How Many Trains Are There in the UK
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Avanti Team - Avanti West Coast Blog Author 

By the Avanti West Coast Web team 

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5 min read | 1 July 2025

 

The rail network is vast, transporting passengers and freight around the country. Have you ever wondered ‘how many trains are there in the UK?’ As of March 2024, there were a total of 15,107 registered passenger trains in operation. Of these:

  • 71% are electric
  • 19% are diesel
  • 7% are bi-mode
  • 3% are locomotive hauled

More trains are added each year for several reasons:

Meeting growing demand

In recent years, train travel has grown in popularity. Congested roads and increased demand for cargo transport have led to more reliance on the British rail network.

Although weekends are typically quieter due to reduced commuter traffic, rail remains popular for leisure transport such as day trips, city breaks, and visiting  friends and families.

Maximising the network

To meet the rising demand, Network Rail and train operators, like Avanti West Coast, continuously manage the balance of services.

For big events, like football matches, operators often introduce additional trains to accommodate the crowds. Each new service needs to slot seamlessly into the existing timetable without disrupting other trains.

Avanti West Coast has added 263 extra weekly services to increase passenger choice. Since December 2022, additional services have been introduced to destinations such as Liverpool, Motherwell, and Llandudno.

A trusted train network

The UK’s rail network is one of the busiest and most complex in Europe. London Liverpool Street alone handled roughly 94.5 million passengers between April 2023 and March 2024.

Despite its complexity, over two-thirds of trains across the UK arrive on time, giving passengers confidence in reaching their destinations' reliability.

Rail freight is also vital for businesses. In 2023, trains carried 69 million tonnes of goods across the country.

The growing number of trains in the UK

Trains in the UK: A blank digital billboard at a train station with many passengers walking by in the distance.

The UK’s train fleet continues to expand as operators introduce newer, more efficient trains to replace older models.

One reason for this growth is increasing passenger numbers. In the third quarter of 2024, there were 433 million train journeys -  a 9% rise compared to the same period in 2023, nearing record highs.

Another reason is the push towards greener travel. Currently, electric trains operate on around 38% of the network. Projects such as the Glasgow-Barrhead electrification are steadily expanding this coverage.

Recent additions to the UK’s electric train fleet include:

  • Merseyrail's Class 777: Fast, quiet, and comfortable, these state-of-the-art electric trains are proving very popular with passengers in the Liverpool City Region.
  • c2c's Class 720: These sleek electric trains offer upgraded seating and on-board Wi-Fi, serving East London toSouth Essex.
  • Avanti Evero: These bi-mode trains switch between electricity and diesel, feature spacious seating, extra legroom and luggage space. They serve key routes such as London, Birmingham, Chester, and Liverpool.

Where are the UK's trains distributed?

Trains in the UK: A grey and orange train prepares to leave a quiet station during the daytime.

Thousands of trains operate across the UK at any given time, with the highest concentration in London. This isn’t a surprise, seeing as London is the busiest region for rail travel. All 10 of Great Britain’s busiest stations are in the capital.

How many trains are there in London?

In autumn 2023, government data recorded more than 1.14 million train passengers travelling to London daily - this is 10 times more than Birmingham, which has the second highest number of arrivals.

Given this demand, London receives significant investment. This funding supports the extensive infrastructure and frequent services the city relies on.

While modern trains dominate today, the iconic steam engine still has its place in British railway heritage.

How many steam trains are left in the UK?

Trains in the UK: A steam train rides through a lush valley over an aqueduct as steam emerges from its chimney.

Operational trains still run on the mainline, despite the UK retiring steam locomotives from regular service in 1968. Many mainline services are public charters that are part of special excursions planned by tour operators.

On most, you can simply book a ticket, where you get to enjoy a nostalgic ride. Some services even run as regular scheduled trips, making it easier for you to just hop on board.

Notable steam trains in operation include:

  • The Jacobite: A daily summer service running through Scotland’s stunning West Highland Line.
  • The Torbay Express: A long-established weekend summer excursion in the South West.
  • The Scarborough Spa Express: A revived service offering scenic steam journeys across northern England.

Beyond the mainline, there is a thriving network of preserved steam railways, these perfect for a day out with the family. Many steam engines are beautifully preserved in museums or as part of heritage lines.

Travelling with Avanti

Trains in the UK: A hand emerges to swipe a train ticket at an electronic ticket barrier.

Train travel remains a popular and comfortable way to explore the UK. As the birthplace of the railway, Britain continues to invest in modern trains while preserving its rich rail history.

Find out more about the Avanti fleet, including our Pendolinos and Evero trains.  You'll find railway and British history reflected in the names of our trains.