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Let the train take the strain.

British Rail went downhill when it got privatised.

I used to travel alot on Trains when i was in my teens-mid 20's,going to follow my football team all over the country.The old Inter City's were quality,as were the buffet's and the fares,not that i always paid my fare !wink!

Then came the privatisation where all the networks got regionalised.My network (South West Trains) are a right nightmare.Always late and will cancel trains for any trivial reason.

Rumour has it our 'beloved' mayor Ken Livingstone wants to hand South West Trains to tfl (Transport for London)

I'm dreading the day that happens.And don't get me started on Virgin Trains.

Alice, it would be easier to debate with you if you knew what you were talking about.

Quote:

"Blaming Network Rail is ridiculous, why not freeze the fat cat pay rises and use it to pay to keep the tracks maintained etc?"

Further quote:

"the shareholders and bosses are megarich while their services are run down, whenever there is a derailment they are never prosecuted"

Try to understand that the lines and signalling systems are provided by NETWORK RAIL and they do not run trains. Delays/incidents/accidents due to track/signalling/bridge/level crossing or other infrastructure problems and over-running maintenance are down to them, not the train operating companies - though it is the operating companies who have to take the public wrath as their staff are visible and available, Network Rail staff keep a very low profile.

The people responsible at Network Rail should be removed from their posts if they are unable to do their jobs - and should be prosecuted if they are criminally negligent.

Quote:

"Slam door trains were beautiful, far superior to these automatic ones they have now."

...and you expect people to take you seriously?????

Well i preferred the old slam door trains and the carriages were laid out better, still i will be entitled to a free bus pass soon !happy!

Didnt like the slam door ones the C2C trains are far the best very fast and good seats.

Quote:
"It should be made a joint venture- if these outfits are running their trains then they should be investing to ensure safety and value for their patrons."

Totally agree - but from a slightly different perspective. Most of the franchisees would be only too pleased to have the infrastructure under their control but the legislation and the way the Tories set it up doesn't allow it.

Back in the days of the four train companies prior to 1948, in fact even before the 1923 grouping when there were dozens of companies, each company owned its total network from rolling stock to the sand buckets used for fire extinguishing. Where running over another company's metals was required, or through ticketing was offered to passengers, the Railway Clearing House, in a building at the side of Euston Station, would handle the paperwork and ensure each company both paid and received monies due - all years before computers.

Each company thus had true ownership of its operation and stood or fell - and many did fall - on its own performance.

The hair-brained rail privatisation scheme was as bad as Nicholas the Ridiculous Ridley's bus privatisation which has ended up with the country having just four faceless national organisations running 80% of the bus services

Indeed.

We would do so much better as a modern version of the Big Four- the Big Six or Seven- viz: London North Eastern, Southern, Great Western, London Midland, West Coast, Scottish; and Welsh.

Each of them could own an eighth of Network Rail with the UK Government owning the remaining shares as guarantor.