GUARDS and buffet staff rallied at London’s Paddington station last night as they started a 48-hour walkout over staffing on flagship new trains.

Members of rail union RMT are concerned that the new Intercity Express Project trains, due to replace Intercity 125s on services to south-west England and south Wales, will have no provision for guards and travelling chefs.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said operator First Great Western was maintaining that “the configuration of the new super-express trains is out of their control.”

“That position is totally unacceptable and the union is clear that the design of the new fleet of trains is a matter for First Group and that there is still time to modify the rolling stock,” he said.

A First spokesman said that progress had been made in last-minute talks on Wednesday afternoon, but not enough for the strike to be cancelled.
The action will continue until 6.30pm on Friday.