TOCs and stations

[angelic88]

Hey.
Not sure where to post this.
Basically, I am quite keen to learn about how UK rail works.
So, as you lot are so full of knowledge... can you help me learn?
I want to learn about franchises and train operating companies.

So basically is everything is owned by network rail? Their routes, and actual trains that operate on those routes are franchise? If not... what is franchise? And who owns the train stock?
Apart from painting the trains with their livery, what do TOCs do?
I understand that the thameslink is up for lease soon... just say a company like stagecoach win it, does that mean they take on the class 700s as well? And all the stations?
So, looking at the thameslink as it is now. FCC may not operate it from sept 2014 onwards? If stagecoach for e.g. win the bid, does that mean all the station managers and colours would change too? What about staff... and drivers? Do they go with the ToC? Or stay with the new one?
And are the current southern routes merging with the thameslink too? Would that mean that even sutton station would be operated by the same toc as bedford and brighton? Will that be all southern routes or just certain ones entering the thameslink?
Sorry if this doesnt make sense... this is why i want to try and understand!

 

[TheEdge]

Imagine a ball of thread. Its tangled up in the most bizarre way and in every different direction. 100 people are all try to untangle it, each one speaks a different language, none of them starting at the beginning and its been like that since 1997.

The British Railway network in 46 words.

 

[yorkie]

Hey.
Not sure where to post this.

This is going to get incredibly jumbled as you are effectively trying to start about 10 topics but in only one thread.

I suggest asking a specific question in a specific thread, in the appropriate area. Many of the questions will be answered in existing threads. If our forum search isn't giving you good results, try Google (specifying site:railforums.co.uk)

As you've posted in Stations & Infrastructure, let's stick to that part of your post here, if that's OK

I understand that the thameslink is up for lease soon... just say a company like stagecoach win it, does that mean they take on the class 700s as well? And all the stations?

Indeed Network Rail own the stations (well, most stations; some stations served by National Rail are owned by other bodies such as London Underground)

The franchise holder would manage most of the stations on this route. You can find out who manages a station currently on the National Rail website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/ (enter a station name, or 3 letter code)

You can find out which stations will be managed by the new franchise in the Combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise: invitation to tender (PDF document) pages 221-228, which is on the DfT website.

So, looking at the thameslink as it is now. FCC may not operate it from sept 2014 onwards? If stagecoach for e.g. win the bid, does that mean all the station managers and colours would change too? What about staff... and drivers? Do they go with the ToC? Or stay with the new one?
And are the current southern routes merging with the thameslink too? Would that mean that even sutton station would be operated by the same toc as bedford and brighton? Will that be all southern routes or just certain ones entering the thameslink?
Sorry if this doesnt make sense... this is why i want to try and understand!

I suggest using this thread for discussion regarding the Thameslink Southern & Great Northern Franchise; feel free to post any questions which have not been answered in that thread.

 

[bicbasher]

There are parts of the railway which while operated by Network Rail with regards to signals have different owners.

A section of the East London Line from north of New Cross Gate northbound to the Dalston Junction curve is owned by Transport for London (TfL) along with the stations in between. This is due to the legacy of part of this railway formerly being part of London Underground, but was rebuilt to NR standards as part of the ELL extension which is on NR owned track. The Network Rail signal box for the ELL core is on the TfL owned New Cross London Overground depot and has NR and TfL employees working side by side.

Also the section of track which spurs off the Great Western railway to Heathrow Airport which is used by Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect is owned by BAA, yet Network Rail control the signals.