The Road to Privatisation

In the mid 1990s, our railway system arguably underwent the greatest period of upheaval since nationalisation, almost five decades earlier. 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. That upheaval continued in the years ahead, with franchises changing hands, and freight operators restructuring and consolidating. Whatever one thinks about the privatisation process, it was undoubtedly a fascinating time on our railway network, with the BR sector identities and colour schemes giving way to those of the multiple new operators. Using images from the collection of the late Colin Garratt, this book provides a visual record of that unique period of change.