Established by the Transport Act 1947, the Railways Executive was an operational executive under the control of the British Transport Commission. The Railways Executive was responsible for the management and operation of the nationalised railway companies and their undertakings.

Sir Eustace Missenden was Chair of the Railway Executive from its establishment until 1951. He was succeeded by Sir John Elliot. The headquarters of the Executive was 222 Marylebone Road, formerly the Hotel Grand Central.

The Railways Executive was divided into six regions, largely based on pre-nationalisation company boundaries. These regions were the Eastern region, the London Midland region, the North Eastern region, the Scottish region, the Southern region, and the Western region. These regions had Chief Regional Officers, the local representatives of the Executive and the co-ordinators of the department. The regional officers were issued directions by Railways Executive members, who were in turn issued directions from the British Transport Commission.

The Railways Executive was abolished by the Transport Act 1953, and its powers were transferred to the British Transport Commission.