Two operators with National Rail Contracts reached their core expiry dates yesterday, but they seem set to remain in the private sector for now. Greater Anglia and West Midlands Trains could both theoretically have been terminated, but in practice the Government is waiting for the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill to become law. It received its Third Reading in the House of Commons on 3 September, and had its First Reading in the House of Lords the following day. When law, this Bill will make operation of the former franchises public by default, and is intended to pave the way for the ‘directing mind’, Great British Railways, although GBR will need separate legislation.