HELENSBURGH travellers will still be able to access trains tomorrow - but not many.

ScotRail have warned services will be severely limited because of the latest strike action by the RMT union against Network Rail.

The rail operator's staff are not involved but trains have been cut back to a minimum because Network Rail workers run the infrastructure, including signalling systems and maintaining the track.

RMT members working for Network Rail will strike on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

They are to vote on a new pay offer but even if strike action is called off, the company saysit would take 48 hours after December 12 to get the trains back to "normal service".

ScotRail said they would have limited services and routes on the days of strike action. Service will also be hit on Thursday - the only non-strike day this week.

The lines operating on December 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 will be:

  • Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High: two trains per hour   
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Helensburgh Central: two trains per hour  
  • Glasgow Central – Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour   
  • Glasgow Central – Lanark: two trains per hour   
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Central via Shotts: one train per hour 
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Cowdenbeath: two trains per hour 
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Tweedbank: two trains per hour 
  • Edinburgh Waverley – North Berwick: one train per hour 
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Larbert: one train per hour
  • Glasgow Queen Street – Larbert: one train per hour 
  • Glasgow Queen Street – Falkirk Grahamston: one train per hour 
  • Milngavie – Springburn: two trains per hour

The first train from Helensburgh Central each day will leave at 7.30am; the last trains will leave at 4.55pm (to Airdrie via Glasgow Queen Street), 5.25pm and 5.55pm (both to Dalmuir). 

The first trains to Helensburgh Central will arrive in town at 8.15am (from Yoker) and 8.50am (from Airdrie via Glasgow), with the last arrival in Helensburgh being at 6.21pm (leaving Glasgow Queen Street at 5.29pm).

If the strikes go ahead in full there will be no trains at all for the next five days on the West Highland line via Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead and Arrochar & Tarbet.

Further information is available from scotrail.co.uk.

The RMT has also announced strike plans for December 24-27, January 3-4 and January 6-7 to further push for a better deal.

Union members are currently voting on a new offer from NEtwork Rail, which closes on December 12.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said it was "unfortunate" they had to take action.

He said: “We remain available for talks in order to resolve these issues but we will not bow to pressure from the employers and the government to the detriment of our members."

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said:  “It’s disappointing to see that planned strike action will go ahead.

"This means more widespread disruption across the whole Great Britain rail network at a time when we need to be encouraging more people back to the railway.

“For ScotRail, it’s going to mean that we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services tomorrow (Tuesday, 13 December) through to, and including, Saturday (17 December).

“We know will be really frustrating for our customers, but we’re advising those planning to travel to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to on the days of strike action.

“Customers should check their journey in advance to make sure your train is running.”