FOR 90 minutes last night, a senior Railtrack executive was grilled by concerned travellers via the Evening Press Internet site. Thanks to pertinent and diverse questions from readers, and considered replies by Robin Gisby, it proved to be an enlightening exercise.

Putting readers a keystroke away from important public figures such as Mr Gisby is one of the most exciting applications of the Net. This was the cyberspace equivalent of a meeting in a public hall, only more orderly and less draughty.

Any discussion works best when the interviewee is as forthright as Mr Gisby. His willingness to engage with train travellers has moved the rail debate forward.

Updated: 12:06 Wednesday, January 24, 2001