some managers, who were conductors, we will be able to provide some trains during the strike," she said.

"Which ones will depend on need and track knowledge of the people willing to work," she went on to say.

The first day of industrial action saw 400 trains cancelled across Birmingham and the Black Country as 580 people were on strike.

Many rail passengers were forced to change their plans to see loved ones during the festive period.

Mrs Webster said: "We publicised details of the strike through the media and at all stations so we're hoping out customers had enough warning to make alternative arrangements."

People who were travelling between Wolverhampton and Birmingham were able to use the long-distance Virgin services which only stop in the two cities.

Virgin spokesman Allan McLean said that its carriages were unusually busy as a result of the action.

He said: "We were able to cope but were expecting two more days of packed trains now as people use our services to get to the sales."

Bob Crow, who is the RMT union general secretary, apologised for the disruption caused by the action.

He said: "Our members have genuine grievances that need to be addressed."

By Transport Correspondent Daniel Pountney