Title: Privatisation of British Rail - Wikipedia
Headings: Privatisation of British Rail
Privatisation of British Rail
Contents
Background
To 1979
1980s
1990s
Legislation
Domestic system
As implemented
Subsequent changes
Channel Tunnel infrastructure and services
Impact
See also
References
Further reading
External links
Bibliography

Content: Privatisation of British Rail - Wikipedia
Privatisation of British Rail
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Transfer of ownership and operation of British railways from government to private sector

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The privatisation of British Rail was the process by which ownership and operation of the railways of Great Britain passed from government control into private hands. Begun in 1994, it had been completed by 1997. The deregulation of the industry was initiated by EU Directive 91/440 in 1991, which aimed to create a more efficient rail network by creating greater competition. British Railways (BR) had been in state ownership since 1948, under the control of the British Railways Board (BRB). Under the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher elected in 1979, various state-owned businesses were sold off, including various functions related to the railways – Sealink ferries and British Transport Hotels by 1984, Travellers Fare catering by 1988 and British Rail Engineering Limited (train building) by 1989. It was under Thatcher's successor John Major that the railways themselves were privatised, using the Railways Act 1993.