IT WAS of interest, when reading the BFP, the sharp increase in rail fares between Beaconsfield and London Marylebone, an extra £156, costing £2,736 a year.

On demob, I applied for a refresher course in Letterpress Printing, as a Printing Machine Manager in 1948. Though you were entitled to only a month’s course, the manager at the labour exchange knew that I had turned down a deferment to stay in civvy street, and he rewarded me with a six month course at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts in the letterpress machine room, now a university.

At Wycombe Railway Station, we had four workmen’s trains from 6am, until the last one at 7.10am. It was always on time and if early would wait outside the station and pull in.

Have we progressed in rail travel, Mr Editor?

It cost me one shilling, six and a half pennies in old money, return. After crossing London, I would walk into Camberwell College every morning at ten minutes to nine, never late. On the return journey, leaving evening classes at 8.45pm, I would walk down Castle Street at 10.25pm.

Later at night, thick fog, no buses, catch a train instead, and I still got home at the same time!

I did this on a printing journeyman’s grade rate of £4.18 shillings a week, and still had money over for board, and a night out on Saturday with the lads.

Nationalisation of rail travel after the war broke the service.

I’ve experienced after the war travelling to London daily, costing one shilling, six and a half pennies return, any time of the day.

This country has gone backwards since the wars ended, not forward.

Rex Pawley, Chestnut Lane, Hazlemere