About the rail industry

This section explains the companies and organisations involved in the rail industry.

We regulate the industry in accordance with UK and European legislation.

Rail infrastructure

This section provides information about the different sectors of the rail industry and how we regulate them.

Our work as a regulator is shaped by UK and European legislation.

This section explains the main public bodies involved in the rail industry in the United Kingdom and Europe.

We are not the only body involved in health and safety on the railway.

Rail Accident Investigation Branch – responsible for investigating rail accidents.
Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission and Channel Tunnel Safety Authority – the independent safety authority for the channel tunnel.
Rail Safety and Standards Board - builds industry-wide consensus and facilitates the resolution of difficult cross-industry issues.
British Transport Police – the national police force for the mainline railways, the London Underground system, Docklands Light Railway, the Glasgow Subway, the Midland Metro tram system and Croydon Tramlink.
Health and Safety Executive - the HSE gives advice to the Government on health and safety matters.

The rail industry is comprised of a number of types of companies:

Network Rail – the rail infrastructure owner and operator.
Train operating companies – who operate passenger trains.
Freight operating companies – who operate freight trains.
Rolling stock companies – who own and lease trains to train operating companies.
Passenger support – information for passengers about how to make a comment or complaint about train companies.

ORR provides this list of links as a service to our website users. Inclusion in this list does not imply the endorsement of any organisation.