OST would have been even more disastrous as it really isn't that far by road.
ANR is that bit further which meant it stood a chance in Stobart's eyes. Unfortunately, once you account for the train to Liverpool St you might just as we'll have travelled from ANR to Brussels and got the Eurostar. The only people it benefitted were those in Essex, and the market for Antwerp just isn't big enough. Antwerp is a nice city though and I did use the route - 16 out, 9 back and the previous day's flight had been cancelled