Who runs our railways?

Fact sheet
Who Runs Our Railways ?
The Current Structure of the Rail Industry
The railways were privatised by the previous Tory administration in the mid 1990's, a single nationalised
industry was split into over 100 different companies. This fact sheet gives a brief summary and contact details
of the key players in the industry.
Train Operating Companies (TOCs)
The passenger trains that run on our railways are operated by 26 Train Operating Companies. These were
awarded franchises of various lengths in the mid 1990s. Some of these have been renewed already and in one
case (Connex South Central) the franchise has been taken away and given to a new company because of poor
performance. The re-franchising process has stalled at present with the recent announcement by Transport
Minister Stephen Byers that he favours short term 2 year extensions to existing franchises rather than
renegotiation, while changes to the re-franchising process are agreed.
Rail Freight Companies
Private freight companies that operate freight services on the Railtrack network. The largest operator is
English Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS).
Railtrack
Responsible for maintaining and upgrading the track and signalling throughout the network. Originally
planned to be retained in the public sector, it was eventually privatised in a quick “sell off” prior to the 1997
General Election. Following the Hatfield accident in September 2000, Railtrack imposed hundreds of speed
restrictions over the rail network which resulted in horrendous delays for several months. As a result of this
and other high profile difficulties the company had severe financial problems and now faces insolvency. The
government has refused to “bail out” the stricken company, which is now in administration, and has put
forward proposals for a replacement “not for profit” company.
The Office Of The Rail Regulator (ORR)
Regulates Railtrack. The ORR sets the rules by which Railtrack operates and penalises it when it doesn’t
perform. Its future is in doubt, as the Government is reviewing rail regulation.
Strategic Rail Authority (SRA)
The SRA is responsible for awarding franchises and also has a remit to develop the network through
channelling investment into new stations, new lines and network improvements. After the collapse of
Railtrack its future is uncertain. A merger with the ORR has been mooted as a possibility.
Department Of Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)
Prior to the election this year, this was part of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
(DETR). The DTLR exercises political control over funding of the railways and also the strategy of the SRA.
The secretary of state responsible is Stephen Byers MP.
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Rail Passenger Council / Committees (RPCs)
These are the rail passenger watchdogs, the council being the national umbrella organisation for the regional
committees. The committees act as the formal forum for passenger representatives to voice their concerns
about services to TOCs, Local Authorities and the SRA.
Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs)
Local authority departments or partnerships between local authorities in metropolitan boroughs. They
subsidise and co-ordinate public transport in their area(s), England has 6 PTEs, these are;- Greater
Manchester (GMPTE) West Yorkshire (WYPTE), South Yorkshire (SYPTE), The West Midlands
(CENTRO), Tyneside (NEXUS), and Merseyside (MERSEYTRAVEL).
Transport For London (TfL)
Part of the Greater London Authority responsible for most transport in London, it has some say over how the
commuter railways are run including input into rail re-franchsing through the Mayor. It has no control over
rail fares.
Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC)
Industry umbrella group which represents the interests of the TOCs.
Contact Details
Railtrack
Railtrack House
Euston Square
London
NW1 2EE
(020) 7557 8000
www.railtrack.co.uk
The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR)
1 Waterhouse Square
138-142 Holborn
London
EC1N 2TQ
(020) 7282 2000
www.rail-reg.gov.uk
Strategic Rail Authority (SRA)
55 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
(020) 7654 6000
www.sra.gov.uk
SW1E 5DU
(020) 7944 3000
www.dtlr.gov.uk
Rail Passenger Council (RPC)
Clements House
14-18 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7NL
(O20) 7505 9090
www.railpassengers.org
Association of Train Operating Companies
(ATOC)
Communications Office
40 Bernard Street
London
WC1N 1BY
(020) 7904 3010
www.atoc.org
Train Operating Companies (TOCs)
Department of Transport, Local
Government and the Regions (DTLR)
Headquarters and Ministerial Offices
Eland House
Bressenden Place
LONDON
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Anglia Railways Train Services Ltd.
Managing Director, Tim Clarke
St Clare House
Princes Street
IPSWICH
IP1 1LY
(01473) 693333 (general enquiries)
www.angliarailways.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 5/1/97, for a 7 year
3 month term..
Arriva Trains Merseyside
Managing Director, Bob Hind
Rail House
Lord Nelson Street
LIVERPOOL
L1 1JF
(0151) 7022454
www.arriva.co.uk
Franchise commencement: February 2000 for
3 years after taking over the franchise from
Merseyrail Electrics
Arriva Trains Northern
Managing Director, Ray Price
Main Headquarters
Station Rise
YORK
YO1 1HT
0870 602 3322 (customer services)
www.arriva.co.uk
Franchise commencement: February 2000 for
3 years after taking over the franchise from
Northern Spirit.
C2C Rail Ltd.
Managing Director, Dominic Booth
Hertford House
1 Cranwood Street
London
EC1V 9QS
Tel 0345 444422 (general enquiries)
www.c2c-online.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 26/5/96 for a
15 year term.
Cardiff Railway Co. Ltd.
Managing Director, Tom Clift
3
1st Floor, Brunel House
2 Fitzalan Road
Cardiff
CF2 1SA
(02920) 449944 (customer relations)
http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/
Franchise commencement: 13/10/96
for a 7 ½ year term
Central Trains Ltd.
Managing Director, Andy Cooper
102 New Street
PO Box 4323
BIRMINGHAM
B2 4JB
(0121) 654 1200 (customer relations)
www.centraltrains.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 2/3/97 for
a 7 year 1 month term.
Chiltern Railways Co. Ltd.
Director, Adrian Shooter
Western House
14 Rickfords Hill
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 2RX
0990 165 165 (general enquiries)
www.chilternrailways.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 21/7/96 for a
7 year term.
Connex South Eastern Ltd.
Managing Director, Oliver Brousse
Friars Bridge Court
41-45 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8PG
(0870) 6030405 (customer services)
www.connex.co.uk
Franchise commencement 13/10/96 for a 15
year term
Gatwick Express Railway Co Ltd.
Hull Trains
Managing Director, Peter Cotton
52 Grosvenor Gardens
LONDON
SW1W 0AU
Tel 0990 301530 (customer services)
www.gatwickexpress.co.uk
Director, Jim Morgan
15-25 Artillery Lane
London
E1 7HA
(01482) 606388
www.hulltrains.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 28/4/96 for a 15
year term.
Franchise commencement 9/00
Island Line Ltd.
Great Eastern Railway Ltd.
Managing Director, Bob Breakwell
35 Artillery Lane
LONDON
E1 7LP
Tel 0645 505000 (Customer Services)
www.ger.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 5/1/97
for a 7 year 3 month term.
General Manager Andrew Maines
Ryde St John's Road Station
St John's Road
Ryde
Isle of Wright
PO33 2BA
(0207) 928 5151 (National Railway
Switchboard)
www.island-line.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 13/10/96
for a 5 year term.
Great North Eastern Railway Ltd.
Managing Director, Christopher Garnett
Main Headquarters
Station Road
YORK
YO1 6HT
Tel 0845 7225333
www.gner.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 28/4/96 for
a 7 year term.
Midland Mainline Ltd.
Managing Director, Alan Wilson
Midland House
Nelson Street
Derby
DE1 2SA
Tel 08457 221 125 (general enquiries)
www.midlandmainline.com
Franchise commencement: 28/4/96 for
a 12 year term.
Great Western Trains Co Ltd.
Managing Director, Mike Carroll
Milford House
1 Milford Street
SWINDON
SN1 1DW
Tel 01793 499 460 (general enquiries)
www.great-western-trains.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 4/2/96
for a 10 year term.
North Western Trains Ltd
Managing Director, Dave Kaye
Bridgewater House
Whitworth Street
MANCHESTER
M1 6LT
(0161) 228 2141 (railway switchboard)
www.firstnorthwestern.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 2/3/97 for a 7 year
1 month term.
4
ScotRail Railways Ltd
Thameslink Rail Ltd.
Managing Director, Alastair McPherson
Caladonian Chambers
87 Union Street
Glasgow
G1 3TA
Tel 0141 335 4612 (customer relations)
www.scotrail.co.uk
Managing Director, Keith Ludeman
Friars Bridge Court
41-45 Blackfriars Road
LONDON
SE1 8NZ
(020) 7620 6333 (customer relations)
www.thameslink.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 31/3/97 for a 7 year
term.
Franchise commencement: 2/3/97 for a 7 year
1 month term.
Silverlink Train Services Ltd
Thames Trains Ltd.
Managing Director, Dominic Booth
Hertford House
1 Cranwood Street
London
EC1V 9QS
(01923) 207 413 (customer relations)
www.silverlink-trains.com
Managing Director, Keith Ludeman
Friars Bridge Court
41 - 45 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8NZ
(0118) 9083678 (customer relations)
www.thamestrains.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 2/3/97 for a 7 ½
year term.
Franchise commencement: 13/10/96
for 7½ year term.
South Central Ltd.
Virgin Trains CrossCountry Trains Ltd.
Managing Director, David Franks
Friars Bridge Court
41-45 Blackfriars Road
LONDON
SE1 8PG
0870 830 6000 (customer services)
www.southcentraltrains.co.uk
See Virgin Trains - Franchise Operator
Franchise commencement: 5/1/97 for a 15
year term.
West Coast Trains Ltd.
See Virgin Trains - Franchise Operator
Franchise commencement: 26/8/01 for a 20
year term
Franchise commencement: 9/3/97 for
a 15 year term
South West Trains Ltd.
Managing Director, Andrew Maines
Friars Bridge Court
41 - 45 Blackfriars Road
LONDON
SE1 8NZ
(0207) 928 5151 (railway switchboard)
www.swtrains.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 4/12/96 for a 7 year
term.
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Virgin Trains Ltd.
Managing Director, Chris Green
West Wing Offices
Euston Station
LONDON
NW1 2HS
- General Complaints Address:
Meridian
85 Smallbrook Queensway
Birmingham
B5 4HA
(0121) 654 9000 (general switchboard)
www.virgintrains.co.uk
Wales & West Passenger Trains Ltd.
Managing Director, Chis Gibb
Brunel House
2 Fitzalan Road
CARDIFF
CF2 1SU
(0870) 9000766 (customer liaison)
www.walesandwest.co.uk
Franchise commencement: 13/10/96 for a 7½
year term.
West Anglia Great Northern Railway Ltd.
Managing Director, Dominic Booth
Hertford House
1 Cranwood Street
London
EC1V 9QS
(08457) 818919 (customer services)
Stansted Express Website
www.stanstedexpress.com
Franchise commencement: 5/1/97 for a 7 year
3 month term.
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