SIR — In her letter 'Let's talk About It' (Free Press February 21), Robin White draws attention to the current discussion among supporters of the West Somerset Railway, and others, about the plans by the county council to dispose of the freehold of the railway property.

There are two bidders to take this over – the current operators of the railway (West Somerset Railway PLC), and the supporters group (the West Somerset Railway Association or WSRA).

As she says, Robin has supported the railway for many years. She and many others give up their time, energy – and money – to keep the railway operating for the benefit of all, including the West Somerset economy.

We are pleased to do this, which is why many of us – like Robin and me – have been doing it for 30 years or more.

But over that period we have all seen that times have changed.

At the beginning, the railway only survived due to the efforts of the many people who took up all sorts of amateur roles.

Today the railway is a serious commercial enterprise, making a major contribution to the local economy.

The railway has to comply with all the rules and regulations set by the Office of Rail Regulation. It has numerous full-time paid staff, and from now through to next Christmas it will carry hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers.

But it doesn't make a profit, the shareholders expect (and receive) no dividend, and it can only operate because of the enormous pool of experienced and qualified volunteers.

Over the years, the association has played a valuable role – and hopefully will continue to do so in the years ahead.

But, quite frankly, it is no longer capable of running a multi-million pound heritage railway.

I am a member of the association and there is no evidence it could possibly succeed in being the "landlord" in the way it has proposed.

The county council have set out safeguards to ensure that the PLC (or any other freeholder) could not sell off parts of the railway. The not for profit status of the West Somerset Railway PLC is enshrined legally in its Articles.

This is why in the last week over 225 active volunteers have signed a petition to Somerset County Council asking them to reject the bid of the association and accept the bid of the West Somerset Railway PLC.

Frank Courtney,

Awdry Close,

Chippenham.