We should run our railways on a not-for-profit basis. It works in Europe.

Derek Sadler, Morpeth

A lot of our industries need re-nationalising, starting with rail.

Andy Cope, Liverpool

Train stations and train lines – no thank you. Railway stations and railway lines – yes please.

James Ward, Manchester

Oh please, let’s hope this happens.

Lindis Percy, Harrogate

Train travel has become a ridiculously expensive, uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. It wasn’t always so. I support the return of British Rail.

John Leyland, Wigan

Privatisation was forced on us for cheaper fares and modernisation. We have gone backwards massively in both these steps. Bring back British Rail.

Joe Beamish, Torquay

No to private profiteers.

Mark Bretel, Birmingham

Please can we get things joined up again. I am fed up with a rail network using different operators and shopped out maintenance. It was better before.

Kathryn Read, Nottingham

Privatisation clearly has not worked — our trains are more expensive and provide worse service than those in mainland Europe. We need to re-take control of them.

Simon West, London

With so much direct and indirect subsidy, the idea that the railway isn’t already nationally funded is laughable. Let’s take charge if we’re going to pay for it anyway.

Sam Hayes, Manchester

I’m totally disgusted that Virgin and Stagecoach will be taking over the running of East Coast Trains. It’s all downhill from now.

Elizabeth Moffat, Nottingham

Cut fares not staff.

Michael Schouten, Brighton

Railways are too important to remain in private ownership.

Elisabeth Kiener, Reepham, Norfolk

You know something is going wrong when it is cheaper to drive to work than take the train.

Roshan Tajapra, London

I travel on the trains a lot. I spend as much on rent as I do on trains per month. Why do we spend so much for a greener way to travel? Look at Europe’s train prices.

Juliette Burton, Edinburgh

Brilliant initiative to try to Bring back British Rail. Good luck. It’s the best idea I have heard in years.

Beverley Clark, Hartlepool

It’s a no-brainer.

Robin Wells, Wimborne

And while you’re at it, please bring back trains with windows you can open, not air-con, so we can really enjoy the journeys breathing fresh air.

Ben Hooke, Norwich

Travel is a necessity, a public service. No one should expect to make money out of it, and those who do should not be permitted to be in charge of it.

Joanne Cummins, London

Total re-nationalisation is probably unfeasible. Infrastructure (Railtrack) should be publicly-owned.

Mike Falchikov, Edinburgh

With a reintegrated railway system, the bureaucracy could be cut benefiting the normal people in society.

Frank Nicholas Adam

Transport for the working man/woman is too important to leave to the greed of private enterprise.

Robert Eadie, Glasgow

Bring back BR. Run the trains for the people.

Richard Jones, St Helens

I support the re-nationalisation of railways as an intelligent transport policy.

Joan Young, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

It would cost nothing to re-nationalise franchises when they expire. And most people want our railways back in our hands.

Danny Gazzi, London

We simply must fight for a better life.

Stuart Flude, Durham

I’m not from the UK. In fact, I’ve never visited. Nonetheless, I possess great respect for the BR system of old. Bring back British Rail, bring back the age of the train.

Tamir Somerville, Vancouver

One should not make profit out of public transport.

Stephen Rollason, Exmouth

Just bring it back.

Frances McGinlay, Largs

We should look to countries like Japan, Germany and France for ideas on how to run our railways.

Rohan Mehra, Purley