THE main rail workers' union reported solid support last night for another strike which hit services at one of the country's biggest train companies.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union mounted picket lines outside stations yesterday at the start of a 48-hour strike against Arriva Trains Northern, which hit services across Northern England.

Arriva said it was running 55 per cent of its 1,400 services, covering three quarters of its network despite the walkout by hundreds of conductors in a long-running dispute over pay.

Bob Crow, union's general secretary, , said: ''The longer this dispute has gone on, the more vindictive the company has become. It is time they negotiated a civilised conclusion to this dispute.''

Workers have rejected three per cent increase on their basic pay and complained that suggested productivity measures for more money would worsen their employment conditions.

Arriva said the conductors could earn a further five per cent through productivity gains, an offer which it said was ''fair and reasonable''.