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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Simon Calder

The story behind the ‘ghost train that never was’ from Manchester to London

How’s this for a station announcement? “The train at platform five is the 7am express from Manchester Piccadilly via Stockport to London Euston – but passengers cannot travel on this service.”

That was the plan from 15 December: the fastest train on the route between Manchester and London would run as normal, but the only people allowed on board would be Avanti West Coast staff.

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