Proposals to reopen any of the lines closed by Dr Beeching are always said to be hugely expensive.

How is it, then, that private individuals along with teams of volunteers have managed, in their spare time, to re-lay, run and maintain narrow-gauge 27in lines for tourist steam trains? Diesel locomotives are available to buy today on this gauge. They are used the world over in mining operations and steel works.

Narrow-gauge trains are much lighter than conventional trains.

They run passenger services all over Sardinia. Our old Victorian bridges and viaducts would be under less pressure from narrow-gauge loads.

Could re-laying some Beeching lines using narrow-gauge be cheaper and affordable?

The track bed is almost always still there and, in some places, with sleepers as well – most of the job is already done for us.

Isn’t this a better way of relieving pressure on the rail network than spending the money on HS2?

Nigel F Boddy, former Brighton resident living in Darlington, Co Durham

What do you reckon? Email letters@theargus.co.uk