YESTERDAY (August 27) I travelled in either direction between Polmont and Glasgow Queen Street on the new Class 385 electric units being progressively introduced. I found it an enjoyable experience both in quality of the product and the performance. The ascent of the one-time fearsome Cowlairs incline passes in mere seconds.

What was particularly edifying in discussion with both onboard staff and an off-duty train driver at my destination was that they all expressed evident pride in the trains and were delighted to be associated with them. House-proud could be a term used and even extended to a chap bearing a mobile vacuum cleaner to take care of some errant crumbs on the carpeted floor. Woe betide the passenger who spills coffee ...

As a former railwayman myself, I was greatly taken by their enthusiasm and the pride of those who, fortunately, have not been discouraged by the disparaging remarks by one of your letter writers last week (August 24) on the whole aspect of ScotRail as being a "Toytown" railway. I am not surprised that such denigrating comments over the years have not been responded to by management.

Not everyone will ever be totally pleased with the railway "product" and valid complaints and criticism are acceptable and welcome. The system, in total, operates as best it can within the means it has at its disposal.

John Macnab,

175 Grahamsdyke Street, Laurieston, Falkirk.