The next station is...!

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Huyton

 

[clagmonster]

Whiston

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Rainhill

 

[Buttsy]

Lea Green

 

[clagmonster]

The ruling is there must be 'two or more different stations that can be reached from it, 'on separate lines'. The general understanding is that the two different stations must be the next stations on the lines, hence why Marylebone can be considered acceptable (Wembley Staduim on the Wycombe line and Harrow-on-the-Hill on the Amersham line) whereas Eastbourne should not be (Hampden Park whether heading towards Lewes or Hastings), nor would Paddington, Euston, Kings Cross, Waterloo, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Fenchurch Street and Moorgate.

I consider that the following 'terminal stations' (i.e. no through platform) are valid starting places, though I would appreciate Adtrainz confirmation of these: Bere Alston, Littlehampton, Brighton, London Victoria, Marylebone, Liverpool Street, Bourne End, Swansea, Carmarthen, Colchester Town, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Stansted Airport, Cromer, Hull, Hatfield, Glossop, Manchester Airport, Southport, Bradford Interchange, Morecambe, Battersby, Inverness and Fort William.

I would agree with this interpretation.
I would however, say that I think Paddington (possible moves to South Ruislip and Reading) fulfills the requirements of a starting station as it has moves to stations on different lines, as do possibly Kings Cross (I'm thinking fast Cambridge and fast York) and Fenchurch St if there is anything fast to a Tilbury Loop station.
Eastbourne is a valid start station, in my book at least, because it has fast services to both Polegate and Pevensey & Westham.

 

[FQ]

St Helens Junction

 

[Buttsy]

I would agree with this interpretation.
I would however, say that I think Paddington (possible moves to South Ruislip and Reading) fulfills the requirements of a starting station as it has moves to stations on different lines, as do possibly Kings Cross (I'm thinking fast Cambridge and fast York) and Fenchurch St if there is anything fast to a Tilbury Loop station.
Eastbourne is a valid start station, in my book at least, because it has fast services to both Polegate and Pevensey & Westham.

The only thing I would say is that if you use that criteria, then almost all termini are valid, with the possible expection of Charing Cross. I would say that any termini where the divergence of route is AFTER the first station out of that terminus (i.e. if you're on a train, you pass through or by the first station out), then it is not valid as a starting point.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Earlestown

 

[GatwickDepress]

Newton-le-Willows

 

[Buttsy]

Patricroft

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Eccles

 

[Buttsy]

MANCHESTER Victoria

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Moston

 

[Llama]

Mills Hill.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Castleton (Manchester)

 

[FQ]

Rochdale

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Smithy Bridge

 

[FQ]

Littleborough

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Walsden

 

[GatwickDepress]

Todmorden

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Hebden Bridge

 

[Buttsy]

Burnley Manchester Road

 

[GatwickDepress]

EDIT: 60 second post timer strikes again!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Burnley Manchester Road

Accrington
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EDIT: 60 second post timer strikes again!

I know exactly how you feel....

 

[Buttsy]

Church & Oswaldtwistle

 

[FQ]

Blackburn
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Rishton

 

[Strathclyder]

Blackburn

 

[Buttsy]

Mill Hill

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Cherry Tree

 

[Buttsy]

Pleasington