Railway Authority
You have reached this page because you have searched for The Railway Authority, which refers to the current authority or authorities responsible for running railway services and infrastructure in the UK.
In Great Britain, rail responsibilities are divided across infrastructure, regulation, law enforcement, dispute resolution, and passenger operators. Use this guide to find the direct contact or official service you require.
Rail Emergency & Urgent Safety Assistance
Immediate telephone numbers for danger, bridge strikes, and incidents
If you have reached this site because of a rail emergency, immediately either call 999 for emergency assistance, or notify in case of:
Who Manages the UK Railway System?
There is no single entity named "The Railway Authority". Instead, responsibilities are distributed across specialized statutory bodies, regulators, and licensed operators.
Track & Infrastructure
Network Rail
Owns, repairs, and develops the 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels, signals, level crossings, and 20 major hub stations across Great Britain.
Passenger Services & Tickets
National Rail & Train Operators
Train Operating Companies (TOCs) run passenger trains under contracts. National Rail Enquiries provides journey planning, fares, timetables, and delay alerts.
Regulation & Oversight
Office of Rail and Road (ORR)
The independent economic and safety regulator for Britain's railways. Ensures health and safety compliance, holds Network Rail to account, and protects passenger rights.
Official UK Rail Directory
Direct links to the verified authorities and services for enquiries, safety, and travel
Network Rail
Official portal for track infrastructure, stations, engineering upgrades, and asset management in Great Britain.
Network Rail Contact & Safety
Report issues regarding railway safety, boundary fences, level crossing concerns, lineside vegetation, or general enquiries.
National Rail Enquiries
Official journey planner for Great Britain's rail network, real-time live departure boards, season tickets, and disruption alerts.
Office of Rail and Road (ORR)
Non-ministerial government department protecting passenger rights, railway health and safety, and licensing compliance.
British Transport Police (BTP)
Specialised police force for Britain's railways, stations, and London Underground. Report crimes, suspicious behavior, or antisocial incidents.
The Rail Ombudsman
Independent dispute resolution service for passengers with unresolved complaints against train operating companies.
History & Evolution of the Railway Authority
The Railway Authority in the past has gone through a number of transitions and naming.
Nationalisation & British Railways
The UK railways were nationalised on 1st January 1948 as British Railways, uniting the "Big Four" private railway companies under state control.
British Rail
After 1965 this was referred to as British Rail, introducing the iconic double arrow corporate symbol still in use today.
Privatisation & Railtrack
British Rail was privatised from 1994, splitting into the Infrastructure arm of Railtrack and a number of private sector companies running services.
Network Rail
Railtrack became bankrupt in 2001, and was reconstituted and renamed as Network Rail which is under government control and financing.
Great British Railways Transition
In July 2024 the government committed to setting up Great British Railways to oversee all rail transport in Great Britain, with the intention that all passenger train operators would gradually be brought back into public ownership as their contracts expire.