LOOK OUT FOR THIS SIGN

PRIOR TO 1997 THE OVERGROUND NETWORK OF TRAINS THAT RAN NATIONWIDE WAS KNOWN AS BRITISH RAIL. SINCE 1997 HOWEVER THE OVERGROUND INTERCITY SYSTEM HAS BECOME A SYSTEM OF FRANCHISES WITH LINES BEING SOLD OFF ON A LEASE BASIS TO PRIVATE COMPANIES. COLLECTIVELY THIS SYSTEM IS NOW KNOWN AS NATIONAL RAIL.  THIS GENERIC TERM SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH NETWORK RAIL WHO ARE THE BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIXED ASSETS OF THE NATIONAL RAILWAY SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDED THE ACTUAL TRACK ITSELF, BUT NOT THE ROLLING STOCK. THE LONDON UNDERGROUND IS NOT PART OF EITHER NETWORK RAIL OR NATIONAL RAIL, IT IS AN ENTIRELY SEPARATE SYSTEM THAT IN PARTS SHARES STATIONS AND TRACK WITH NATIONAL RAIL. NATIONAL RAIL STATIONS ARE TERMED MAINLINE STATIONS WHICH MEANS IT IS PART OF THE RAIL SYSTEM THAT COVERS THE WHOLE OF MAINLAND BRITAIN AND NOT A LOCAL SERVICE. SO IF YOU ARE IN LONDON AND ARE LOOKING TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTRY YOU NEED TO USE ONE OF THE MAINLINE STATIONS. SOME MAINLINE STATIONS ARE ALSO SHARED WITH LONDON TUBE STATIONS AND THESE ARE SHOWN ON MAPS AS INTERCHANGE STATIONS. TO CONFUSE MATTERS EVEN FURTHER SOME PRIVATELY OWNED AND RUN SERVICES THAT USE THE NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE ARE NOT PART OF THE NATIONAL RAIL SYSTEM. THESE INCLUDE POPULAR SERVICES SUCH AS THE HEATHROW EXPRESS FROM PADDINGTON STATION WHICH IS OWNED BY BAA AND THE EUROSTAR SERVICE FROM ST PANCRAS STATION WHICH RUNS TO PARIS IN FRANCE.
THE MAP OF LONDON TRAIN SERVICES INCLUDES THE NATIONAL RAIL LINES WHICH YOU CAN FIND BY CLICKING HERE

BOOKING AND PLANNING THROUGH JOURNEYS CAN BE A PROBLEM IF YOU ARE TRYING TO OBTAIN ANY SPECIAL DEALS AND IT MAY WELL BE WORTH BOOKING A TRAVELCARD IN ADVANCE.
THE NATIONAL RAIL WEBSITE WITH JOURNEY, PRICE AND TICKET INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NEW RAIL SERVICE CALLED LONDON OVERGROUND WHICH IS NOT THE SAME THE NATIONAL RAIL OR NATIONAL OVERGROUND ROUTES. ITS A STANDALONE SERVICE RUN BY TRANSPORT FOR LONDON. IT CONSISTS OF THE FORMER LONDON RAILWAY AND THE EAST LONDON LINE (FROM 2010).
SEE LONDON OVERGROUND ROUTE

Saving Money
16-25 Railcard
Its possible to save 1/3 on fares covering much of the overground service including the Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express services with this card. You can also purchase this card if your over 25 providing your in full time education. The card can be used anytime however if you travel at or before 10am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) a minimum fare will apply. (currently £12). The cost of the card is £26 (£65 for 3 yrs). You need to hold a UK driving licence or passport to be eligible.