The whole report gives interesting background into why they can end up with a situation where it is just easier to leave the token service in place. In this example trains still run over the route, because SN need the route knowledge. London Travelwatch didn't appear to get their heads round that in their response to the consultation, repeatedly stating their misunderstanding that the route would be closed, rather than the service would be ended.
There lies an argument. Is it the service or the line which is statutorily protected. Or which ought to be protected? A train service could run between station A and station B by two different routes. If one service is stopped and the other increased by the same number of trains to compensate, has a service been removed? From an enthusiast point of view, the chance to 'get that line' is lost, but for the ordinary passenger there is no real loss - providing the routes are much the same length.
Many years ago, when BR still ran holidaymaker trains, closure notices were published for the short curve at Hull (West Parade Junction to Anlaby Road Junction) which allowed direct working from Yorkshire industrial heartlands to the Yorkshire coast on summer Saturdays. Personally I think the loss of the through service is more important than the loss of a short curve - in future requiring a few extra minutes for reversal in Hull station.
The following is my list of little served stations, based on the Summer 2014 timetable so it may need updating.
Station - Service level trains per week
Newhaven Marine - No service - 0
Weymouth Quay - No service - 0
Barlaston - Bus replacement - 0
Norton Bridge - Bus replacement - 0
Wedgwood - Bus replacement - 0
Reddish South - 1 per week (Friday) in one direction only - 1
Denton - 1 per week (Friday) in one direction only - 1
Bordesley - 1 per week (Saturday) in one direction only - 1
Pilning - 1 per week (Saturday) in both directions - 2
Tees-side Airport - 1 per week (Sunday) in both directions - 2
Polesworth - 1 per day (M-S) in one direction only - 6
Brigg - 3 per day (S) in both directions - 6
Gainsborough Central - 3 per day (S) in both directions - 6
Kirton Lindsay - 3 per day (S) in both directions - 6
Shippea Hill - 1 per day (M-F) in one direction, 1 in both directions on Saturday - 7
Lakenheath - 2 trains on Saturday, 7 trains on Sunday - 9
Buckenham - 2 trains on Saturday, 8 trains on Sunday - 10
Combe - 1 per day (M-F) in both directions - 10
Finstock - 1 per day (M-F) in both directions - 10
Ascott-under-Wychwood - per day (M-F) in both directions - 10
British Steel Redcar - 1 per day (M-F) in both directions, 1 on Saturday in one direction only - 11
Balmossie - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions - 12
Barry Links - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions - 12
Breich - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions - 12
Clifton - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions - 12
Elton & Orton - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions - 12
Golf Street - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions - 12
Heysham Harbour - 1 per day (M-S) in both directions,
2 (Su) - 16
Spooner Row - 2 per day (M-F) to Norwich, 1 per day (M-F) to Cambridge, 1 each way on Saturday - 17
Rawcliffe - 2 per day (M-S) to Leeds, 1 per day (M-S) to Goole - 18
Snaith - 2 per day (M-S) to Leeds, 1 per day (M-S) to Goole - 18
Hensall - 2 per day (M-S) to Leeds, 1 per day (M-S) to Goole - 18
Whitley Bridge - 2 per day (M-S) to Leeds, 1 per day (M-S) to Goole - 18
Ardwick - 2 per day (M-F) in both directions - 20
Havenhouse - 2 per day (S) in both directions - 24
Thorpe Culvert - 2 per day (S) in both directions - 24
Hubberts Bridge - 2 per day (M-S) in both directions - 24
Eastrington - 5 per day (M-S) combined - 30
Salwick - 3 per day (M-F) in both directions, 5 combined (S) - 35
Wressle - 3 per day (M-S) in both directions - 36
Rauceby - 3 per day (M-S) in both directions - 36
Pegswood - 3 per day (M-S) combined - 18
Widdrington - 3 per day (M-S) combined - 18
Acklington - 3 per day (M-S) combined - 18
Chathill - 2 per day (M-S) in both directions - 24
Coombe Junction Halt - 2 per day (M-S) in both directions - 24
Beyond these numbers you get stations throughout deep rural routes such as the Kyle of Lochalsh line, West Highland Line, Far North Line (top end) and Heart of Wales line where the whole service level is low at around 3 trains per day each way, around the 36 to 42 trains per week level
Okehampton - seasonal
Sampford courtney - seasonal
Quanton Road - excursion