Licences issued by the Office of the Rail Regulator/Office of Rail Regulation/Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

A (hopefully) comprehensive listing

Companies beginning W

Last update 27 April 2024

Additional information is always gratefully received, whether entirely new records (particularly historical records) or information to fill in gaps or correct errors, via the contact link under the Miscellaneous entry in the navigation bar above. Thank you.

Please select a letter from the list below:

Wabtec Rail Limited

Licence exemption 2010 No 20

Consultation began 3 November 2010; from 10 December 2010

Non-passenger trains within Doncaster West Yard only

Wabtec Rail Scotland Limited

Formerly Brush Barclay Limited (to 14 April 2011)

Licence exemption 2010 No 22

Consultation began 16 November 2010; from 14 December 2010; company dissolved 15 March 2016

Non-passenger trains shunting at Hunslet Barclay sidings, Kilmarnock

W A Developments Limited

See Stobart Rail Limited

Wales & West Passenger Trains Limited

Formerly South Wales & West Railways Limited (14 January 1995 to 28 September 1997)

Initially a British Railways Board subsidiary, change of control 13 October 1996 (Prism Rail plc)

Passenger licence LIC/20/03

From 23 July 1995; revoked 18 May 2007

Light maintenance depot licence LIC/20/01

From 23 July 1995; revoked 18 May 2007

Cardiff Canton to 15 October 2001

Exeter

Station licence LIC/20/04

From 23 July 1995; revoked 18 May 2007

Abergavenny to 14 October 2001

Ammanford to 14 October 2001

Ashchurch for Tewkesbury from 1 June 1997

Avoncliff

Avonmouth

Baglan to 14 October 2001

Barnstaple

Bedminster

Bere Alston

Bere Ferrers

Bodmin Parkway

Bradford-on-Avon

Bridgwater

Briton Ferry to 14 October 2001

Broome to 14 October 2001

Bruton

Bucknell to 14 October 2001

Bugle

Builth Road to 14 October 2001

Bynea to 14 October 2001

Caldicot to 14 October 2001

Calstock

Cam & Dursley

Camborne

Carbis Bay

Carmarthen to 14 October 2001

Castle Cary

Causeland

Chapelton

Cheltenham Spa

Chepstow to 14 October 2001

Chetnole

Church Stretton to 14 October 2001

Cilmeri to 14 October 2001

Clarbeston Road to 14 October 2001

Clifton Down

Clunderwen to 14 October 2001

Coombe Junction Halt

Copplestone

Craven Arms to 14 October 2001

Crediton

Cwmbran to 14 October 2001

Cynghordy to 14 October 2001

Dawlish Warren

Dawlish

Dean (Wilts)

Devonport

Digby & Sowton

Dilton Marsh

Dockyard (Devonport)

Dolau to 14 October 2001

Dorchester West

Eggesford

Exeter Central

Exeter St Thomas

Exmouth

Exton

Falmouth Docks

Falmouth Town

Ferryside to 14 October 2001

Ffairfach to 14 October 2001

Filton

Fishguard Harbour to 14 October 2001

Freshford

Frome

Garth (Mid Glamorgan) to 14 October 2001

Garth (Powys) to 14 October 2001

Gloucester

Gowerton to 14 October 2001

Gunnislake

Haverfordwest to 14 October 2001

Hayle

Hereford to 14 October 2001

Highbridge & Burnham

Hopton Heath to 14 October 2001

Ivybridge

Johnston (Pembs) to 14 October 2001

Kemble

Keyham

Keynsham omitted on original licence listing; added later

Kidwelly to 14 October 2001

Kilgetty to 14 October 2001

Kings Nympton

Knighton to 14 October 2001

Knucklas to 14 October 2001

Lamphey to 14 October 2001

Lapford

Lawrence Hill

Lelant Saltings

Lelant

Leominster to 14 October 2001

Liskeard

Llanbister Road to 14 October 2001

Llandeilo to 14 October 2001

Llandovery to 14 October 2001

Llandrindod Wells to 14 October 2001

Llandybie to 14 October 2001

Llanelli to 14 October 2001

Llangadog to 14 October 2001

Llangammarch to 14 October 2001

Llangennech to 14 October 2001

Llangynllo to 14 October 2001

Llansamlet to 14 October 2001

Llanwrda to 14 October 2001

Llanwrtyd to 14 October 2001

Looe

Lostwithiel

Ludlow to 14 October 2001

Luxulyan

Lydney to 14 October 2001

Lympstone Commando

Lympstone Village

Maesteg to 14 October 2001

Maesteg (Ewenny Road) to 14 October 2001

Maiden Newton

Manorbier to 14 October 2001

Melksham

Menheniot

Milford Haven to 14 October 2001

Montpelier

Morchard Road

Mottisfont & Dunbridge

Nailsea & Backwell

Nantwich to 14 October 2001

Narberth to 14 October 2001

Newquay

Newton St Cyres

Okehampton from 20 May 1997 extension of operations 16 September 1997 further extension of operations 22 October 1997 operations for summer 1998 15 May 1998

Oldfield Park

Paignton

Pantyffynnon to 14 October 2001

Par

Parson Street

Patchway

Pembrey & Burry Port to 14 October 2001

Pembroke to 14 October 2001

Pembroke Dock to 14 October 2001

Penally to 14 October 2001

Pencoed to 14 October 2001

Penmere

Penryn (Cornwall)

Pen-y-Bont to 14 October 2001

Penzance

Perranwell

Pilning

Polsloe Bridge

Pontarddulais to 14 October 2001

Pontyclun to 14 October 2001

Pontypool & New Inn to 14 October 2001

Portsmouth Arms

Prees to 14 October 2001

Pyle to 14 October 2001

Quintrell Downs

Redland

Redruth

Roche

Romsey

St Andrews Road

St Austell

St Budeaux Ferry Road

St Budeaux Victoria Road

St Columb Road

St Erth

St Germans

St Ives (Cornwall)

St James Park (Exeter)

St Keyne Wishing Well Halt

Saltash

Sandplace

Sarn to 14 October 2001

Saundersfoot to 14 October 2001

Sea Mills

Severn Beach

Severn Tunnel Junction to 14 October 2001

Shirehampton

Skewen to 14 October 2001

Stapleton Road

Starcross

Stonehouse

Stroud (Gloucs)

Sugar Loaf Halt to 14 October 2001

Teignmouth

Tenby to 14 October 2001

Thornford

Tondu to 14 October 2001

Topsham

Torquay

Torre

Trowbridge

Truro

Umberleigh

Warminster

Wem to 14 October 2001

Westbury

Weston Milton

Weston-super-Mare

Whitchurch (Cardiff) to 14 October 2001

Whitland to 14 October 2001

Wildmill to 14 October 2001

Worle

Wrenbury to 14 October 2001

Yate

Yatton

Yeoford

Yeovil Pen Mill

Yetminster

Yorton to 14 October 2001

Non-passenger licence LIC/20/02

From 23 July 1995; revoked 18 May 2007

EU licence notification (freight and passenger)

28 November 2005; revoked 18 May 2007

Wales Infrastructure Manager of Last Resort Limited

Operator of last resort, subsidiary of Transport for Wales

Network licence UK 03 2020 0004

Consultation began 13 December 2019; from 26 March 2020

Core Valley Lines [south Wales]

Wales Operator of Last Resort Limited

See Transport for Wales Rail Limited

W&D McCulloch Limited

Licence exemption NP/20/05

Consultation began 25 March 2020; from 4 May 2020

Non-passenger trains within possessions only

Wealden Railway Company Limited

Licence exemption

Consultation began 1 July 2008

Network Birchden Junction to Eridge, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network

Licence exemption 2010 No 18

Consultation began 2 November 2010; from 1 December 2010

Network Birchden Junction to Eridge except any asset exempted by the Railways (Class and Miscellaneous Exemptions) Order 1994, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network

Weardale Railway Limited

Formerly SWINMADCO57 Limited (to 17 August 2020)

Licence exemption NE/20/02

Consultation began 21 July 2020; from 27 August 2020

Network forming the railway between Bishop Auckland and Eastgate and approved extensions, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network

Weardale Railways CIC

Formerly Weardale Railways Limited (to 10 April 2007)

Licence exemption 2004 No 10

Consultation began 16 April 2004; from 16 July 2004; revoked 12 April 2010

Network Stanhope to Witton-le-Wear, any passenger or non-passenger train on network

Also light maintenance depot:

Wolsingham

Also stations:

Frosterley

Stanhope

Wolsingham

Licence exemption 2010 No 3

Consultation began 11 March 2010; from 12 April 2010; revoked 27 August 2020

Network forming the Weardale Railway and approved extensions, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network

Weardale Railways Limited

See Weardale Railways CIC

Wensleydale Railway plc

Passenger licence UK 03 2003 0006

Consultation began 15 May 2002; from 23 April 2003; revoked 15 November 2010

Light maintenance depot licence UK 03 2003 0009

Consultation began 15 May 2002; from 23 April 2003; revoked 15 November 2010

Leeming Bar

Station licence UK 03 2003 0008

Consultation began 15 May 2002; from 23 April 2003; revoked 15 November 2010

Bedale

Finghall from 15 October 2004

Leeming Bar

Leyburn

Northallerton West requested from 20 April 2004 but not added

Redmire

Scruton requested from 20 April 2004 but not added

Network licence UK 03 2003 0010

Consultation began 15 May 2002; from 23 April 2003; revoked 15 November 2010

Castle Hill Junction to Redmire

Non-passenger licence UK 03 2003 0007

Consultation began 15 May 2002; from 23 April 2003; revoked 15 November 2010

Licence exemption 2010 No 15

Consultation began 23 September 2010; from 15 November 2010

Network forming Wensleydale Railway and approved extensions, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network

West Anglia Great Northern Railway Limited

Initially a British Railways Board subsidiary, change of control 5 January 1997 (Prism Rail plc)

Passenger licence LIC/24/03

Consultation began 13 October 1995; from 10 December 1995; revoked 5 May 2006

Light maintenance depot licence LIC/24/01

Consultation began 13 October 1995; from 10 December 1995; revoked 5 May 2006

Cambridge

Chingford

Hornsey

Letchworth

Peterborough

Welwyn Garden City

Station licence LIC/24/04

Consultation began 13 October 1995; from 10 December 1995; revoked 5 May 2006

Alexandra Palace

Angel Road

Arlesey

Ashwell & Morden

Audley End

Baldock

Bayford

Bethnal Green

Biggleswade

Bishops Stortford

Bowes Park

Brimsdown

Brookmans Park

Broxbourne

Bruce Grove

Bush Hill Park

Cambridge Heath

Cambridge

Cheshunt

Chingford

Clapton

Crews Hill

Cuffley

Downham Market

Drayton Park

Edmonton Green

Elsenham

Ely

Enfield Chase

Enfield Lock

Enfield Town

Essex Road

Finsbury Park

Foxton

Gordon Hill

Grange Park

Great Chesterford

Hackney Downs

Hadley Wood

Harlow Mill

Harlow Town

Harringay

Hertford East

Hatfield (Herts)

Hertford North

Highams Park

Highbury & Islington

Hitchin

Hornsey

Huntingdon

Kings Lynn

Knebworth

Letchworth

Littleport

London Fields

Meldreth

Moorgate

New Barnet

New Southgate

Newport (Essex)

Northumberland Park

Oakleigh Park

Old Street

Palmers Green

Ponders End

Potters Bar

Rectory Road

Roydon

Royston

Rye House

St James Street (Walthamstow)

St Margarets (Herts)

St Neots

Sandy

Sawbridgeworth

Seven Sisters

Shelford

Shepreth

Silver Street

Southbury

Stamford Hill

Stansted Airport

Stansted Mountfitchet

Stevenage

Stoke Newington

Theobalds Grove

Tottenham Hale

Turkey Street

Waltham Central

Waltham Cross

Ware

Waterbeach

Watlington

Watton-at-Stone

Welham Green

Welwyn Garden City

Welwyn North

White Hart Lane

Winchmore Hill

Wittlesford

Wood Street

Non-passenger licence LIC/24/02

Consultation began 13 October 1995; from 10 December 1995; revoked 5 May 2006

EU licence notification (freight and passenger)

28 November 2005; revoked 5 May 2006

West Coast Main Line Company Limited

See DfT OLR6 Limited

West Coast Railway Company Limited

Passenger licence LIC/60/01

Consultation began 24 April 1998; from 18 June 1998; superseded 28 November 2005

Licence exemption

Consultation began 17 February 2004

Non-passenger trains

Non-passenger licence UK 03 2005 0004

Consultation began 4 February 2005; from 11 May 2005

European freight licence UK 01 2005 0080

From 11 May 2005

European passenger licence UK 01 2005 0078

From 28 November 2005 (backdated to 18 June 1998)

Passenger SNRP (charter) UK 02 2005 0079

From 28 November 2005 (backdated to 18 June 1998)

Freight SNRP UK 02 2005 0081

From 11 May 2005

West Coast Traincare Limited

Light maintenance depot licence UK 03 1999 0001

Consultation began 27 November 1998; from 20 February 1999

Glasgow Polmadie

Liverpool Edge Hill

Manchester International from 19 June 2000; to 31 January 2006

Manchester Longsight

Wembley

Willesden to 23 May 2007

Wolverhampton Oxley also called Midlands Traincare Centre

Non-passenger licence

Consultation began 19 November 1999

West Coast Trains Limited

Formerly InterCity West Coast Limited (10 January 1995 to 9 March 1997)

Initially a British Railways Board subsidiary, change of control 9 March 1997 (Virgin Rail Group Limited)

Passenger licence LIC/25/03

From 30 April 1995

Light maintenance depot licence UK 03 1995 0014 formerly LIC/25/01

From 30 April 1995; transferred to West Coast Traincare 19 February 1999; revoked 18 January 2010

Glasgow Polmadie

Liverpool Edge Hill

Manchester Longsight

Wembley

Willesden

Wolverhampton Oxley

Station licence UK 03 1995 0013 formerly LIC/25/04

From 30 April 1995; revoked 27 May 2021

Birmingham International

Carlisle

Coventry

Crewe

Lancaster

Macclesfield

Oxenholme Lake District

Penrith (North Lakes)

Preston

Rugby

Runcorn

Stafford

Stockport

Stoke-on-Trent

Warrington Bank Quay

Wigan North Western

Wolverhampton to 31 March 2018

Non-passenger licence UK 03 1995 0012 formerly LIC/25/02

From 30 April 1995; revoked 27 May 2021

European passenger licence UK 2005 0082 formerly LIC/25/06

From 28 November 2005; revoked 27 May 2021

Passenger SNRP UK 02 2005 0083

From 28 November 2005; revoked 27 May 2021

European freight licence UK 01 2005 0084 formerly LIC/25/05

From 28 November 2005 (later backdated to 30 April 1995)

Freight SNRP UK 02 2005 0085

From 28 November 2005

Western Infrastructure Maintenance Company Limited

See Amey Railways Limited

Western Rail Limited

Passenger licence

Consultation began 28 November 2005; application withdrawn by applicant 13 December 2005

Light maintenance depot licence

Consultation began 28 November 2005; application withdrawn by applicant 13 December 2005

Station licence

Consultation began 28 November 2005; application withdrawn by applicant 13 December 2005

Non-passenger licence

Consultation began 28 November 2005; application withdrawn by applicant 13 December 2005

Western Track Renewals Company Limited

Later Jarvis Fastline Limited (from 27 February 1998)

Initially a British Railways Board subsidiary, change of control 23 July 1996 (Relayfast Limited)

Network licence LIC/40/01

Consultation began 24 March 1995; from 12 October 1995

Non-passenger licence LIC/40/02

Consultation began 24 March 1995; from 12 October 1995

Licence exemption 1995 No 8

Consultation began 24 March 1995; from 12 October 1995

Light maintenance depots:

Bristol St Philips Marsh

Cardiff Cathays

Exmouth Junction

Reading Triangle

West Midlands Trains Limited

European passenger licence UK 01 2017 0003

Consultation began 11 October 2017; from 10 December 2017

Light maintenance depot licence UK 03 2017 0005

Consultation began 11 October 2017; from 10 December 2017

Birmingham Soho

Birmingham Tyseley

Bletchley

Bletchley Carriage Sidings

Camden Carriage Sidings

Coventry North Yard from 1 April 2024

Shrewsbury Abbey Foregate

Worcester Shrub Hill

Station licence UK 03 2017 0004

Consultation began 11 October 2017; from 10 December 2017

Acocks Green

Acton Bridge

Adderley Park

Albrighton

Alvechurch

Apsley

Aspley Guise

Aston

Atherstone

Barlaston

Barnt Green

Bearley

Bedford St Johns

Bedworth

Berkhamsted

Berkswell

Bermuda Park

Bescot Stadium

Bilbrook

Birmingham Snow Hill

Blake Street

Blakedown

Bletchley

Bloxwich

Bloxwich North

Bordesley

Bournville

Bow Brickhill

Bricket Wood

Bromsgrove

Butlers Lane

Canley

Cannock

Cheddington

Chester Road

Claverdon

Codsall

Coleshill Parkway

Colwall

Coseley

Cosford

Coventry Arena

Cradley Heath

Danzey

Droitwich Spa

Duddeston

Dudley Port

Earlswood (West Midlands)

Erdington

Fenny Stratford

Five Ways

Four Oaks

Garston (Hertfordshire)

Gravelly Hill

Great Malvern

Hagley

Hall Green

Hampton-in-Arden

Hamstead

Hartford

Hartlebury

Hednesford

Hemel Hempstead

Henley-in-Arden

How Wood (Hertfordshire)

Jewellery Quarter

Kempston Hardwick

Kenilworth from 30 April 2018

Kidderminster

Kings Langley

Kings Norton

Landywood

Langley Green

Lea Hall

Ledbury

Leighton Buzzard

Lichfield City

Lichfield Trent Valley

Lidlington

Long Buckby

Longbridge

Lye

Malvern Link

Marston Green

Millbrook (Bedfordshire)

Milton Keynes Central

Northampton

Northfield

Nuneaton

Oakengates

Old Hill

Olton

Park Street

Penkridge

Perry Barr

Polesworth

Redditch

Ridgmont

Rowley Regis

Rugeley Town

Rugeley Trent Valley

St Albans Abbey

Sandwell & Dudley

Selly Oak

Shenstone

Shifnal

Shirley

Small Heath

Smethwick Galton Bridge

Smethwick Rolfe Street

Spring Road

Stechford

Stewartby

Stone

Stourbridge Junction

Stourbridge Town

Stratford-upon-Avon not on licence listing

Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway

Sutton Coldfield

Tame Bridge Parkway

Tamworth

Telford Central

The Hawthorns

The Lakes (Warks)

Tile Hill

Tipton

Tring

Tyseley

University (Birmingham)

Walsall

Water Orton

Watford Junction

Watford North

Wedgwood

Wellington (Shropshire)

Whitlock's End

Widney Manor

Wilmcote

Wilnecote

Winsford

Witton

Woburn Sands

Wolverhampton from 1 April 2018

Wolverton

Wood End

Wootton Wawen misspelt 'Wooten Wawen' until corrected 6 August 2018

Worcester Foregate Street

Worcester Shrub Hill

Wylde Green

Wythall omitted on original licence listing; added August 2018

Yardley Wood

Passenger SNRP UK 02 2017 0003

From 10 December 2017

Westminster Rail Limited

See South Eastern Trains Limited

West Somerset Railway Public Limited Company

Licence exemption H/12/01

Consultation began 15 December 2011; from 7 March 2012

Network forming Norton Fitzwarren triangle plus any approved extensions, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station on network

Whitwell & Reepham Railway Preservation Society Limited

Licence exemption 2009 No 3

Consultation began 27 January 2009; from 24 February 2009

Network Whitwell station towards Reepham station through Themelthorpe curve plus any approved extensions, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network

W H Malcolm Limited

Licence exemption 2002 No 2

Consultation began 18 January 2002; from 9 April 2002; revoked 10 October 2008

Network forming Grangemouth Fouldubs terminal

Licence exemption 2005 No 8

Consultation began 15 July 2005; from 30 August 2005; revoked 10 October 2008

Network forming Elderslie engineer's sidings

Licence exemption 2008 No 8

Consultation began 3 March 2008; from 7 June 2008; revoked 8 May 2012

Network forming Daventry International Railfreight Terminal, any non-passenger train and any light maintenance depot on network

Licence exemption 2008 No 17

Consultation began 9 September 2008; from 10 October 2008

Network forming Grangemouth Fouldubs terminal and approved extensions, any train and any light maintenance depot on network

The ORR's 2008-09 annual report states that no passenger exemption was granted, but the Consultation began no distinction between passenger and non-passenger trains

Licence exemption 2008 No 18

Consultation began 9 September 2008; from 10 October 2008

Network forming Elderslie terminal and approved extensions, any train and any light maintenance depot on network

The ORR's 2008-09 annual report states that no passenger exemption was granted, but the consultation showed no distinction between passenger and non-passenger trains

Licence exemption NE/12/04

Consultation began 4 April 2012; from 8 May 2012

Network:

Daventry International Railfreight Terminal (including DIRFT2)

upper arrival line, siding 1 and siding 2 from 26 July 2015

upper arrival line 650m extension towards the DIRFT2 northern boundary from 23 October 2015

1,000m second line in DIRFT2 towards northern boundary from 15 August 2023

DIRFT3 two lines 1,100m long and six sidings 1,000m long from 15 August 2023

and any non-passenger train and any light maintenance depot on network

Replaces exemption 2008 No 8

William Bradshaw (Plant Hire & Contractors) Limited

Licence exemption NP/23/01

Consultation began 24 November 2022; from 12 January 2023

Rail mounted maintenance machines within possessions only

WM Trains Limited

Operator of last resort, subsidiary of Department for Transport

Formerly DfT OLR12 Limited (6 March 2019 to 16 February 2021)

European passenger licence UK 01 2020 0006

Consultation began 23 June 2020; from 10 September 2020

Light maintenance depot licence UK 03 2020 0022

Consultation began 23 June 2020; from 10 September 2020

Depots not defined

Station licence UK 03 2020 0021

Consultation began 23 June 2020; from 10 September 2020

Stations not defined

Non-passenger licence UK 03 2020 0020

Consultation began 23 June 2020; from 10 September 2020

Passenger SNRP UK 02 2020 0006

From 10 September 2020

Works Infrastructure Limited

Formerly DMQA Technical Services (UK) Limited (to 11 April 2006)

Licence exemption 2003 No 6

Consultation began 6 June 2003; from 19 September 2003; revoked 29 October 2013

Rail mounted maintenance machines within possessions only

Wrexham Shropshire & Marylebone Railway Company Limited

European passenger licence UK 01 2008 0001

Consultation began 18 January 2008; from 19 March 2008; revoked 8 June 2011

Passenger SNRP UK 02 2008 0001

From 19 March 2008; revoked 8 June 2011

WS Atkins Rail Limited

See Atkins Rail Limited

WyvernRail plc

Licence exemption

Consultation began 9 May 2003

Activity not defined

Licence exemption 2004 No 14

Consultation began 9 July 2004; from 23 August 2004; revoked 4 March 2008

Network forming single line running ½ mile from Wirksworth station, any passenger or non-passenger train on network

Also light maintenance depot:

Wirksworth

Also station:

Wirksworth

Licence exemption 2005 No 10

Consultation began 2 August 2005; from 31 August 2005; revoked 4 March 2008

Network forming line from Wirksworth to Ravenstor, any passenger or non-passenger train on network

Also station:

Ravenstor

Licence exemption 2008 No 3

Consultation began 21 August 2007; from 4 March 2008

Network forming line Ravenstor to Duffield Junction and sidings at Wirksworth, any passenger or non-passenger train and any station or light maintenance depot on network