Diversion routes that merit schedules passenger service

[deltic08]

Newcastle – Durham – York – Sheffield – Manchester Piccadilly then down the WCML via Newton-le-Willows doesn't reverse but would probably cause more delays than a lot of routes which would.

How about Newcastle-York-Leeds or Doncaster-Sheffield-Erewash Valley-Leicester-Bedford-Bletchley-Euston? No reversing .

 

[AlastairFraser]

A half hourly Stockport-Manchester Victoria service via Denton with a couple of new stations would be useful. Not likely to be feasible before HS2 2B (or whatever it's called now), but after it would be well worth considering.

The tram - train project from Stockport to Stalybridge and an interchange at Stalybridge would probably have a relatively similar journey time (with the local benefits too).