Different types of rail operations in the UK

[kiwirail]

Good Afternoon Everyone.
This is a daft question and I do apologise.
I am new to the UK and am hoping someone could please explain about the differnt types of rail operators?
Many Thanks

 

[telstarbox]

This is a good overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Great_Britain

There are three main groups of operators:
About 20 "National Rail" run mainline passenger services on the Great Britain network.
Some other companies run freight services on the same network.
Then there are light rail operators who largely use separate tracks.

Northern Ireland has a different setup: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NI_Railways

 

[SargeNpton]

Ignoring Northern Ireland and sticking to Great Britain, there are basically three types...

Franchise: which are let by the government relevant to that part of Britain.
Concession: which are let by the local authority for that part of the country. E.g. many of the services in London and Liverpool.
Open Access: where an independent operator bids for paths on a specific route.

Some of the franchises are now back under government control where the company that won the franchise has handed back the keys. The situation will change radically in a few years when the Williams-Shapps review is fully implemented.

 

[kiwirail]

Ignoring Northern Ireland and sticking to Great Britain, there are basically three types...

Franchise: which are let by the government relevant to that part of Britain.
Concession: which are let by the local authority for that part of the country. E.g. many of the services in London and Liverpool.
Open Access: where an independent operator bids for paths on a specific route.

Some of the franchises are now back under government control where the company that won the franchise has handed back the keys. The situation will change radically in a few years when the Williams-Shapps review is fully implemented.

Thank you so much, that clarifies it.

This is a good overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Great_Britain

There are three main groups of operators:
About 20 "National Rail" run mainline passenger services on the Great Britain network.
Some other companies run freight services on the same network.
Then there are light rail operators who largely use separate tracks.

Northern Ireland has a different setup: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NI_Railways

Thank you so much, I will have a read shortly.

 

[DelW]

Bear in mind that the organisation of passenger rail services is in something of a state of flux at present, mainly but not entirely* as a consequence of the covid-related collapse of passenger numbers especially on commuter services. The business model of the previous TOCs (Train Operating Companies) has been wiped out, and it's far from clear just what the network or organisation will look like in a few years time.

(*There had already been concerns over the TOC franchising system, and it was under review even before Covid affected the travel sector so severely.)