Perhaps we should all have protested then, many of these branch lines that were destroyed are needed now. 
It does no harm to sign things if it helps others to keep their services. Maybe people should be encouraged to use them more and perhaps a charge for doing so - that would probably promote another petition Hmm, about the branch railways, I don't think so - many of the lost lines should never have been built, they always made a loss and would certainly do so now. Some others have been revived as 'heritage' lines but can only operate with volunteer staff (like me, occasionally). It costs a fortune to run a railway to modern standards, a fact which the travelling public doesn't fully appreciate.
But you are probably right about putting a service charge on the Archives under discussion, tho that might well reduce demand
