SIR - The T&A reports (August 15) that Northern Rail is one of the least trusted of the train companies. Whilst there are no doubt good reasons for this, it has to be said that the company has not been dealt the best of hands.

The franchise awarded to the company was on a no-growth basis which, looking back, was obviously a nonsense. Further, they have been obliged to operate with much rolling stock that should have been scrapped years ago.

Bearing all this in mind, together with the vast size of its network,it must surely be said that they have tried their best within the constraints given to the company.

We have to hope that the Department for Transport, when agreeing the new franchise, will agree to the sort of enhancements to stock and stations, etc, that are long overdue. In view of what we have all had to put up with there should be no question of substantially increased fares, booking office closures and service reductions within any new agreement.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon