The OP stated "2 stations on the same line" (my emboldening).
I don't think Exmouth to Starcross, or Weston to Cardiff, or most other estuaries, really meet that criterion.
OK, but if you use that criterion, then Penzance and Aberdeen (or, for more trains per day, say Pwllheli and Bham International) are "on the same line".Both these pairs are served by the same service though.
The OP did specify two stations.Waterloo to Waterloo
Cannon Street to Cannon Street
St Pancras to St Pancras
then Vauxhall to Queenstown Road (Battersea)The OP did specify two stations.
If you're talking about the Hounslow Loop, they stop at Queenstown Road 1 stop after Vauxhall. Thus, the 2nd time doesn't count.then Vauxhall to Queenstown Road (Battersea)
If a different branch, like that, counts - then Enfield Town to Enfield Chase...Coryton to Radyr. 0.7 miles walk through a park, ten miles by train
The OP did specify two stations.
Earlsfield to Wandsworth Town
Barnes Bridge to Mortlake
Waterloo to Waterloo
If a different branch, like that, counts - then Enfield Town to Enfield Chase...
Huddersfield to Sheffield is worse, 27 miles by road (via the A629) and something like 41 by rail with the dogleg to Barnsley.Halifax to Huddersfield is 7 miles by road and 11 miles by rail
OK, but if you use that criterion, then Penzance and Aberdeen (or, for more trains per day, say Pwllheli and Bham International) are "on the same line".
Of course it's up to the OP how he wants to define it, and from post 29 I think he agrees with you not me
If you're talking about the Hounslow Loop, they stop at Queenstown Road 1 stop after Vauxhall. Thus, the 2nd time doesn't count.
If you're talking about the Kingston Loop services, they start on the SWML. Queenstown Road isn't on the SWML (it's on the Windsor Line). So, that doesn't count either.
Although you can get a direct train from Coryton to Radyr, you can't get a direct train between those Enfield stations
South shields to North Shields
If we're counting light rail - then this might be the winner indeed. 1km as the crow flies, 29km by rail (38km if you don't change at Monument!)
Was thinking Blackfriars to Farringdon via the Circle line - it's almost exactly 1km as the crow flies, no idea how far via the Circle Line (longer via S Ken obviously, but you can't do that without changing these days at Edgware Rd).
EDIT: 5.47km via Aldgate
46 chains shortest possible route by rail, with reversals. 4 miles 56 chains by an actual service train. The train from Pollockshields West to Central actually passes by Pollockshields East on a line with no platforms, and joins the line at a junction just past the station.Pollokshields east to/from Pollokshields west are only a couple of hundred metres apart but you need to go nearly the full length of the Cathcart circle to get from one t'other. Or go in and back out of Glasgow Central.
Gravesend to Ebbsfleet on the roundabout Javelin via Ramsgate + Ashford?
2.5 mile walk while the train does 130-odd miles
That's an impressive one! I wonder if an Ebbsfleet to Gravesend ticket would be valid on that long route - since it's obviously absurd to do it that way, but on the other hand it is a direct train.
They most certainly are - and have direct services between them. The trains do not have to reverse either.The OP stated "2 stations on the same line" (my emboldening).
I don't think Exmouth to Starcross, or Weston to Cardiff, or most other estuaries, really meet that criterion.
They most certainly are - and have direct services between them. The trains do not have to reverse either.
London Underground
Hammersmith and stations to Paddington (Bishops Bridge Road) inclusive - Bayswater.
The Circle Line calls at Edgware Road after Paddington, then continues via Baker Street, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Tower Hill, Victoria, and High Street Kensington.
By the time you have gone the long way round the loop on a direct train, it is quicker to either walk from Paddington or change to a via High Street Kensington Circle or Wimbledon District.
Also Paddington Bishops Bridge Road to Paddington Praed Street on the Circle. Again, it is simpler and quicker to exit the Bishops Bridge Road platforms and walk through the mainline station to Praed Street.