STEPHEN LEWIS’ interesting feature recalling the closure of the York (Bootham Junction) to Beverley (North Junction) railway line 50 years ago (The Press, November 27) serves as a reminder of the utter stupidity of the Ministry of Transport in allowing such a wanton act of railway vandalism to take place.

Of all the Dr Beeching-instigated passenger closures in the 1960s/early 1970s in the UK, this one was undoubtedly one of the most contentious, which subsequent generations have come to regret.

For the record; on the final day of passenger services on Saturday, November 27, 1965, the last train from Beverley to York was the 7.35pm Hull to York calling at all stations, which departed Beverley at 7.53pm.

It was steam hauled by class B1 No. 61306. The Press photo shows it ready to depart from Hull, and it would have passed through Fangfoss at about 8.27pm. The last train on the line was the six-car diesel multiple unit 9.45pm York to Hull. This arrived on time at Pocklington 10.06pm, passing Fangfoss approximately five minutes earlier.

Charles Allenby, West Close, Swinton, Malton