Trivia: Physically connected neighbouring train stations with no regular direct train service.

[JKF]

Patchway and Bristol Parkway.

I think I recall local trains to South Wales back in the 80s that would do a reversal at Parkway. Not sure when that stopped. I was also once on one from Bristol to STJ that reversed at Filton West Jn but that wasn’t planned.

 

[The exile]

I think I recall local trains to South Wales back in the 80s that would do a reversal at Parkway. Not sure when that stopped. I was also once on one from Bristol to STJ that reversed at Filton West Jn but that wasn’t planned.

The last train on Saturdays in the very late 80s was a DMU that did that. Don’t think it stopped at Patchway, though (not much did!)

 

[SparkieLover]

Clapton-Tottenham Hale

 

[CPG]

St Andrew’s Road to Filton Abbey Wood

St Andrew’s Road to Bristol Parkway

St Andrew’s Road to Patchway

 

[NSEWonderer]

Catford and Catford Bridge which is I believe the shortest physical distance between two nearby stations yet no direct service linking each other

 

[Krystal]

Catford and Catford Bridge which is I believe the shortest physical distance between two nearby stations yet no direct service linking each other

They're not physically linked by track though.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

They're not physically linked by track though.

Five mile rail journey between Catford and Catford Bridge (via Lewisham apparently - but are any reversals required however)?

 

[Krystal]

Five mile rail journey between Catford and Catford Bridge (via Lewisham apparently - but are any reversals required however)?

That won't make it neighbouring. Neighbouring means it's a next station on that line, not literally neighbouring above ground. If we go by that logic then there's no direct train service between Waterloo and Victoria; you have to reverse somewhere.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

That won't make it neighbouring. Neighbouring means it's a next station on that line, not literally neighbouring above ground. If we go by that logic then there's no direct train service between Waterloo and Victoria; you have to reverse somewhere.

Concur that you can't travel by rail from Catford to Catford Bridge by the shortest distance by rail without a reversal AND without passing through a number of intermediate stations inbetween.

 

[Ianigsy]

Kirkstall Forge and Guiseley - it can vary from year to year, but at the moment the KF calls are all provided by trains going to or from Bradford or Skipton.

 

[Krystal]

Crouch Hill and Alexandra Palace - you can't access platforms at HGY or HRN from Crouch Hill so it has to be AAP.

 

[scrapy]

..

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L07953/2026-03-30/detailed#allox_id=0 calls at both Newton-le-Willows & Wigan North Western

Although nothing calls at both Patricroft & Wigan, the evening peak extras only call at Eccles

You can however add

Bryn to Patricroft
Bryn to Newton-le-Willows
Bryn to Warrington BQ

 

[trentside]

Ulceby and Barnetby are connected with no passenger services using the west side of the triangle at Brocklesby. Anyone wanting to make that journey has to change at Habrough.

 

[DC21]

Lockerbie - Carstairs
Holytown - Wishaw
Uddingston - Newton

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Lockerbie - Carstairs

Fairly sure there's a (TPE operated) midweek departure daily at 0709 from Lockerbie. Calls 0742 at Carstairs. Northbound only.

 

[VT 390]

Fairly sure there's a (TPE operated) midweek departure daily at 0709 from Lockerbie. Calls 0742 at Carstairs. Northbound only.

There is, its 1S30 the first Manchester to Glasgow of the day which I believe calls at Carstairs to provide a connection to Edinburgh.

 

[D365]

Crouch Hill and Alexandra Palace - you can't access platforms at HGY or HRN from Crouch Hill so it has to be AAP.

But there aren't any passenger services operating between Crouch Hill (Gospel Oak - Barking route) and the Great Northern route stations.

 

[Kite159]

But there aren't any passenger services operating between Crouch Hill (Gospel Oak - Barking route) and the Great Northern route stations.

Same can be said for many other examples within this thread.

----

Why on earth did I think the evening Carstairs terminator from the low level platforms at Glasgow Central called at Holytown heading towards Wishaw

 

[norbitonflyer]

Same can be said for many other examples within this thread.

----

Why on earth did I think the evening Carstairs terminator from the low level platforms at Glasgow Central called at Holytown heading towards Wishaw

It doesn't. But the 0739 Carstairs to Garscadden does call at both Wishaw and Holytown

Do the two Newark stations count? There are two services that call at both (at 0550 and 2334 (the latter SX) from Northgate to Castle, none in the other direction or on Sundays), with a reversal at Newark Crossing East Junction

 

[izvor]

Three replies for Sandwich to Minster but not noticed one for the more obvious Sandwich to Thanet Parkway. Can only see one train (M-F) in the down direction and 4 or 5 in the up.

 

[JW4]

Sankey for Penketh and Warrington West?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Sankey for Penketh and Warrington West?

There's one daily afternoon service (SuX) that calls at both these stations and another (morning) train in the reverse direction also.

 

[Sheridan]

Bache and Shotton
Bache and Wrexham

 

[milooo]

Could you say Ashford In't to Calais?

 

[Lockwood]

I was going to say Waterloo and Waterloo East - they are neighbouring, they are physically connected, but the latter clarification on them having to be physically connected by track ruins pedantry corner

 

[SECR 65]

There are few (in relation to the regular 2tph service) trains which call at both Plumpton and Cooksbridge. They all call at both on 1tph Sundays.

I appreciate that this does not exactly qualify for the thread but I feel it is an interesting 'type' of service pattern for this thread.

There must be other examples where alternate trains call at alternate lightly-used stations.

 

[Western Sunset]

I was going to say Waterloo and Waterloo East - they are neighbouring, they are physically connected, but the latter clarification on them having to be physically connected by track ruins pedantry corner

Once upon a time they were...

 

[JRT]

Kirkstall Forge and Guiseley - it can vary from year to year, but at the moment the KF calls are all provided by trains going to or from Bradford or Skipton.

Originally alternate Leeds – Ilkley trains called at KLF but I think it was deemed that Leeds – Shipley provided a better all-round service (connection at Shipley for Guiseley).

 

[Harpo]

Bromsgrove and Worcestershire Parkway.

Two adjacent stations between Cheltenham and Birmingham with no trains at all calling at Bromsgrove to/from the Cheltenham direction.

For fun, try Bromsgrove to Swindon in journey planners. 3 hour options via Birmingham, Banbury and Reading will often appear for a journey that’s just over an hour to drive.

 

[BeijingDave]

Bache and Shotton
Bache and Wrexham

Almost anything from the self-contained Merseyrail network to outside, really.

Although Bache to either of these would require a reversal, so it would be unlikely there would be a service even if Merseyrail weren't such a self-contained network.

I doubt (although may be corrected) that there was a Hooton-Wrexham or north Wales service before the Merseyrail services moved down to Chester.