Network Statement
Network Rail has produced a Network Statement to describe the services it provides to customers that wish to operate trains on the main rail network in Great Britain.
The Network Statement provides a single source of all information required by a potential operator wishing to run train services on Network Rail’s network.
This includes conditions of access, infrastructure, capacity allocation, services, charges, the Network Code and rules of the route.
Any party wishing to operate trains on the network must satisfy the relevant legal requirements. These include holding a train operator's licence and a valid Safety Case. (see Health & Safety Executive).
Industry Structure
There are a number of key players in the freight industry in Britain, each with a distinct role.
Network Rail Customer Service
Network Rail routes
Freight operating companies
Office of Rail Regulation
Network Rail Customer Service
Our Customer Service team is responsible for developing Network Rail's freight business. The team manages our relationships with freight operating companies, and all of our freight private siding agreements and connection agreements.
The first point of contact for all freight matters is the Network Rail Senior Route Freight Manager.
Network Rail routes
We have eight routes that are responsible for managing our assets and our customers’ operations. The Senior Route Freight Manager works with and advises the route teams on:
- Freight operations on that route
- Inspecting, maintaining, repairing and renewing freight private sidings and other freight connections in line with the terms of the relevant private siding or connection agreement
- Producing annual maintenance plans for freight connections, where necessary
- Invoicing maintenance and other charges relating to freight connections
Freight operating companies
The freight operating companies are licensed train operators under the Railways Act 1993. They provide train services for moving goods by rail.
- Advenza Freight
- Direct Rail Services
- English Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS)
- Fastline
- FM Rail
- Freightliner
- GB Railfreight
- West Coast Railway Company
The freight operating companies have considerable expertise in developing and offering their customers train services to meet specific needs. They can provide locomotives, wagons (unless the customer has its own), qualified staff and planning services. They can also offer general advice and a more detailed consultancy service for all aspects of rail-based freight development. These can include:
- Property issues (for example, the availability of suitable freight sites)
- Getting connected to Network Rail's network
- Grant applications
- Liaising with Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation to make sure that duties under the Railways Act 1993 and 2005 are fully understood
If you are considering sending goods by rail, you will find it helpful to get in touch with one of the licensed freight operating companies to discuss your needs.
Office of Rail Regulation
The Railways Act 1993 set the framework for privatising British Rail and paved the way for the current industry structure, including the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).
The ORR aims to fulfil the public interest objectives that are set out in the Act. In this context, the ORR has two main functions:
- To license railway operators
- To approve certain contracts, known as access agreements
The implications of the Railways Act 1993 and the more recent Railways Act 2005 are quite complicated. If you anticipate having any practical involvement in the railway, it is advisable to approach the ORR as early as possible.