Nantwich and Norton Bridge
Norton Bridge and Crewe
Norton Bridge and Sandbach
Norton Bridge and Winsford
Norton Bridge and Stone
Nantwich and Winsford
Nantwich and Sandbach
Sandbach and Northwich
Sandbach and Greenbank
Rugeley TV and Burton
Rugeley TV and Market Harborough
Rugeley TV and South Wigston
Burton and Market Harborough
Burton and South Wigston
Lee and Grove Park
Wigan NW and Patricroft
Ashburys and Manchester Victoria
Ashburys and Moston
Ashburys and Ashton
Moston and Ashton
Frome and Pewsey
Bruton and Pewsey
Pewsey and Trowbridge
If you allow Brixton and Denmark Hill then why not:
Stone and Rugeley TV
if not then:
Barlaston and Rugeley TV
and if still not:
Stoke and Rugeley TV.
The complete list is, I suspect, very lengthy.
As almost always with these trivial questions a few definitions would do no harm. I have adopted the following definitions (probably incomplete):
1. Two stations are next to each other if it is possible to travel from one to the other (in either direction) without passing through another station.
2. Passing through another station occurs if either a platform road or a line, without a platform on a very similar (further definition required) alignment is used.
3. A route using an avoiding line (e.g. Westbury avoiding line) or a distinct alternative alignment (e.g. Crewe Independent Lines) not meeting the criteria of definition 2 (above) enables the intermediate station to be ignored for the purposes of defining whether other stations are next to each other.
4. No reversal of direction of travel permitted between departure from one station and arrival at the next.
Frankly I don't see why anyone other that the Opening Poster should have to set out definitions.
I hope that whoever asked the question has a MODEL ANSWER otherwise this will be a leading contender for the worst thought out trivial question of recent times (and the competition is strong).
Anyway have fun.
