Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody and her old-style nationalising friends are rejoicing at the collapse of Railtrack.

iGreens will not be joining them.

Passenger numbers and rail freight, which had been falling steadily for most of the period of nationalisation, both started to increase with privatisation in 1996. They were rising steadily until the panic over the Hatfield accident last year.  Judged by their behaviour, people preferred private railways, and the environment benefited too.

We fear that either renationalisation or the creation of a non-profit rail organisation will return the industry to long term decline. Since most of those who decide not to travel by rail will go by car or plane instead, the environmental consequences will be bad.