The loss of the Northern Rail franchise is another nail in the coffin of Britain’s trains

Privatised companies have massively increased train journey numbers, but never won over passengers, writes Andrew Woodcock

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The decision to take Northern Rail back into public control is another nail in the coffin of a franchising system which has had few fans since its introduction when the railways were privatised by John Major in the 1990s.

Major dreamt of the return of the golden days of the Big Four regional operators like Great Western – nicknamed God’s Wonderful Railway, with its chocolate and cream livery – and LNER, which were held in genuine public affection before being merged into British Rail in 1948.

Instead, his system produced a litany of gripes about fat-cat bosses taking generous salaries for presiding over crowded carriages, elderly rolling stock and oft-delayed trains while raking in subsidies from the state.