Useful documents for passenger and freight train operators
We operate, maintain and improve Britain’s railway infrastructure, placing rail users and train operators at the heart of what we do.
Here you’ll find the key documents to guide you through how we do business with our customers, which include both existing and potential operators of train services. Approaches are welcomed equally from:
potential new operators applying for open access
existing holders of track access rights, in relation to new passenger access contracts or amendment of existing track access contracts
prospective franchisees in relation to franchise replacement and franchise extension.
We support the Department for Transport (DfT) in clarifying the outputs required of passenger train franchises, collaborating in planning and providing information for developing and evaluating bids and associated contracts. If a potential operator identifies a new market for train services not currently served by a franchise, they can apply to us for open access rights to run those trains.
Our Network Statement provides all current and potential train operators wishing to operate train services on our infrastructure with a single source of relevant information on a fair and non-discriminatory basis.
The Network Code is a set of contractual rules incorporated into each track access agreement between Network Rail and all train operators. It covers those areas where all parties are obliged to work together to the same standards and timescales. This includes such areas as:
Any new operators on the network will also need to sign up to the Network Code.
All passenger and freight train operators (FOC) who want to use to our network require a track access contract. Our customer teams dealing with each train operator lead the contractual negotiations and the sale of access rights with train operators on the contracts.
This section contains documents and links in relation to the management of congested infrastructure, inclusive of the Code of Practice (PDF) which sets out the principles and procedures that we follow in identifying and managing congested infrastructure pursuant to The Railways (Access Management and Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2016. We have also included a register of declared congested infrastructure as referenced within the Network Statement.
To encourage third-party investment in the network, we have a suite of template agreements for enhancement projects that have been developed and revised following extensive consultation with industry, customers and stakeholders.
The current access charges for 2019-2024 (Control Period 6, CP6) apply until 31 March 2024. Price lists are consistent with the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) Final Determination and are referenced in track and station access contracts.
This page contains our publications related to access charges, including responses and conclusions for relevant consultations for PR18. It also includes our responses to Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) PR18 publications.
This page contains our publications related to access charges, including responses and conclusions for relevant consultations for PR23. It also includes our responses to Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) PR23 publications.
In April 2010 some operators moved to metered electricity billing, also known as on-train metering (OTM), which means their charges are no longer based on modelled consumption rates, but instead are based on actual metered usage.