Thousands of workers have called for higher wages and more security for their jobs in a major strike on the British railways.
This led to significant disruptions across the country on Wednesday.
Only about every fifth train was able to run, and in some areas all connections were lost.
The RMT union accused the state network operator Network Rail and the private railway companies of not being interested in an agreement, but of intensifying their threats of job cuts.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) had called on 40,000 members to walk out.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps rejected the role of mediator and sided with the employers.
On Sky News he condemned the strikes as "militant".
Together with Economics Minister Kwasi Kwarteng, Shapps wants to make it possible for strike-damaged companies to use lower-paid temporary workers in the short term in order to keep strategically important infrastructure running.
The strike is also expected to affect visitors to the Commonwealth Games, which were due to start in Birmingham on Thursday, as well as viewers of Wednesday night's match between Germany and France in the semi-finals of the European Women's Football Championship.
Engine drivers from seven providers want to stop working as early as Saturday.
The RMT has already announced further rail strikes for August 18th and 20th and walkouts on the London Underground on August 19th.