Dave wrote:"public freight services"
So that's just DRS then, and other than the Flasks and a few container trains, they don't appear to have a lot of (freight) work.
Chris wrote:I don't know the specifics but from my understanding nationalisation would only be bringing in passenger services?
As far as I can tell, Labour have never said "renationalise the passenger railways", they appear to only be saying "renationalise the railways", which to me would indicate the whole lot, including freight services. Of course, your general member of the public isn't going to know the situation with all the freight traffic, and isn't likely to care, having the opinion of "Oh, it can all go on the roads", not realising how much extra traffic that would put on the roads.
Another one, how would they go about bringing Open Access operators under the nationalised banner? Hull Trains have access rights until 2029, whilst Grand Central have them until 2026 (2028 for their new Blackpool - Euston service). I imagine you can't just turn around and ban them from operating? Also, I imagine the Competitions Commission would have a field day with a nationalised railway (if, of course, they were allowed to, however, I imagine rules are different if it's the Government doing it).