UK rail travel is at its highest level for forty years with current demand increasing at 6% annually. Income is flooding in as Britain has become the second most expensive train service in the world. Innovative marketing combined with an increased number of trains and newer rolling stock have improved the rail offer but are current investment levels sufficient to meet the increase in demand? Britain is one of the only countries that operates 125mph trains and with train technology developing faster vehicles, the outlook for the industry would appear strong.

· With a vast central city network and innovative new trains that can run up to 140mph, the rail consumer should be able to expect greatly enhanced service in the future.

Future prospects for UK railways have been also influenced greatly by privatisation as well as road congestion, and government support for the industry, and as such, increased demand has caused over saturation on many lines. Investment has also increased since privatisation yet many trains are overcrowded and complaints have risen. Are the rail companies victims of their own marketing success? Rail advertising spend has increased eight-fold in the same time frame with a variety of new fare initiatives and innovative service ideas, but can operators back up their claims? The Travel, Leisure Intelligence report looks forward over the next five years analysing current improvements and successes, along with legislative, safety and reliability issues, and determining the consumer response.