SIR — I have been a volunteer on the West Somerset Railway for 34 years, since I was 16. I usually volunteer as a signalman in one of our five historic signal boxes.

I have, in that time, been chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, the supporters' organisation, and a director of the West Somerset Railway plc, the operating company.

Somerset County Council has been a good landlord and it is a pity that a feature of the modern way of council management is asset disposal, but we are where we are.

It is obvious than no decision should be taken hastily, without proper thought and public consultation.

There are two real contenders to take on the freehold. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

Transfer to the WSR plc might be a little simpler as far as the paperwork goes. The downside with the plc is that it is a trading company, answerable to its shareholders, and subject to the risks and pressures inherent in a trading company.

The other contender is the WSRA, who saved the line in the first place. The WSRA's big advantage is that it is a registered charity and so ownership of the line, if held by a charity, would undoubtedly be better protected for the future.

There has been some unfortunate scaremongering about the railway shutting were anything other than selling the freehold to the plc to be contemplated.

Firstly, there are a number of solutions to ensure that such legal foibles do not get in the way of the railway continuing to run.

In my working life I am a lawyer, and good lawyers find practical and sensible solutions to such difficulties. The law is, actually, rarely "an ass".

Secondly, I want a solution which safeguards "our" railway for the next 34 years and having it in the hands of a charity is much, much more secure.

If the best argument for the plc is avoiding short-term difficulties then that is a poor basis to make long-term decisions.

At the moment, my vote is for the line to be passed to the WSRA, but let's talk it out (without silly scaremongering) and make sure we get it right.

Oh, and do come for a ride now the railway is open again for the 2014 season. It's a wonderful ride, great scenery, amazing nostalgia, super- friendly staff, fabulous steam locos and lots to do at and around the stations along the way!

Robin White,