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All railway transport services are still severely disrupted on Saturday despite the suspension of a series of planned strikes by railway workers.
The RMT union was due to run three 24-hour train departures on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, meaning the national network, which includes trains in and out of London, suffered major disruption.
However, a spokesman said strikes planned on the London Underground for Thursday had yet to go ahead as it was a separate dispute. This will leave the Tube with limited or no services, according to TfL.
Rail chiefs have said that because of the short notice, there would be “extremely limited” rail service on Saturday and the disruption would continue until Monday. Network Rail advised passengers to only travel on these days if “absolutely necessary”.
Special strike times will largely remain in place for Monday, but operators expect services to return to normal after that.
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The RMT said it had secured “unconditional” talks with Network Rail and the promise of a payment offer from the train operating companies.
The union said the dispute remains “very much alive” and is continuing with a further vote by members to secure a new mandate for action with the result on November 15.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The threat of strike action and our heavily supported industrial campaign has made rail employers see sense.
“We have always wanted to reach a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks.
“Our priority is our members, and we are working to reach an agreement on job security, a decent wage increase and good working conditions.
“Our new ballot remains active and if we have to strike for the next 6 months to get a deal, we will.”
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: “It is welcome news that the RMT has called off its strikes, but the very late notice means that services for tomorrow will not be able to be restored and will remain extremely limited , and although we and our train company partners. , will operate non-stop over the weekend, there will be limited ability to change the “strike schedule” to Monday.
“Our advice remains that please check before you travel and on Saturday and Monday and only travel by train if absolutely necessary.
“We hope to return to the table with all of our unions early next week to see if we can build on the progress made this week and find a resolution.”
Another transport union, the TSSA, had already suspended November action at Network Rail so discussions could continue, and on Friday called off rail strikes planned for November 5, 7, 8 and 9 at various companies.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “This is a positive development for passengers across the country, but the very late warning unfortunately means there will still be significant disruption to the network tomorrow and Monday.
“We encourage unions and employers to continue their negotiations and the suspension of these strikes has given these talks a better chance of success.
“It is vital, for passengers and workers alike, that all parties continue to work together and deliver a modern railway that we can all be proud of.”
The announcement came after calls from London businesses for unions to end their dispute with the rail industry and TfL “once and for all” in the wake of huge losses caused by damaging strikes.
The summer disruption led to an estimated £52m loss for businesses in the capital, which earlier on Friday warned of a “devastating ripple effect” on London’s economy.
As Thursday’s strike on the London Underground is still set to continue, TfL is advising travelers to avoid attempting to travel on the Tube that day.
London Overground services, while not directly affected, may also be subject to last-minute changes, including non-stops at some stations shared with London Underground, TfL said. Services can also be very busy.
Among those to be affected across the country by strikes that have only been called off at the last minute are thousands of rugby fans who will travel to Cardiff on Saturday for the Wales v New Zealand autumn international , Network Rail Wales said.
There will be fewer trains before the game and none leaving Cardiff after it has finished.