Privatisation 1994-Today

Privatisation has created a number of companies, for example Scotrail - passenger services in Scotland, Railtrack - ownership and maintenace of the track, English Welsh and Scottish Railway - operator of freight services and many others. A number of new freight flows have been introduced but there are continuing concerns over the safety of signalling. Passenger companies are concerned about the length of their franchise and appear dis-inclined to invest money in new trains. With the introduction of new weight limits and signalling and the continuing problems of road overcrowding and road pollution the railways may finally have a secure niche.

This page has been replaced by this one.
 
 

1994	Railtrack PLC	Railtrack created during the privatisation of British Rail
1994	Scotrail PLC	Scotrail created during the privatisation of British Rail
1994, June	North British Railway	Wallyford station opened
1994, June	Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway	Sanquhar station opened
1994, September	Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway	Prestwick International station opened
1994, September	Stirlingshire Railway	Camelon station opened
1995, May	Dufftown Railway	Closure from Keith Junction to Strathisla Platform.
1996, December	Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway	Knockshinnoch to Bank Junction re-opened to freight
1997, January	Largs Line (Glasgow and South Western Railway)	Hunterston to Ardrossan Holm Junction re-opened to freight
1997, March	Grangemouth Line (Forth and Clyde Canal Company)	Grangemouth Docks to Fouldubs Junction re-opened to freight
1997, 31 March	British Rail	The last British Rail trains;   23:55; Edinburgh Waverley to London Euston Sleeper  23:55; London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley Sleeper
1997, April	Kincardine Line (North British Railway)	Longannet to Kincardine Power station re-opened to freight
1997, 31 August	Death of Diana, Princess of Wales
1998, 21 January	Hopeman Branch (Highland Railway)	Alves Junction to Roseisle re-opened to freight
1998, March	Aberdour Line (North British Railway)	Dalgety Bay station opened
1998, May	Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway	Drumfrochar station opened
1998, 29 June	Glasgow, City and District Railway	Start of repairs to Knightswood Tunnel
1998, July	Inverness and Perth Junction Railway	Aviemore station re-opened and Aviemore Speyside station closed
1998, 17 July	Formal burial of Czar Nicholas II, his family and Servants
1998, 18 July	Ayr to Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway)	Holehouse Junction to Broomhill Opencast reinstated and re-opened to freight