CCF suggests otherwise, took the liberty of having a play 'off patch' today. One Mk4 in a platform was all EC had there leaving plenty space to bring in a few, turf out and shunt if required. At least its a bit nearer where you want to be so quicker when it starts up again, one was held at Newcastle, two hours away from the incident. Whats the harm in getting people south, especially as they seemed to be turning very little round and kicking it back north.
But the 1655 was only 70' late into Kings Cross, so by the standards of the day, the passengers got off lightly. Had they been 'turfed out' at York, those wishing to go further South (the majority, I suspect), would then be looking to go across to Leeds and Sheffield on a packed Voyager (or worse).
In any event, the decision on where to hold trains would be made by the SSM in consultation with the Network Rail TRC who, supposedly, can see the bigger picture, more so than someone sat on a train at Darlington. The TOC's views on the matter would come a poor third. And remember at York you need to keep either platform 5 or '3 and 4' free to continue to run to Scarborough.
Do wonder what the point in having thunderbirds is when they are left to sit in a siding during such events, might be slower to drag round via Lincoln but at least its on the move, add a couple of HSTs in the mix aswell and no sign of anything even thinking about going round, do the EC crews still sign it?
I believe only the Doncaster based drivers sign via Gainsborough and Sleaford, so the chances of even one of them being in the right place on the day is negligible.
