The Road to Privatisation

The Transport Library\nThe Road to Privatisation\n\nComplied by Colin Scott-Morton\n\n ISBN 978-1-915281-12-8 | \u00A318.95 | Paperback | 185 colour illustrations\nIn the mid 1990s, our railway system arguably underwent the greatest period of upheaval since nationalisation, almost five decades earlier. And in a slightly ironic twist, that upheaval represented a complete reversal of what had happened in 1948. Between 1994 and 1997, the unified system was broken up and transferred to the private sector - passenger services to 25 franchisees, freight operations to seven independent businesses, rolling stock to three leasing companies, and track, stations and other assets to a new infrastructure operator. And the upheaval continued in the years ahead, with franchises changing hands, and freight operators restructuring and consolidating. Whatever else one thinks about the privatisation process, it was undoubtedly a fascinating time on our railway network, with the BR .