Yes, exactly; when I went to school through Stockport 1973-1980 all the long-distance trains were set down/pick up only at Stockport (and Wilmslow). But that was sensible, however in due course after privatisation Virgin worked out that if it removed the restriction it got a percentage of the Stockport-Manchester fare take, so the restrictions were all removed.
For me it means that I can "officially" use long-distance trains from Wilmslow into Manchester so that's fine.