Passenger, freight and track services

 

Passenger, Freight & Track Services

This page provides more information about the companies that serve the length and breadth of the UK rail network.

  • Train operating companies - the companies that operate passenger rail services

  • Owning groups - the companies that fully or jointly own the passenger rail companies

  • Freight operating companies - the companies that transport goods by rail

  • Track and infrastructure company - the companies that manages the rail track and signalling systems

  • Other rail industry links - for related rail supply chain, government and European links

If you work in rail, or want to, have a look at the Ways into rail section.

Note: RDG is not responsible for the content or appearance of any linked site and cannot be held liable for information posted onto any other site.

Train operating companies

  • Avanti West Coast

    Avanti West Coast operates services between Glasgow, North West England, North Wales, the West Midlands and London, and also between Birmingham and Glasgow/Edinburgh. Avanti West Coast route map

    Website: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/

    Company details: First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited 10349442
    Owning group: Partnership of First Group and Trenitalia
    Franchise dates: December 2019 to March 2031

  • c2c

    c2c operates an intensive, mainly commuter, service into London Fenchurch Street from south east Essex. c2c route map

    Website: http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/

    Company details: c2c Rail Limited
    Owning group: Trenitalia
    Franchise dates: September 2014 to November 2029

  • Caledonian Sleeper

    The Caledonian Sleeper Highland route runs to Fort William, Inverness, and Aberdeen. The Caledonian Sleeper Lowland route runs from London Euston to Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley. Caledonian Sleeper route map

    Website: https://www.sleeper.scot/

    Company details: Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited SC477821
    Owning group: Serco
    Franchise dates: April 2015 to March 2030

  • Chiltern Railways

    Chiltern Railways operates passenger train services throughout the M40 corridor between Birmingham and London. Their passengers are a mix of commuters, business and leisure travellers. Chiltern Railways route map

    Website: https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/

    Company details: The Chiltern Railway Company Limited 03007939
    Owning group: Arriva UK Trains (owned by Deutsche Bahn)
    Franchise dates: March 2002 to December 2021

  • CrossCountry

    CrossCountry operates a network of long distance services between Scotland and the North East England through to the South West of England and Bournemouth. Services also operate between Birmingham, Leicester and Stansted Airport, Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham. CrossCountry route map

    Website: https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/

    Company details: XC Trains Limited 04402048
    Owning group: Arriva UK Trains (owned by Deutsche Bahn)
    Franchise dates: November 2007 to October 2020

  • East Midlands Railway

    East Midlands Railway operates train services between London, the East Midlands and Yorkshire (Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Leeds) and central England services groups linking Nottingham, Derby, Worksop, Lincoln, Cleethorpes, Skegness, Leicester and Cambridge. East Midlands Railway route map

    Website: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/

    Company details: Abellio East Midlands Limited 09860485
    Owning group: Abellio
    Franchise dates: August 2019 to August 2027

  • Elizabeth line

    The Elizabeth line (formerly TfL Rail / Crossrail) runs from Reading and Heathrow Airport, through London Paddington and Liverpool Street, to Shenfield. Elizabeth line route map

    Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/

    Owning group: MTR on behalf of TfL
    Franchise dates: June 2015 to May 2023

  • Eurostar

    Eurostar operates high speed international train services between London, Brussels, Paris (centre and Disneyland Paris), the Alps and Rhone Valley. Eurostar route map

    Website: http://www.eurostar.com/

    Owning group: Eurostar International Ltd
    Franchise dates: not applicable

  • Gatwick Express

    Gatwick Express is operated by Southern Railways and runs non-stop between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria every 15 minutes. Gatwick Express route map

    Website: http://www.gatwickexpress.com/

    Company details: Govia Thameslink Railway Limited 07934306
    Owning group: Partnership of Keolis and Go-Ahead Group (Govia)
    Franchise dates: September 2014 to September 2021

  • Grand Central

    Grand Central is an open access operator which provides direct services London Kings Cross to York and the North East, and to Doncaster and West Yorkshire. Grand Central route map

    Website: https://www.grandcentralrail.com/

    Owning group: Arriva UK Trains (owned by Deutsche Bahn)
    Franchise dates: December 2007 to December 2026

  • Greater Anglia

    Greater Anglia operates mainline trains between London, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich, as well as local trains across Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Greater Anglia route map

    Website: https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/

    Company details: Abellio East Anglia Limited 07861414
    Owning group: Partnership of Abellio and Mitsui & Co / East Japan Railway Company
    Franchise dates: October 2016 to October 2025

  • Great Northern

    Great Northern operates train services between London King's Cross and Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn; and services between Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage and Letchworth Garden City. Great Northern route map

    Website: http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/

    Company details: Govia Thameslink Railway Limited 07934306
    Owning group: Partnership of Keolis and Go-Ahead Group (Govia)
    Franchise dates: September 2014 to September 2021

  • Great Western Railway

    Great Western Railway operates high-speed train services between London Paddington, South Wales, the Cotswolds and the West Country. Great Western Railway route map

    Website: https://www.gwr.com/

    Company details: First Greater Western Limited 05113733
    Owning group: FirstGroup
    Franchise dates: April 2006 to March 2020

  • Heathrow Express

    Heathrow Express is operated by Great Western Railway and runs dedicated high speed services between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Express route map

    Website: https://www.heathrowexpress.com/

    Company details: First Greater Western Limited 05113733
    Owning group: FirstGroup
    Franchise dates: not applicable

  • Hull Trains

    Hull Trains is a open access operator and provides a limited number of through trains between London Kings Cross and Hull. Hull Trains route map

    Website: http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/

    Owning group: FirstGroup
    Franchise dates: September 2000 to December 2029

  • London North Eastern Railway

    London North Eastern Railway operates long distance train services along the East Coast Main Line, linking London King's Cross, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, North East England and Scotland. London North Eastern Railway route map

    Website: https://www.lner.co.uk/

    Company details: London North Eastern Railway Limited 04659712
    Owning group: DfT OLR Holdings
    Franchise dates: June 2018 to March 2025

  • London Northwestern Railway

    London Northwestern Railway operates express services between London Euston, Milton Keynes and Birmingham New Street (via Northampton). London Northwestern Railway route map

    Website: https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/

    Company details: West Midlands Trains Limited 09860466
    Owning group: Partnership of Abellio and Mitsui & Co / East Japan Railway Company
    Franchise dates: December 2017 to March 2026

  • London Overground

    London Overground is a group of six routes serving the capital, including Richmond, Clapham Junction, Watford Junction, Gospel Oak, Barking, New Cross, Crystal Palace, West Croydon, Enfield Town, Cheshunt, Chingford and Upminster. London Overground route map

    Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-overground/

    Company details: Arriva Rail London Limited 04165861
    Owning group: Arriva UK Trains (owned by Deutsche Bahn) on behalf of TfL
    Franchise dates: November 2016 to May 2024

  • Merseyrail

    Merseyrail provides services between Liverpool and Southport, Ormskirk, Kirby, Hunts Cross, New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. Merseyrail route map

    Website: http://www.merseyrail.org/

    Company details: Merseyrail Electrics 2002 Limited 04356933
    Owning group: Partnership of Abellio and Serco
    Franchise dates: July 2003 to July 2028

  • Northern

    Northern operates a range of inter-urban, commuter and rural services throughout the North of England. Northern route map

    Website: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/

    Company details: Northern Trains Limited 03076444
    Owning group: DfT OLR Holdings
    Franchise dates: April 2016 to April 2025

  • ScotRail

    ScotRail provides 95% of all passenger rail services within Scotland and has services to Carlisle and Newcastle. ScotRail route map

    Website: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/

    Company details: ScotRail Trains Limited
    Owning group: Scottish Rail Holdings 
    Franchise dates: From April 2022

  • Southeastern

    Southeastern operates all the services in the south east London suburbs, the whole of Kent and part of Sussex, which are primarily commuter services to/from central London. Southeastern route map

    Website: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/

    Company details: London & South Eastern Railway Limited 04860660
    Owning group: DfT OLR Holdings
    Franchise dates: October 2021 to October 2024

  • Southern

    Southern operates predominantly commuter services between London, Surrey and Sussex, as well as services to Gatwick and Brighton, and South Coast services. Southern route map

    Website: http://www.southernrailway.com/

    Company details: Govia Thameslink Railway Limited 07934306
    Owning group: Partnership of Keolis and Go-Ahead Group (Govia)
    Franchise dates: July 2015 to September 2021

  • South Western Railway

    South Western Railway operates trains from London Waterloo to Woking, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, Exeter, Reading, Bournemouth. South Western Railway route map

    Website: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/

    Company details: First MTR South Western Trains Limited
    Owning group: Partnership of FirstGroup and MTR
    Franchise dates: June 2017 to August 2024

  • Stansted Express

    Stansted Express is operated by Greater Anglia and runs every 15 minutes between Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street. Stansted Express route map

    Website: https://www.stanstedexpress.com/

    Company details: Abellio East Anglia Limited 07861414
    Owning group: Partnership of Abellio and Mitsui & Co / East Japan Railway Company
    Franchise dates: October 2016 to October 2025

  • Thameslink

    Thameslink operates train services between Bedford and Brighton; and the Luton, St Albans, Sutton and Wimbledon loop. Thameslink route map

    Website: http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/

    Company details: Govia Thameslink Railway Limited 07934306
    Owning group: Partnership of Keolis and Go-Ahead Group (Govia)
    Franchise dates: September 2014 to September 2021

  • TransPennine Express

    TransPennine Express operates predominantly long distance inter-urban services linking major centres of population across both North East and North West England. TransPennine Express route map

    Website: http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/

    Company details: Transpennine Express Limited 04661194
    Owning group: FirstGroup
    Franchise dates: April 2016 to March 2023

  • Transport for Wales Rail / Trafnidiaeth Cymru Trenau

    Transport for Wales Rail operates a mix of long distance, regional and local rural services in Wales, including the Valley Lines network of services around Cardiff, and also in the English border counties and to Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Transport for Wales Rail route map

    Website: https://tfwrail.wales/

    Company details: Transport for Wales Rail Limited 12619906
    Owning group: Transport for Wales
    Franchise dates: October 2018 to October 2033

  • West Midlands Railway

    West Midlands Railway operates local metro services in the Birmingham and wider west Midlands area. West Midlands Railway route map

    Website: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/

    Company details: West Midlands Trains Limited 09860466
    Owning group: Partnership of Abellio and Mitsui & Co / East Japan Railway Company
    Franchise dates: December 2017 to March 2026

Owning Groups

  • Abellio (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)

    Wholly owned:

    • East Midlands Railway
    • ScotRail

    Part ownership:

    • Greater Anglia
    • London Northwestern Railway
    • Merseyrail
    • Stansted Express (run by Greater Anglia)
    • West Midlands Railway

    Website: https://www.abellio.com/

  • Arriva UK Trains (Deutsche Bahn)

    Wholly owned:

    • Chiltern Railways
    • CrossCountry
    • Grand Central
    • London Overground (Arriva Rail London)

    Website: http://www.arriva.co.uk/countries/uk

  • DfT OLR Holdings

    Wholly owned:

    • London North Eastern Railway
    • Northern

    Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/dft-olr-holdings-limited

  • FirstGroup

    Wholly owned:

    • Great Western Railway
    • Heathrow Express (run by GWR for Heathrow Airport Holdings)
    • Hull Trains
    • TransPennine Express

    Part ownership:

    • Avanti West Coast
    • Island Line Trains (run by South Western Railway)
    • South Western Railway

    Website: http://www.firstgroupplc.com/

  • Go-Ahead Group

    Part ownership:

    • Gatwick Express (GTR) (run by Southern)
    • Great Northern (GTR)
    • Southeastern
    • Southern (GTR)
    • Thameslink (GTR)

    Website: http://www.go-ahead.com/en/index.html

  • Keolis

    Part ownership:

    • Gatwick Express (GTR)
    • Great Northern (GTR)
    • Southeastern
    • Southern (GTR)
    • Thameslink (GTR)

    Website: http://www.keolis.co.uk/

  • Mitsui & Co / East Japan Railway Company partnership

    Part ownership:

    • Greater Anglia
    • London Northwestern Railway
    • Stansted Express
    • West Midlands Railway

    Websites: Mitsui & Co / East Japan Railway Company

  • MTR Corporation

    Wholly owned:

    • TfL Rail

    Part ownership:

    • Island Line Trains (run by South Western Railway)
    • South Western Railway

    Website: http://www.mtreurope.com/

  • Serco

    Wholly owned:

    • Caledonian Sleeper

    Part ownership:

    • Merseyrail

    Website: https://www.serco.com/

  • Transport for Wales

    Wholly owned:

    • Transport for Wales Rail

    Website: https://trc.cymru/

  • Trenitalia

    Wholly owned:

    • c2c

    Part ownership:

    • Avanti West Coast

    Website: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

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