We used to provide non-stop InterCity services, had lots of local services, allowed any route and had routes to holiday destinations. Who said we don’t need these anymore?

Ann Foster, Liverpool

We’ve just had enough – 10 years too much.

Jennifer David, Southend-on-Sea

About time too.

Roy Eyley, Farnsfield

It’s time we returned to a service that respects its passengers rather than rips off its customers.

Paul Robson, Hartlepool

Bring it back and get the right people to run it.

Mike James, Pontypridd

When it was publicly owned there was a better service to smaller stations and the staff were happier.

Bainbridge Christine, Durham

Do we not owe this to the future generations? I miss the scene of an InterCity liveried train whizzing past the rural coastlines. British Rail all the way.

Alex Lewis, Bangor

Despite massive investment our line still runs British Rail trains, built at public expense (313, 317). But at least the stations have hanging baskets now.

Chris Jones, Letchworth

Our private rail network is more expensive for users, fares are increasing all the time, it’s expensive for taxpayers, the service is terrible. Bring back British Rail.

Duncan Moore, Glasgow

Public transport should be supported by the state for the public good, not subsidised for private profit.

Bryan Dale, Caerleon

All part of the Tory attempt to put all public services in private hands. Re-nationalise all public utilities as soon as possible.

Karen Nadin, Newark

East Coast has given more revenue in three years back to the government than Branson has in 10 years, They are a model company that should have been the bench-mark.

Charles Chell, Peterborough

Stop shareholder profits.

Oliver Steward, Norwich

Privatisation was always a huge mistake. Let’s right the wrong now.

Suzie Woods, Sheffield

I nominate Richard Branson as the Headman.

John Hyde, Basingstoke

Our railways are a national disgrace. Put them back in the hands of British Rail and make the government responsible for running it.

Nick Ingram, Newhaven

Please – a nationalised, efficient, re-vitalised railway with a large public investment for the future.

Neal Wright, Penzance

Railways should exist to serve the public, not to make a profit at the travelling public’s expense.

Francis Voisey, Exeter

It’s about time they did it. At the moment even disabled passengers have to stand and suffer, because the trains are over-full.

George Frame, Nottingham

British Rail was fractured when de-nationalised by the earlier government, and must be re-united for financial good.

Peter Ashcroft, Huntingdon

This country desperately needs a unified, streamlined, better value and better service railway.

Nick Pope, London

A rail service has to be fully integrated, and it can’t be while there’s competition. Re-nationalise.

Stephen White, Shepshed

The current situation is confusing, expensive and inefficient. Bring back British Rail.

Marion Dutton, Sheffield

Not-for-profit railway.

Carl Nolan, Liverpool

We need a centrally-planned, efficiently-run railway again, run for the benefit of the people, and no more foreign-run franchises or shambles electrification projects.

Daniel McCarty, Sunderland

The ownership of the railways in the UK should be in government control not for private profit but run for the public and invested in by the government not private companies!

Lewis Davies, Bournemouth

Time to ring the changes and scrap the private companies.

Graham Weeden, Bedford

We are campaigning to restore the railway line to Marlborough.

Sam Page, Marlborough

I frequently use the East Coast line which is in public ownership and is an excellent service. We want more of the same.

Roy Fryer, Newark

No more fat cats. No more fare increases. Bring back nationalisation. Bring back British Rail.

Graham Mills, Birmingham