Railway Executive Committee

The Railway Executive Committee (REC) was a government body which controlled the operation of Britain's railways during World War I and World War II. It should not be confused with the Railway Executive which was a division of the British Transport Commission.

In both cases, this period of government control was followed by a major re-organisation of the railways.

World War I
REC control lasted from 1914 to 1921. It was followed by the Railways Act 1921 which led to the creation of the Big Four British railway companies in 1923. Herbert Ashcombe Walker was acting chairman of the REC in January 1917.

World War II
REC control lasted from 1939 until the railways were nationalised in 1948. Ralph Wedgwood was chairman of the REC from September 1939 to August 1941.

Publicity
Some of the cartoons of Carl Giles were reprinted in poster form for World War II Railway Executive Committee.