Localisation Bill and railways.

[The Decapod]

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11976409

I'm wondering if this would theoretically allow a group of commuters from towns along a rail line to form an organisation to buy the track and stations and operate trains (possibly with all-volunteer staff). I mean in theory - It's hardly likely that a group could buy the lines out of waterloo or anything, but at the margins of the rail network.

 

[WatcherZero]

Even a rural branch line with one train an hour locals would still need to raise millions to purchase.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

Running a rail service with real trains on real track is not like operating a big model railway. Sir Peter Parker once said that he had five million potential rail chairmen in the country. What he was alluding to to was of course the "we can do it better than you" brigade.