“I don’t think I’ve seen it this busy in years,” said Liam, a customer service specialist struggling to deal with a growing line of tired customers onboard the 7am Avanti West Coast service from Manchester to London.

They were made more agitated by the news that the microwave was broken and bacon sandwiches were off the menu. “I don’t think there’s been this many people on the 7am since before Covid,” said the beleaguered staff member.

It was only a few days ago that the Guardian revealed the service was to become a “ghost train” – devoid of passengers but still crewed and running at high speed from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston by way of Stockport in under two hours. The rail regulator had decided to axe one of Britain’s fastest and most lucrative intercity services as par

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