There are alot of routes that have failed from 'nowhere to nowhere' such as LPL-ABZ/INV.
There have also been alot of routes that have failed that go from 'nowhere to somewhere' such as BLK-STN. These are just a couple of examples from the North West of England and I am sure there are many more around Europe.
FR just need to keep using trial and error as they have been doing for quite some time until they find routes that work and make good money.