YORK knows all about the pain of rail privatisation.

First it saw its historic British Rail carriageworks sold to a foreign company, with many jobs lost in the process.

Then ABB closed down the works completely because orders dried up because of the chaos brought about by a mismanaged sell-off of the railways.

The creation of competing railway companies took more jobs from York, as TransPennine Express moved to Leeds, Arriva went west and Railtrack went out of business.

After years of damaging uncertainty, GNER won its battle to retain the East Coast franchise, but the £1.3 billion it must pay the Government has led to fears that more jobs will go.

So yes, York is well aware of the cost of that bodged rail privatisation. Nevertheless, we are not supporting the Rail Maritime and Transport's demand for re-nationalisation. The union's election march came to York yesterday, pointing out that increased public subsidies were going to the railways while the "fat cats" pocketed millions.

There is some truth in these arguments. It is also undeniable, however, that the railways are in their best shape since they left public ownership.

The discredited Railtrack has gone. Some of the worst train operators have lost their licences. There are, finally, signs of stability and long-term investment. To cause another upheaval now with a programme of re-nationalisation is the last thing rail workers and passengers need.

That particular train has left the station.

Updated: 11:20 Thursday, April 21, 2005