What is Great British Railways?
Great British Railways (GBR) is the new public body being set up by the government to run much of the rail network in Britain. By bringing train services back under public ownership instead of having individual train operators, the aim is to improve and simplify train travel.
Great British Railways will be responsible for things like managing infrastructure, running rail services and setting fares in England, Scotland and Wales. This is similar to how British Rail operated before the railways were privatised in 1997.
When will Great British Railways start?
Great British Railways transitions began on 25th May 2025, when South Western Railway moved into public ownership.
Rather than all operators transitioning at once, each moves to GBR ownership as its current contract expires. This staged approach minimises disruption and allows for smooth transitions between private and public management.
When does each operator become GBR?
The rollout will continue gradually through to December 2026:
|
Transition date |
Train operator |
|
25th May 2025 | |
|
20th July 2025 | |
|
12th October 2025 | |
|
1st February 2026 | |
|
31st May 2026 | Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited |
|
20th September 2026 | Chiltern Railways |
|
13th December 2026 | Great Western Railway |
How will this affect my bookings?
There are no changes to how tickets for journeys with these train operators can be purchased once they have transitioned.
Don’t worry though, we’re here for you. Nothing is changing with us during this time, you can still buy all your UK train journeys on our website and app.
Will all train operators change to have Great British Railways branding?
Yes, the individual operator identities and logos will all be replaced by the unified Great British Railways brand. This will happen gradually as existing private passenger rail contracts expire and services move into public ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Great British Railways (GBR)?
Great British Railways (GBR) is a new public body bringing rail operators back into government control. Instead of multiple separate private operators, there's now one main body for UK rail.
Which GBR operators have already transitioned?
7 operators now in public ownership: South Western Railway (May 2025), c2c (July 2025), Greater Anglia (October 2025), West Midlands Trains (February 2026), Thameslink (May 2026), Chiltern Railways (September 2026) and Great Western Railway (December 2026).
When will I see changes as a result of GBR?
- Immediate (May 2025: SWR under GBR management, same booking experience
- 6–12 months: Early reliability improvements, new trains visible.
- 2026: GBR branding, simplified fares rolling out
- 2027 and beyond: Full network transformation expected
When can I see the Great British Railways branding on trains?
The new Great British Railways logo is rolling out from spring 2026.
Will Delay Repay remain the same under GBR?
Yes, all Delay Repay regulations will remain the same with GBR.
Where will the Great British Railways HQ be?
The Great British Railways headquarters will be located in Derby.