IF there is one shining light to be found among the gloom and despondency caused by the near collapse of the region's railway system, it is in the inquiry office at York station.

Not only do the staff have to cope with the backlog of delays and cancellations caused by Railtrack, but now the almost complete shut down of the railway lines going through Leeds during the Christmas and New Year period - the busiest time of the year for travellers.

Of course the real problem is the fragmentation of the system and the divorce of Railtrack from the customers so that they remain as faceless bureaucrats.

Imagine our old friend BR doing this to us, there really would have been a public outcry. Fortunately, York's inquiry office team, although at the sharp end, are friendly, cheerful and deserve our grateful thanks.

Richard O Whiting,

Redman Close,

Fulford, York.