National Rail

National Rail is the public-facing brand for passenger train services in Great Britain. It provides shared ticketing, journey information, and network identity across services operated by multiple train companies.

Connect

Train operating company: A company that operates passenger train services under agreements with public authorities or infrastructure owners. These companies run the services presented under the National Rail brand.
Rail fares in Great Britain: The rules and prices governing passenger rail travel in Great Britain. National Rail provides a shared public framework for fares across operators.
British Rail: The state-owned corporation that operated most rail services in Great Britain from 1948 to 1997. National Rail replaced British Rail's single public identity after passenger operations were reorganized.
Network Rail: The public-sector body that owns and manages most railway infrastructure in Great Britain. Network Rail manages infrastructure; National Rail is the passenger-facing service brand.
Rail ticket: A document or electronic record granting travel on specified rail services or routes. National Rail arrangements let tickets work across services run by different operators.
Through ticketing: Ticketing that allows a passenger to travel across connected services under one ticket. It enables journeys involving more than one train company.
Railways Act 1993: A UK law that provided for the privatization and restructuring of British Rail. It established the legal framework that produced the multi-operator system behind the brand.
Department for Transport: The UK government department responsible for transport policy and funding in England. It commissions many services but is not the National Rail brand or a train operator.
National Rail Enquiries: The official passenger information service for train travel in Great Britain. It supplies journey, timetable, and disruption information associated with the brand.
Rail timetable: A published schedule of train services, stops, and departure and arrival times. Shared timetable information helps passengers plan journeys across operators.