List of railway lines in Great Britain

Last updated

Railway lines in England and Wales, as of 2010 England and Wales rail network 2010.svg
Railway lines in England and Wales, as of 2010

This is a list of railway lines in Great Britain that are currently in operation, split by country and region.

Contents

There are a limited number of main inter-regional lines, with all but one entering Greater London. [1] The line from London to the Channel Tunnel is the only line designated 'high speed', although the other main routes also operate limited-stop express services.

The bulk of the secondary network is concentrated in London and the surrounding East and South East regions; an area marketed by National Rail as London and the South East. The majority of these lines are radial to London. [2] There is a further concentration of routes around Birmingham in the West Midlands [3] and in the urbanised part of northern England that stretches from Liverpool in the west, via Greater Manchester to Leeds in the east. [4]

Some areas, such as Wales and Scotland, have relatively sparse railway provision. [1] There are local lines throughout all areas of Great Britain with some services designated as community railways.

England

London

Most main UK routes terminate in London and there is an extensive suburban network Greater London in England.svg
Most main UK routes terminate in London and there is an extensive suburban network

This is a list of routes entirely contained within Greater London. [5]

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Acton–Northolt line formerly "New North Main Line"1903London
Bromley North Line Grove Park to Bromley North 1878London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Catford Loop Line Brixton to Shortlands 1892London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Chessington branch line Raynes Park to Chessington South 1938–1939London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Chingford branch line Clapton to Chingford 1873London OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crystal Palace line Balham Junction to Beckenham Junction 1856–1858London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Dudding Hill line Acton to Cricklewood1875London
East London line Highbury & Islington to West Croydon 1869–2010London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Holborn Viaduct–Herne Hill line 1863–1866London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Gospel Oak to Barking line 1894–1868London OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Greenford branch line GWML to Greenford 1903London
Greenwich line North Kent East junction to Charlton Junction1836London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Mid-Kent line Lewisham to Hayes 1857–1882London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Hounslow Loop Line Barnes Junction to Feltham Junction1850London Third rail ,  750 V DC
South London line 1886London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Sutton Loop line Streatham South Junction to Sutton 1864-1929London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Kingston loop line Twickenham to New Maldon1863–1869London Third rail ,  750 V DC
North London line Richmond to Stratford 1846–1869London
Northern City Line Moorgate to Finsbury Park 1904London
Greenwich Park branch line Nunhead to Lewisham 1929London Third rail ,  750 V DC
Romford–Upminster line 1893London OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
West London line Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction 1844London

Terminus

NameEnd and major calling pointsCountries and regionsCategory
Chiltern Main Line London, High Wycombe, Bicester, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Solihull, Birmingham England: London, South East, West MidlandsMain Line 100 mph
East Coast Main Line London, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh England: East, East Midlands, London, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber; ScotlandHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
Great Eastern Main Line London, Ipswich, Norwich England: East, LondonMain Line 100 mph
Great Western Main Line London, Bristol England: London, South East, South WestHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
High Speed 1 London, Channel Tunnel England: East, London, South East.

Continental Europe: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany

High Speed Line 186 mph
Midland Main Line London, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield England: East, East Midlands, London, Yorkshire and the HumberHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
South West Main Line London, Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth England: London, South East, South WestMain Line 100 mph
West Coast Main Line London, Glasgow with spurs to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Holyhead and Edinburgh England: London, North West, South East, West Midlands; Scotland; North WalesHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph

South East England

The commuter network stretches from London to the coast and there is a connection to France through the Channel Tunnel South East England in England.svg
The commuter network stretches from London to the coast and there is a connection to France through the Channel Tunnel

This is a list of all routes that enter the South East England region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Alton line Brookwood to Alton 1852South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Arun Valley line Three Bridges to Arundel 1848–1863South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Ascot–Ash Vale line South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Ashford to Ramsgate line 1846South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Aylesbury–Princes Risborough line 1863South East
Bexleyheath line Lewisham to Dartford 1895London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Brighton Main Line 1839–1941London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Caterham line Purley to Caterham 1856London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Chatham Main Line London Victoria to Dover Priory 1858–1926London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Chertsey branch line Staines to Weybridge 1849South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Cherwell Valley line Banbury to Didcot Parkway 1844–1873South East
Chiltern Main Line Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill 1852–1910London, South East, West Midlands
Cotswold Line Oxford to Hereford 1851–1860South East, South West, West Midlands
Dartford Loop Line Hither Green to Dartford 1866London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
East Coastway line Brighton to Hastings 1846–1871South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Eastleigh–Fareham line 1841South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Eastleigh–Romsey line 1847South East
Elizabeth line Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading to Abbey Wood and Shenfield 2022East, London, South East 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Epsom Downs Branch Sutton to Epsom Downs 1865London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Hampton Court branch line SWML to Hampton Court 1849South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Hastings line Tonbridge to Hastings 1845–1852South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Henley branch line Twyford to Henley-on-Thames 1857South East
High Speed 1 London to Channel Tunnel 2003–2007London, South East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Island Line Isle of Wight 1864South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Kent Coast line Minster East Jn to Buckland Jn1847South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
London–Aylesbury line 1868 and 1899London, East Fourth rail, 750 V DC (partial)
Lymington branch line SWML to Lymington Pier 1858South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Maidstone line Swanley to Ashford International 1874–1884South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Marlow branch line Maidenhead to Marlow 1854South East
Marshlink line Ashford International to Hastings 1851South East
Marston Vale line Bletchley to Bedford 1845East, South East
Medway Valley line Strood to SEML1844–1856South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
New Guildford line Surbiton to Guildford 1885South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
North Downs Line Reading to Redhill 1849South East Third rail ,  750 V DC (partial)
North Kent Line London to Strood 1846–1849London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Oxford–Bicester line 1850South East
Oxted line South Croydon to East Grinstead or Uckfield 1858–1888London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC (Croydon–East Grinstead)
Portsmouth Direct line Woking to Portsmouth Harbour 1845–1858South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Portsmouth line 1847–1868South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Reading–Basingstoke line 1848South East
Reading–Taunton line 1847–1906South East, South West
Redhill–Tonbridge line 1884South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Seaford branch line Lewes to Seaford 1864South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Sheerness line Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea 1860South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Shepperton branch line Kingston Loop to Shepperton 1864–1894London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Slough–Windsor & Eton line 1849South East
South Eastern Main Line Cannon Street or Charing Cross to Dover Priory 1842–1871London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Staines–Windsor line 1848–1849South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Sutton and Mole Valley lines 1847–1868London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Tattenham Corner line Purley to Tattenham Corner 1897–1901London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Waterloo–Reading line 1846–1856London, South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
Wessex Main Line Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton Central 1847–1856South East, South West
West Coastway line Brighton to Southampton Central 1840–1889South East Third rail ,  750 V DC
West of England line Basingstoke to Exeter St Davids 1854–1860South East, South West

South West

There is a concentration of routes around Bristol and direct connections to Wales, London and other regions South West England in England.svg
There is a concentration of routes around Bristol and direct connections to Wales, London and other regions

This is a list of all routes that enter the South West England region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Atlantic Coast Line Par to Newquay 1874South West
Avocet Line Exeter to Exmouth 1862South West
Bristol–Exeter line 1841–1842South West
Cornish Main Line Plymouth to Penzance 1867South West
Cotswold Line Oxford to Hereford 1851–1860South East, South West, West Midlands
Dartmoor line Exeter to Okehampton 1851–1871South West
Exeter–Plymouth line 1846–1849South West
Gloucester–Newport line 1850South West
Golden Valley line Swindon to Cheltenham Spa 1845South West
Heart of Wessex Line Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth 1857South West
Looe Valley Line Liskeard to Looe 1860–1901South West
Maritime Line Truro to Falmouth Docks 1863South West
Reading–Taunton line 1847–1906South East, South West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Riviera Line Exeter St Davids to Paignton 1846–1859South West
Severn Beach line Bristol to Severn Beach 1840–1900South West
South Wales Main Line Swindon to Swansea 1850–1903South West, South Wales
St Ives Bay Line St Erth to St Ives 1877South West
Tamar Valley Line Plymouth to Gunnislake 1890–1908South West
Tarka Line Exeter to Barnstaple 1851–1854South West
Wessex Main Line Bristol to Southampton1847–1856South East, South West
West of England line SWML to Exeter1854–1860South East, South West

Terminus

NameEnd and major calling pointsCountries and regionsCategory
Cross Country Route Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, York England: East Midlands, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West MidlandsHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
South Wales Main Line Bristol, Swansea via Cardiff England: South West; Wales: SouthMain Line (100 mph)

North West England

There is a significant concentration of routes around urbanised Liverpool and Manchester with the northern part of the region less well served North West England in England.svg
There is a significant concentration of routes around urbanised Liverpool and Manchester with the northern part of the region less well served

This is a list of all routes that enter the North West England region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Blackpool branch lines WCML to Blackpool North or South 1846–1865North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Borderlands line Wrexham Central to Bidston 1887–1896North West
Buxton line Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton 1863East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Calder Valley line Blackpool North or Manchester Victoria to Leeds North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Chester–Birkenhead line 1840North West Third rail ,  750 V DC
Chester–Warrington line 1850North West
Crewe–Liverpool line North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crewe–Manchester line 1841North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Cumbrian Coast line Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness 1844–1845North West
East Lancashire line Preston to Colne 1846–1848North West
Furness line Barrow-in-Furness to Carnforth 1846–1858North West
Glossop line Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield 1842–1845East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hooton–Helsby line 1863North West
Hope Valley line Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield 1894North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield line Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria to Huddersfield 1849North West, Yorkshire and the HumberPlanned
Kirkby branch line Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate 1848North West
Leeds–Morecambe line 1846–1864North West, Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Liverpool–Manchester lines 1830 onwardsNorth West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Liverpool–Wigan line 1869–1871North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Manchester–Preston line 1838–1841North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Manchester–Southport line North West
Mid-Cheshire line Manchester Piccadilly to Chester 1855–1888North West
Morecambe branch line Lancaster to Morecambe or Heysham Port 1864North West
Ormskirk branch line Preston to Ormskirk 1848North West
Ribble Valley line Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe 1845–1872North West
Settle–Carlisle line 1875North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Stafford–Manchester line 1848North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stockport–Stalybridge line North West
Styal Line Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport or Wilmslow 1909North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Tyne Valley line Newcastle to Carlisle 1834–1837North East, North West
Windermere branch line Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere 1847North WestProposed
Wirral line Chester, West Kirby, Elsemere, and New Brighton to LiverpoolNorth West

West Midlands

There is a concentration of routes around Birmingham and direct connections to London and other regions West Midlands in England.svg
There is a concentration of routes around Birmingham and direct connections to London and other regions

This is a list of all routes that enter the West Midlands region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Birmingham to Peterborough line 1840–1860East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Birmingham to Worcester via Bromsgrove Line 1840–1879West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster line 1852–1867West Midlands
Camp Hill line 1840-1841West Midlands
Chase Line Birmingham New Street to Walsall and Rugeley 1837–1859 (partly closed 1965, reopened 1989–1997)West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Chiltern Main Line Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill 1852–1910London, South East, West Midlands
Cotswold Line Oxford to Hereford 1851–1860South East, South West, West Midlands
Coventry–Leamington line 1851West Midlands
Coventry–Nuneaton line 1850West Midlands
Crewe–Derby line 1848East Midlands, North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Cross-City Line Redditch or Bromsgrove to Lichfield 1837–1876West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Cross Country Route 1948East Midlands, North East, Scotland, South West, Wales, West Anglia, & West Midlands
Leamington–Stratford line 1860West Midlands
Leicester–Burton upon Trent line 1832–1849East Midlands, West Midlands
Northampton loop 1881East Midlands, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
North Warwickshire Line Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon 1908West Midlands
Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line 1837West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Shrewsbury–Chester line 1848North West, West Midlands
Stafford–Manchester line 1848–1887North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stone to Colwich Line 1849West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stourbridge Town branch line 1879West Midlands
Sutton Park line Walsall to Castle Bromwich and Water Orton 1879West Midlands
Trent Valley line part of the West Coast Main Line 1847West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Walsall–Wolverhampton line 1837West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Welsh Marches line Newport to Shrewsbury 1852–1858
  • North West
  • West Midlands
  • Mid Wales
  • South Wales
Wolverhampton–Shrewsbury line 1848–1849West Midlands

East of England

Anglia

A number of local lines branch from the main radial routes and closer to London are the outer terminals of the suburban network East of England in England.svg
A number of local lines branch from the main radial routes and closer to London are the outer terminals of the suburban network

This is a list of all routes that enter the East of England region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Abbey Line Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey 1858East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Birmingham–Peterborough line 1840–1860East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Bittern Line Sheringham to Norwich 1874–1877East
Braintree branch line Witham to Braintree 1848East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Breckland line Cambridge to Norwich 1845East
Cambridge line Cambridge to ECML1851East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crouch Valley line Wickford to Southminster 1889East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
East Suffolk line Ipswich to Lowestoft 1854East
Ely–Peterborough line 1847East
Felixstowe branch line Ipswich to Felixstowe 1877East
Fen line Cambridge to King's Lynn 1846East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Gainsborough line Marks Tey to Sudbury 1865East
Great Northern Route London Moorgate to King's Lynn London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hertford East branch line Hertford East to Broxbourne 1843East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hertford loop line Stevenage to Alexandra Palace 1871–1924London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Ipswich–Ely line 1846–1851East
Lea Valley lines 1840–1891London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
London, Tilbury and Southend line Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness 1854–1888London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Marston Vale line Bletchley to Bedford 1845East, South East
Mayflower line Manningtree to Harwich Town 1854East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Peterborough–Lincoln line 1848–1882East
Shenfield–Southend line 1892East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Sunshine Coast Line Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze 1847–1882East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Watford DC line Euston to Watford Junction 1862–1922London, East Third rail ,  750 V DC
West Anglia Main Line Liverpool Street to Cambridge or Stansted Airport 1840–1990London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Wherry Lines Norwich to Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft 1844–1882East

East Midlands

There are rail links to adjacent regions and direct services to London East Midlands in England.svg
There are rail links to adjacent regions and direct services to London

This is a list of all routes that enter the East Midlands region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Barton line Barton-on-Humber to Cleethorpes 1848East Midlands
Birmingham–Peterborough line 1840–1860East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Buxton line Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton 1863East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Crewe–Derby line 1848East Midlands, North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Derwent Valley line Derby to Matlock 1839–1849East Midlands
Doncaster–Lincoln line 1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Glossop line Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield 1844East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Ivanhoe line part of the Midland Main Line 1840 or 1993East Midlands
Leicester–Burton upon Trent line 1832–1849East Midlands
Northampton loop 1881East Midlands, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Nottingham–Grantham line 1850East Midlands
Nottingham–Lincoln line 1846East Midlands
Oakham–Kettering line 1879East Midlands
Poacher Line Grantham to Skegness 1848–1873East Midlands
Robin Hood Line Nottingham to Worksop 1848 (reopened 1993–1998)East Midlands
Sheffield–Lincoln line 1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Erewash Valley Line 1844–1862East Midlands

North Eastern

North East England in England.svg
Yorkshire and the Humber in England.svg
There is a concentration of commuter services around Newcastle, Sheffield and Leeds with a number of direct routes to London, Scotland and other regions. [7] [4]

This is a list of all routes that enter the Yorkshire and the Humber and North East England region.

NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Durham Coast Line Newcastle to Middlesbrough 1833–1905North East Overhead line ,  1,500 V DC (partial)
Esk Valley line Middlesbrough to Whitby 1835–54North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Tyne Valley line Newcastle to Carlisle 1834–1837North East, North West
Northallerton–Eaglescliffe line 1852North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Tees Valley line Bishop Auckland to Saltburn 1825–1887North East
Airedale line Leeds to Skipton 1846Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Askern branch line Knottingley to Doncaster 1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Calder Valley line Blackpool North or Manchester Victoria to Leeds 1840sNorth West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Dearne Valley line Sheffield to York 1839–40Yorkshire and the Humber
Doncaster–Lincoln line 1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Hallam Line Sheffield to Leeds Yorkshire and the Humber
Harrogate line Leeds to York 1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Hope Valley line Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield 1894North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield line Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria to Huddersfield 1849North West, Yorkshire and the HumberPlanned
Hull to York Line 1840Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds–Morecambe line 1846–50North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds–Bradford lines Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Penistone Line Huddersfield to Sheffield 1845–50Yorkshire and the Humber
Pontefract line Leeds to Goole 1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Selby Line Leeds to Hull 1834Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Settle–Carlisle line 1875North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Sheffield–Lincoln line 1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
South Humberside Main Line Doncaster to Cleethorpes 1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Swinton–Doncaster line South Yorkshire
Wakefield line Leeds to Sheffield Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Wharfedale line Leeds to Bradford Forster Square or Ilkley 1865Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hull–Scarborough line Hull to Scarborough 1845–46Yorkshire and the Humber
York–Scarborough line 1845Yorkshire and the Humber

Scotland

Railway lines in Scotland Rail map scotland.png
Railway lines in Scotland

Scotrail Intercity lines

Glasgow commuter lines

Edinburgh commuter lines

Rural lines and Great Scenic Railways

Wales

Main lines

Cardiff commuter lines

Rural lines

Lines under construction

NameBetweenOpeningRegionsElectrification
East West Rail Bicester Village to Bletchley 2023South East EnglandNot initially
High Speed 2 London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street ~2030South East England 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line

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Railway electrification in Great Britain began in the late 19th century. A range of voltages has been used, employing both overhead lines and conductor rails. The two most common systems are 25 kV AC using overhead lines, and the 750 V DC third rail system used in Southeast England and on Merseyrail. As of October 2023, 6,065 kilometres (3,769 mi) (38%) of the British rail network was electrified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High-speed rail in the United Kingdom</span>

High-speed rail in the United Kingdom is provided on five upgraded railway lines running at top speeds of 125 mph (200 km/h) and one purpose-built high-speed line reaching 186 mph (300 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of rail transport in Great Britain 1995 to date</span> History of British rail transport since 1995

The period from 1995 covers the history of rail transport in Great Britain following the privatisation of British Rail. During this period, passenger volumes have grown rapidly, safety has improved, and subsidies per journey have fallen. However, there is debate as to whether this is due to privatisation or to better government regulation. During this period, High Speed 1, the West Coast Main Line upgrade and Crossrail were completed and more construction projects are currently under way. The period also saw the demise of privately-owned Railtrack and its replacement with government-owned Network Rail.

Urban andsuburban rail plays a key role in public transport in many of the major cities of the United Kingdom. Urban rail refers to the train service between city centres and suburbs or nearby towns that acts as a main mode of transport for travellers on a daily basis. They consist of several railway lines connecting city centre stations of major cities to suburbs and surrounding towns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inter-city rail in the United Kingdom</span>

Great Britain has numerous intercity services traversing the country, however, unlike in other countries, these are not clearly defined. Most of these trains are high speed, and some operate into France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

References

Note: many maps cited are dead links as of 2016. Current maps are on the National Rail Enquiries - Maps of the UK National Rail Network Web site. [8]

  1. 1 2 3 "National Rail Timetable Map" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "London and the South East Rail Services" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Birmingham West Midlands" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies . Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 "Liverpool Leeds Manchester Sheffield" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "London Connections Rail Services" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  6. "Cardiff Bristol" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies . Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  7. "Newcastle" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  8. "National Rail Enquiries - Maps of the UK National Rail Network". Nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2016.

See also