The idea that essential national infrastructure should be owned by publicly unaccountable overseas private organisations is absurd on a fundamental level.

Phillip Bevin, Surbiton

The rail system is a national asset, and far too important to be in private hands.

Camilla Boon, Chalford

Bring back British Railways. Everyone is being ripped off over rail fares today.

Mathew Smith, Kidderminster

Bring back British Rail.

Randall Sinclair, Wolverhampton

I strongly believe in public ownership of the railways.

Ann Petrie, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

For passengers not profiteers!

Stuart Terry, Peterborough

The theft that was their nationalisation continues to rob us daily. This must end.

Richard Keel, Glasgow

I worked for British Rail until privatisation and did not realise how lucky I was to have what turned out to be good honest managers and colleagues, which came to an end.

Leslie Simpson, Edinburgh

All public services should be in public hands, Transport, Utilities, Healthcare and the Postal service.

Andrew Kaye, Leeds

They’re still using ex-BR Mark III coaches, ‘cascaded’ from West Coast mainline. Last week, no light, no heat in coach D. Terrible service. Bring back BR.

Will Steeds, Colchester

Train prices are a robbery, and the increases just don’t stop. Hugely unaffordable, an hour on the train should cost an hour of minimum wage.

Alexis Parrinder-Nicholls, London

142 Pacers would have been replaced long ago under a nationalised railway system, not cascaded down. The stock in the South of England is so superior to that in the North.

Alan Glover, Hexham

The East Coast line seems to be running much better now it’s government run. Public transport should serve the public, not shareholders.

Sophia Hale-Sutton, Edinburgh

Out with the miserable, gouging private sector vampires – Atos, Serco and G4S are a disgrace too. Get rid of them all.

Nick Haeffner, London

The punctuality rate British Rail achieved in its last year (about 90%) was not matched by the privatised industry for about 15 years, despite the public investment.

Matthew Milnes, Bingley

I support a unified, nationalised rail network for the UK, run as a public service, not for private shareholder profit.

Dean Williams, Stevenage

It would benefit everyone involved and would improve the rail network and services in general.

Thomas Wilkinson, Preston

Common sense and sensibility.

Tracey Tofield, Whitley Bay

Privatisation has failed, tax payers pay more subsidies to give private companies more profit.

David Sherwood, Northwich

I would love to travel somewhere (anywhere) on a train again but the so-called discounts don’t actually exist for OAP day-trippers as fares are still too high.

Nick Callow, Midsomer Norton

I rarely use trains since it took 7 hours to go from Chester to Doncaster. After that journey I purchased a motorcycle and never looked back.

Neil Harness, Weston Super Mare

I totally agree with you. Bring back British Rail and dismantle Southern Railway. I am a regular commuter on the West Coast way and it is a disgraceful line.

Daniel De Conceicao Silva, Worthing

When the East Coast line went back into public ownership it made money, so return all lines to the public sector to save us taxpayers making a few shareholders rich.

Len Smith, Shirebrook

Bring the railway back into the control of the people.

Callum McPhee, Campbeltown

Italy has not learned the lesson. It is making the same mistake. I hope Britain understands that its railway system is a national treasure. Bring back British Rail.

Stefano Giussani, Lecco, Italy

I have mourned the death of the public service that was British Rail since it happened. It made no sense to break up the railways.

Sue Kelly, Edinburgh

A properly-run rail network is essential to the economy of this country.

David Roberts, Stockport