Sir – I am an infrequent rail traveller and it was with considerable apprehension that I planned to go from Charlbury to Edinburgh on the Wednesday before Christmas and return on the Sunday after.

However I am pleased to record that the trains were on time, or at least only a few minutes late despite a blizzard between Edinburgh and Carlisle on the return journey. All connections were made as planned. Four different rail companies were involved. Was I lucky, or are train services not as bad as some would have us believe?

John Biggs. Charlbury