TILTING trains travelling at 125mph? Wonderful - but try your local rail network and it's a different story.

One day last week I decided to take the train to Blackburn.

The indicator board in the station entrance hall wasn't working so I couldn't be sure which platform my train would be on.

You've two choices so I guessed and went to the farthest platform. Again the indicator board wasn't working. I asked a young lady if I was on the correct platform for the Manchester train, she said she thought it was the other platform.

Luckily a young man heard my question and confirmed that my train would be following on behind the one he was waiting for.

When I commented about the indicator boards he told me that they've been out of action for several weeks.

Why is our rail system so chaotic? Why can't there be more coaches on crowded trains like the Manchester Airport Service? Why can't indicator boards function as they should and why, at Blackburn station, do you have to climb a steep ramp to get to the ticket office on one platform before retracing your steps and climbing another steep slope to catch your train?

Modernisation? I don't think so.

EILEEN EASTHAM, Darwen.