tbtc
Veteran Member
I think it would be a good idea. Don't forget, the Hope Valley is already pretty busy, and that route is quite roundabout.
Only Matlock - Buxton would give all the benefits of:
An additional Inter-City Route between London and Manchester, better inter-regional links between the East Midlands and the North West and better local connectivity between Derby, Bakewell and Buxton
The route from Matlock to Stockport wouldn't actually serve Buxton though (without a lot of expense, and a bit of doubling back).
And since there are no Inter-City services (just) between London and Derby then would your London - Manchester planned service be an additional service from London to Derby, or involve reducing one of Sheffield's services to the capital?