London Overground Rail Operations

London Overground Rail Operations Limited, formerly known as MTR Laing Metro Limited, is a train operating company contracted to operate the London Overground train service on the National Rail network, under the franchise control of Transport for London. The company is a 50/50 joint venture between the European transport operator Arriva's division Arriva UK Trains and the Hong Kong rail operator MTR Corporation.

History
On 20 February 2006 the Department for Transport announced that Transport for London would take over management of services then provided by Silverlink Metro.

In June 2006 Transport for London announced that Govia, MTR/Laing, National Express and NedRail had been shortlisted to bid for the London Rail Concession.

In September 2006 Transport for London was announced that the extended East London Line would be included and the operation branded as London Overground.

In June 2007 Transport for London awarded the concession to MTR Laing with operations commencing on 11 November 2007. The franchise is for six years, four months until 31 March 2014 with a two year option.

In December 2007 John Laing plc's parent Henderson Group put the Laing Rail business up for sale. In April 2008, Deutsche Bahn announced it had bought Laing Rail. Laing Rail became part of the DB Regio empire, before a restucturing saw it moved under the control of Arriva UK Trains.

Services
London Overground operates these services:


 * East London Line - to West Croydon/Crystal Palace; Dalston Junction to New Cross.
 * Gospel Oak to Barking Line - Gospel Oak to
 * North London Line - to
 * Watford DC Line - Watford Junction to Euston
 * West London Line - Clapham Junction to
 * South London Line - Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction

Rolling stock
London Overground inherited a fleet of Class 150, Class 313 and Class 508s from Silverlink. These were replaced in 2009-11 by Class 172 Turbostars and Class 378 Capitalstars.

Depot
London Overground's fleet is maintained at New Cross and Willesden depots.