Caught the tail end of a programme on BBC Parliament earlier (it may be on i-player, haven't checked - 20:10 - 20.55), primarily about Dr Beeching, but it also focused on the investment made by successive Governments since then, both in the nationalised and privatised sector.

It didn't really throw any new light or inform the audience about any new revelations, but it was interesting.

It just got me thinking, was Beeching right? Was he shortsighted? Why have successive Governments barely touched the railway infrastructure since in the way of funding? Why since privatisation, has there been a massive increase in subsidies and also investment in the system - not like anything seen before?

Any thoughts or ideas?