There are a number of companies operating trains in the United Kingdom. These include the operators of passenger services, which are, rather confusingly, officially referred to as "train operating companies" or TOCs, as distinct from "freight operating companies".
A number of operating companies have ceased to exist for a number of reasons, including premature withdrawal of the franchise; the natural term of the franchise has expired; bankruptcy; or there has been a merger.
First Harrogate Trains, with the backing of the UK's first open access operator First Hull Trains, have proposed to run services between London and Harrogate via York.
Passenger Operators in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland passenger trains are still government-owned, under the auspices of Translink. The following brands are used:
