TPE do operate some overnight services from Manchester. However, I accept that there's places they usually serve with no overnight services such as Stalybridge and Warrington.
Dunno about lines east (Leeds?) and west of Manchester, but I do know the last train on a Saturday night (Sun AM) is a RRB at 12.30am northwards (Bolton, Preston, Blackpool only) and a train 00.16 other days (same stations).
This seems absurd - on a Sat night the RRB is packed, and even more so this weekend I presume. There must be money to be made on a Fri/Sat and bank hol Sun by running a train (RRB if necc) at 0016 and 0116 (0216?) calling at the above + Horwich, Chorley and Buckshaw?
And why doesn't the 0016 call at the intermediate stations - is the cost of opening the stations more than the money from the increased footfall?
I understand these are airport services which just happen to call at Piccadilly so the late-nighters use them.....but don't people at these intermediate stations want to go to the airport too?
Adds - I've never seen any trouble (drunks) on the 0030 RRB or on the Sat AM 0016 train....maybe I've been lucky (?) > never dis when we had trains at 0120 either.
Manchester; great party capital but without the infrastructure to get people home! Makes one wish we were London