More than half of South Western Railway (SWR)'s normal weekday trains are expected run during the December strike action, the rail operators revealed with an updated timetable on Monday (November 25).

Announcing a "summary" of modified timetables for the planned strikes that will fall December 2-27, SWR said that a "reduced" service would run on their network between Monday to Friday from Monday December 2 and Friday, December 20.

SWR said they were still working on summaries of weekend and Christmas services which are expected to be released soon.

In a statement posted on their website, a spokesperson for the rail operators confirmed that trains would still run on "more than half" of weekday trains would run during the strike.

"We expect to run more than half of our normal Monday to Friday services, prioritising capacity during peak periods, with the same level of peak services as in previous strikes.

"Peak services will be much busier than normal and we may have to introduce queuing at a number of our busiest stations.

"Services will finish earlier than normal at around 11pm.

"Off-peak frequencies may be reduced.

"Buses will replace trains on some routes, with ticket acceptance with other operators on others," the SWR spokesperson said.

Talks between SWR and the Rail and Maritime Transport Workers' Union (RMT) designed to head off the strike action broke down last week.

RMT, who are striking over train driver safety and the presence of guards on trains, said SWR were not interested in reaching an agreement with employees.

"No proposals that would enable the development of a resolution to the dispute have been put forward by SWR," said RMT General Secretary Mick Cash after the talks ended without an agreement.

"Throughout these talks SWR have not shown any intention of moving the issues at the heart of the dispute forwards, despite verbal assurances in earlier discussions.

"As a result of the company attitude all planned action remains on, and the union is committed to ensuring the safest possible method of operation," he added.

SWR have said that they would maintain a guard on every train and accused RMT's planned walkout as being "unnecessary".

A full modified timetable and series of responses to frequently asked questions about the strikes is available on the SWR website.

"This strike is the last thing any of us wanted. We will do everything possible to get you where you need to go but ask that you leave more time for your journey and check before you travel for the latest information," the train operators' spokesperson said.