Train of thought
News of the shocking knife attack on passengers travelling yesterday on an LNER London-bound train had added resonance for me as it's a service I often use to visit family and friends in the North. I've always had a soft spot for LNER, which took over as 'Operator of Last Resort' in 2018 when Virgin Trains hit the buffers after three years of having started running the East Coast franchise in 2015 as part of the Tories' disastrous rail privatisation programme. Efficiency undoubtedly suffered under Virgin - and the fact that the company has just been granted permission to operate a rival service to Eurostar on HS1 certainly doesn't inspire confidence - but the staff now transferred to LNER, unfailingly friendly and efficient throughout these commercial upheavals, are now shown not only to be dedicated but also very brave. Having handled an appalling situation, calmly and professionally by all accounts, I would hope that, as well as public recognition, they also r...