The basic core of the system (freight) was torn assunder by the modernisation & streamlining by getting rid of most of it, thus rendering a lot of lines unviable. Beeching wanted everything in block train loads, the pick-up freight trains which shunted wagons in & out of numerous sidings he wanted rid of. Once that was achieved, there was very little freight left & gave the road operators a field day. This was done to save money, but if you take into account the present heavily subsidised road system due to over-use by big, heavy lorries & what this is costing in social terms, there can not have been any saving. All those numerous sidings gave the railway system great accessibilty, flexibility & competetiveness which has been lost. A modern system should be run with discipline to counteract the old chestnut that the old pick-up freight was inefficient, it was - but only because of poor discipline in running a reliable service to the customer. I know it would cost money, but it would be a far better system than what we have at present with congested roads loaded with intimidating juggernauts! No new factories/warehouses/industrial units should be given planning permission without rail access.