Rail infrastructure managers: the worldwide directory
Who maintains the track, runs the signalling, allocates train paths and tenders the big projects in each country? This directory lists the railway infrastructure managers of the world, each with a direct link to its official website. It is maintained by the TrainsNews team, led by a railway signalling engineer.
188 infrastructure managers128 countriesLinks checked on 12 Oct 2026
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Infrastructure manager or train operator?
An infrastructure manager (IM) owns or runs the network itself: track, bridges and tunnels, overhead lines, signalling and telecoms. It maintains and renews these assets, allocates capacity (train paths) to railway undertakings and leads major works and their tenders.
A railway undertaking, or train operator, runs passenger or freight services on that network. In Great Britain, Network Rail manages most of the infrastructure while train operating companies and freight operators run the trains.
Across the European Union, EU law has required the two roles to be separated since Directive 91/440 of 1991. Elsewhere, one national company often does both, as Indian Railways or Morocco's ONCF do. Some countries also have several managers: a high-speed line under concession, a cross-border tunnel, or privately owned freight and mining lines. In North America, most track belongs to freight railroads.
How this directory is built
- One manager per national network, plus managers of concession lines, tunnels and major regional or freight networks.
- Each name links to the organisation's official website, checked by our team. Where a link has not yet been confirmed, the name appears without a link.
- Countries without a railway in service are not listed in the tables.
- TrainsNews is not affiliated with any infrastructure manager. All names belong to their respective owners.
Frequently asked questions
What is a rail infrastructure manager?
It is the body that owns or runs the rail network: it maintains track, signalling and overhead lines, allocates train paths to operators and manages upgrade projects.
What is the difference between an infrastructure manager and a train operator?
The infrastructure manager runs the network; the train operator runs the trains. In Great Britain, Network Rail manages most of the network while train operating companies and freight operators run services on it.
Who owns the railway tracks in the United States?
Most US rail lines belong to freight railroads such as BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and Norfolk Southern. Amtrak owns parts of its network, mainly on the Northeast Corridor, and runs most of its trains on freight-owned track.
Who manages the railway network in Germany?
DB InfraGO, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn created in 2024 from the merger of DB Netz and DB Station&Service, manages most of Germany's rail network and stations.
How can I report an error in the directory?
Use the TrainsNews contact page and name the country and the manager concerned. Every correction is checked against the official website before it is published.
Read also
All names belong to their respective owners; TrainsNews is not affiliated with any infrastructure manager. Report an error or suggest a manager · Version française : https://trainsnews.com/fr/gestionnaires-infrastructure-ferroviaire · © TrainsNews 2026
