Unlike most European countries, the railways of Britain do not have a long history of nationalisation. Prior to 1923, numerous private railways operated throughout Great Britain. In 1921, an Act of Parliament ordered the numerous railway companies to merge into four larger companies serving Great Britain, effective January 1, 1923. In 1948 the railways of Great Britain were nationalised, forming British Railways.
London Tilbury & Southend Railway
(served London Fenchurch Street Station)
1923-1948: London Midland & Scottish Railway
Great Eastern Railway
(served London Liverpool Street Station)
1923-1948: London & North Eastern Railway
Great Northern Railway
(served London Kings Cross Station)
1923-1948: London & North Eastern Railway
Midland Railway
(served London St. Pancras Station)
1923-1948: London Midland & Scottish Railway
London & North Western Railway
(served London Euston Station)
1923-1948: London Midland & Scottish Railway
Great Central Railway
(served London Marylebone Station)
1923-1948: London & North Eastern Railway
Great Western Railway
(served London Paddington Station)
1923-1948: Great Western Railway
London & South Western Railway
(served London Waterloo Station)
1923-1948: Southern Railway
London Brighton & South Coast Railway
(served London Victoria Station)
1923-1948: Southern Railway
London Chatham & Dover Railway
(served London Victoria Station)
1923-1948: Southern Railway
South Eastern Railway
(served London Charing Cross Station)
1923-1948: Southern Railway
Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway
(based in Manchester)
1923-1948: London Midland & Scottish Railway
North Eastern Railway
(based in York)
1923-1948: London & North Eastern Railway
Caledonian Railway
(based in Glasgow)
1923-1948: London Midland & Scottish Railway
Glasgow & South Western Railway
(based in Glasgow)
1923-1948: London Midland & Scottish Railway
North British Railway
(based in Edinburgh)
1923-1948: London & North Eastern Railway
Network Rail operates all railroad infrastructure, except for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) extending southeast of London St. Pancras Station to the English Channel Tunnel, which is independently operated.
National Rail
This web site, containing information for the entire railway system in Britain, includes information and links for the current Train Operating Companies (TOC). These companies often change, as franchises to operate the services are not always renewed.