Train drain

Your editorial leader (“Nationalising trains is not the answer”, 17 May) reminded me of when I watched John Freeman interview Dr Richard Beeching after his 1960 sr ailwa yr eduction programme had been implemented.

When Freeman asked if he had any regrets over the cuts, Dr Beeching replied: “Yes, I do, that I was not allowed to close down the East Coast line, there is a perfectly good service into Scotland via Carlisle.” ( CANON) ALAN HUGHES

Governors Gardens Berwick- upon- Tweed