Sir – I take it all back (Mr Farr’s letter complimenting the railways’ trolley service, February 2). My wife and I recently travelled to Paddington on First Great Western, and there was an innovation in the trolley service: porridge was available.

Enquiries revealed that the trolley carried a pack, illustrated with a picture of a person wearing a strange hat.

Apparently, the trolley serveuse had only to mix the contents with hot water and….hey presto! Since we were heading for a superb Malaysian lunch in London, we reluctantly declined, wishing it not to be overshadowed.

It is certainly true that such delicacies are not available on the TGV services in France.

Nigel Clarke, Oxford