Yes, because British Rail was an outstanding success.
Oh, wait, no it wasn't.
But it had the chance to be.
Over a period of about ten years the British Railways Board had two successive chairmen - both named Robert Reid. They each succeded in establishing some limited success in modernising and improving the railway system and its management.
However, the Swedish railway network had adopted a new franchising structure which appeared to be succesful. This led to an EU directive about railway operation and structure. John Major adopted it with enthusiasm. Swedish train operators eventually started to go bankrupt ... as did their British emulators.
decided that this was a model worth copying
