The mapping of the UK rail network saw the biggest changes since the 1990s privatisation from 02.00 on Sunday 11 November 2007, when four Train Operating Companies (TOCs) ended franchise operations and four new operators arrived.

This was by no means a straight ‘swap’ of operators, with many line of route changes incorporated.

Virgin Trains surrendered its CrossCountry operation, which was in the main taken over by Arriva Trains operating as Cross Country. Further changes will affect this operator in early December. At present the Prior CrossCountry operation become Arriva Cross Country, which includes the former Central Trains routes from Birmingham to Cardiff and Birmingham to Stansted Airport. From early December the existing CrossCountry services from Birmingham to the North West and Glasgow will be encompassed in a changed Virgin West Coast franchise, while the Manchester Airport to Edinburgh and Glasgow service will be transferred to First TransPennine Express.

The prior Central Trains franchise has ended, with West Midlands services taken over by a new operator London Midland, part of the Govia Group. London Midland also takes over the former Silverlink Country services from London Euston to Northampton/Birmingham, as well as services from Birmingham to Liverpool and Preston.

The prior Silverlink franchise has ended, the former London-based operations  - Euston-Watford, Stratford-Richmond, Willesden-Clapham Junction and diesel branch line services have been taken over by a Transport for London (TfL) concession operated by Hong Kong-based MTL and trading as London Overground.

The former Midland Main Line franchise has been transferred to East Midland Trains, owned by Stagecoach. East Midlands Trains also take over the eastern section of the former Central Trains franchise to locations such as Worksop, Doncaster, Lincoln, Cleethorpes, Skegness, Peterborough, Cambridge and Norwich.

All the new operators were quick to show off their new identity with official launches held on the first full trading day. Arriva Cross Country deployed reliveried Class 220 No. 220017 on the 06.55 Derby – Bristol and 09.58 return, while London Midland held an event at Birmingham where two Class 350s (350102/106) and a Class 170 (170504) were displayed in the new livery, very much based on the Govia style as seen on their Southern network.

Transport for London has yet to repaint a train, instead Ken Livingston unveiled a new ‘Overground’ logo at Hampstead.

East Midlands Trains held the most impressive event with a press and media special from Nottingham to St Pancras via Derby and Leicester. Five-car Class 222 No. 222017 was fully re-branded in East Midlands Rail - Stagecoach livery, based on the SWT main line white colours and looks very impressive on the 222 bodylines. The company also launched two Class 153s (153355/374) and two Class 158s (158883/890) in East Midlands livery (The 158s were actually South West Trains sets loaned to Nottingham Eastcroft for the handover).

East Midlands Trains, under the direction of Managing Director Tim Shoveller are set to introduce a number of important changes, much improving the passenger service. One of the most significant developments is the building of a new 10-vehicle length two-track depot on the site of the former Derby ‘E’ shed, this will be operated under contract by Bombardier and look after the Class 222 fleet. The HST fleet will continue in operation, much improved, and will be based at Leeds Neville Hill, while the DMU allocation will be based at Nottingham Eastcroft.

All in all the November changes are major, a huge change to the network and hopefully a huge improvement to passenger services.