British Railways

British Railways the company owned by Britain following the merger of the Big four (LMS, LNER, SR, GWR)in 1948. This company lasted from 1948 to 1995 when it was privatisation

and divided up into different companies. The Island of Sodor was never really affected by the formation of British Rail, or it's demise.

In The series it is known as "the Other Railway"

Modernization
A report published in December of 1954 to bring the railway into the 20th century. In 1956 another report stated that modernization would bring help reduce BR's budget problems. In this plan was the removal of Steam and replacing them with Diesels and Electric locomotives, this led to the demise of steam, which is where the decades over the years have come from, and the shrinking number of steam engines.

In the series
British Rail's biggest appearance in the series is in the form of diesel locomotives on trial, and usually failing, misbehaving, or being embarrassed, or being rude.

Though good, helpful engines have arrived, over the years such as, Pip and Emma, The Works Diesel, Derek (though he had engine issues, but was very kind.)

The most mencion the railway it self has had was in The Eight Famous Engines, Gordon Goes Foreign.When Gordon, Duck and a foreign engine get into an argument over which station serves London. (Each; never been of their companies lines, thought that the that their was only one station when their are over 10, thus leading to an argument over which station was in London, King's Cross,   Paddington, Euston.)

The NWR's main line connects with BR's main line just over the bridge to the main land.