Railtrack order set to be lifted

Railtrack is to take its first steps out of administration on Tuesday, almost exactly a year after then Transport Secretary Stephen Byers plunged the rail industry - and his own career - into crisis by refusing the company's request for further funding.

A High Court judge will hear a Government application next week to lift the administration order, paving the way for its takeover by Network Rail, a new not-for-profit body.