I like the idea of the station staff just throwing the gates open for
a day - running the service, but refusing to collect fares. Or there's
a Dutch strike, where all the passengers stay at home for a day.

The TSSA union did that a few months ago in Ireland. The problem with that
is that there are differnt unions and some are not in the union. Everyone
would have to talk about it, and if 1 person disagreed then it could not go
ahead because they might refuse to open the Gates.
--
To reply direct, remove NOSPAM and replace with railwaysonline
For Train Information, The Latest News & Best photos around check out the
Award Winning Railways
Online at http://www.railwaysonline.co.uk