Dore and Totley is an enigma. Do I understand correctly that it is mostly used as a shuttle to Sheffield and much less so to Manchester and beyond? If so, should the expresses perhaps not stop and be replaced by extending a Northern service from the north terminating at Sheffield to terminate at Dore instead, with the appropriate works to provide a bay platform?
You're right there! Until the Beeching era this station in the Eastern Region, although built by the Midland Railway, had a frequent service to and from Sheffield on two lines. The original mainline was to Derby and the Hope Valley route to Buxton and Manchester was opened for passengers in 1894. By 1903 the original 2 tracks into Sheffield had been extended to 4. Eastern closed all small stations between Sheffield and Derby about 1969. After an appeal to Barbara Castle, Transport Minister, Midland Region kept open the stations from Grindleford into Manchester. Eastern sem to have relented and kept Dore & Totley open, but demolished the footbridge to the southbound mainline platform to ensure nothing would be stopping there! By 1985 they'd reduced the tracks into Sheffield back to 2 and demolished 3 platforms at Dore and removed one track through the station.
During this period of downward spiral traffic from the station collapsed. Service was cut back to 2 hourly terminating at New Mills where a change was necessary for Manchester. Slowly it has dawned on the railway industry that there was demand for more services. Over the last 30 years gradual improvements have been made in the service for commuters - to Manchester! That has resulted in at least 2 tph at commuting times morning and evening, one fast, one slow.
Not so for 4 mile distant Sheffield. Although Northern operate a train every hour they're not all clock face and not all stop. In the evening out of Sheffield there's a gap of 2 hours 33 minutes. Taxi!
Surveys show that only 40% of commuters go that short hop towards Sheffield with 60% going west. The imbalance for return journeys must be greater.
Once the Hope Valley Capacity Improvement Scheme is complete (2022 maybe) more services can run and more will stop at Sheffield South West Parkway. That is the fear of local residents hemmed in by parked cars.
The plans include an apparent option for bi-directional working through the two platforms. That might allow a stopping service from north or east of Sheffield to run down to Dore and turn back there. Local rail users have suggested there may be room for a 3rd bay platform. Network Rail haven't spare cash for that so it would be down to TfN to arrange. At present they may be aware of that local idea but haven't shown any noticeable interest. Tram-train to Dore has been suggested too but may be unsuitable.
Dore station users can't help noticing that stations from New Mills into Piccadilly get a half hourly service. It takes at least half an hour from the Dore & Totley area into Sheffield by bumpy bus. If there were more trains they'd be used for a service taking 6 or 7 minutes.
With 40 catching the 6.14 for Manchester, and maybe 100 the 7.14, the biggest issue is lack of seats, then frequency and punctuality.
Incidentally, some think all 4 platforms at Dore should be reinstated. It may even have been costed. That would cause more rail traffic congestion and major car parking conflicts.
Much as I'd like to catch a tain for London, Edinburgh or Penzance from my local station I don't think it would be cost or operationally effective.