A rail users’ group has urged commuters not to use the Barking to Gospel Oak Overground line during the Tube strike, which starts this evening.

The Overground will run a normal service during the 36-hour London Underground strike, which will continue until Friday morning.

But the Barking - Gospel Oak Rail User Group has pleaded with passengers not to use the line following scenes of chaos at Overground stations during another strike last month.

One resident remembers snaking queues of people all the way down Mansfield Road outside Gospel Oak Overground station during the last strike.

Glenn Wallis, secretary of the user group, said: “The line’s tiny two-carriage diesel trains are packed to the gunnels at the best of times and during the Tube strike passengers will probably have to queue for at least half an hour before getting near a train.”

Unions are unhappy at pay and conditions being offered for the new 24-hour Tube service due to start on September 12.

A spokeswoman from Transport for London (TfL) said: “London Overground services will operate normally, however these are expected to be much busier than usual as a result of customers using alternative routes.”

She added that some stations where there is an interchange with London Underground may be affected.

TfL advises passengers to check lines before they travel online and by following @TfLTravelAlerts, @TfLTrafficNews and @TfLBusAlerts on Twitter.