Merseyrail have failed in their attempts to stop planned strikes by staff.
Industrial action will begin against the travel authority with a 24-hour walkout on Monday in protest as its plans to introduce driver-only operated trains (DOO).
Transport union RMT confirmed that Merseyrail’s 220 train guards voted overwhelmingly in favour of striking at the end of last month.
Almost 94% of staff backed the plans while a refusal to work on designated rest days took effect on Tuesday as part of the protest against the £460m overhaul.
But Merseyrail had planned to block the move by seeking an injunction to prevent the action, claiming that the RMT’s dispute instead lies with Merseytravel.
“Merseyrail can confirm that we are seeking an injunction to prevent strike action from taking place on March 13,” read a statement.
“This is in relation to on-board staffing arrangements on the new fleet of trains that Merseytravel will introduce on to the network in 2020.
“Merseyrail argued to the High Court that decisions about the design and operation of the trains under DOO principles were taken by council leaders and councillors in December 2016 and that Merseyrail had no choice but to implement these plans.
“As such, the RMT’s dispute is with Merseytravel and not Merseyrail.”
However a ruling by High Court judges has dismissed the company’s bid to halt the union-led action.