I do understand and respect both of your posts' points.
However, money has to be a key part for any business. Any cut in money coming in can be pretty detrimental (not just to CEO bonuses) but to the services and quality of service provided.
I fully agree with reducing top leaders' bonuses etc. - however this is a finite resource to pump back into the companies.
I also agree with it being wrong that UK passengers are subsidising Deutsche Bahn, Govia, Keolis etc abroad. However this will probably not be a large percentage of the money earned; most going straight back into running costs or improvements.
Regarding the monopoly on the railways - the way I see it is that bidders who gained the franchises won them fair and square. If they also have other franchises, good play to them. I don't see the reasoning behind keeping them back from growth and expansion (like what the likes of Virgin want to do, and have done) just because they already have other business.
Regarding East Coast. Note this was a publically-owned operator which ran in a privatised industry. Yes it shows that money earned can go pretty much back into the railways, however it'd probably still be feeding some snotty-nosed specky man who works high up in Government first.
I don't believe the renationalisation will solve more problems; more so it will create more. It won't be a short-term solution for value for money (ie fares keeping/going down) with all of the work and payouts that will have to be made; nor will it be long-term as with the lack of competition and with George Osborne in charge of the kitty, we may see less maintenance and higher prices for the passengers and indeed taxpayer.
All above are my views btw.
RE: Trains