These days I am not a regular train user, but I did journey to London last October and I was very impressed with the service from East Midland Trains. The train was on time leaving Sheffield and arriving in London. The carriage was clean inside and out and was using modern electronic facilities such as reserved seat information.

I remember the days before privatisation, when it was British Railways. Sheffield was always the poor relation when it came to rolling stock, it was for ever dirty inside and out. When it came to punctuality, well in never did, trains were never on time.

This was due to lack or no funding, common in those days within a nationalised industry and there being no competition.

I know not all privatised companies offer the same in efficiencies, but I am sure none can be as bad as British Railways.

Yes, there was excitement in seeing all the steam locomotives, but excitement is not sufficient, all enterprises need to be run effectively and efficiently, otherwise there is no point in having them.

This means all enterprises need to take advantage of new technology and listen to their customers, who should be their prime consideration.

Time does not stand still and whether you want to or not, you have to move with the times or you will not exist for long.