Early British railway companies

This category contains articles about British railway companies established before 1860.

A number of very early British railway companies were short-lived. Many were amalgamated into larger organisations, which were themselves grouped into the 'Big Four' in 1923 (see List of railway companies involved in the 1923 grouping). Some remained independent throughout their existence. See also the List of early British railway companies (up to the late 1850s).