Trivia: Stations that are overengineered for their current usage

[61653 HTAFC]

Ravensthorpe. The long-disused sections of the platforms were brought back into use last year with nice new edging stones and modern tactile surfaces... but all services that call in normal usage are shorter, so only occupy the older, rather decrepit sections!

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

I'm rather surprised that Blackpool North has as many platforms, and as long platforms, as it has. Obviously everything terminates/starts there, but 8 platforms seems total overkill to me, given it has approximately 4tph plus the Pendolinos! By comparison, Manchester Airport has just 4 (much shorter) platforms for 10tph, so it quite understandably struggles.

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm rather surprised that Blackpool North has as many platforms, and as long platforms, as it has. Obviously everything terminates/starts there, but 8 platforms seems total overkill to me, given it has approximately 4tph plus the Pendolinos! By comparison, Manchester Airport has just 4 (much shorter) platforms for 10tph, so it quite understandably struggles.

Blackpool North had 8 platforms when this thread started, in 2017, but has been reduced to 6...

 

[Wirewiper]

I would argue that most stations which have a car park adjacent were over-engineered for its current use. As it is unlikely the car park would be in that location if the station hadn't originally had a goods yard.

 

[BigCj34]

Ulverston. Has 3 platforms, but 2 is however used. Because Platform 1 and 2 use the same track and no trains allow alighting onto Platform 2 anymore.

In all seriousness that station has quite a large vacant commercial unit that has not been occupied since the nightclub closed in 2005 or so. There was a kids fun house for a short while but didn't last, though having to pay for parking is potentially a turn off for businesses. The tower has finally been converted into a bike hire shop and cafe though.

 

[Ken H]

Lawrence Hill and Stapleton road (Bristol). Really long platforms. probably only see 2 car DMU these days

 

[jfisher21]

Crystal Palace is quite grand for what is now a suburban commuter station.

 

[30907]

Crystal Palace is quite grand for what is now a suburban commuter station.

Indeed it is, and I could have imagined it being knocked down in the 70s and the historic part reduced to a single line.
Fortunately, it was listed and restored, and at track level it's all needed.

 

[yorksrob]

Indeed it is, and I could have imagined it being knocked down in the 70s and the historic part reduced to a single line.
Fortunately, it was listed and restored, and at track level it's all needed.

Alas, no such luck for High Level though

 

[Grumpy]

Given the criteria set by the OP perhaps Skipton might qualify. The southernmost island platform could be described as mothballed

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Given the criteria set by the OP perhaps Skipton might qualify. The southernmost island platform could be described as mothballed

There are hopes that the line to Grassington could be reopened, which would bring that island back into use.

It would also require airborne bacon, and the next Winter Olympics to be awarded to the city of Hades, however!

 

[ancientsolar]

I would add Clacton on Sea to that list..

and Severn tunnel Junction. 2 services per hour typically, -- although it is a junction.. I am surprised a single island platform wasn't engineered instead of the 2.

 

[Parallel]

I don’t think two platforms (or a single island platform) would work at Severn Tunnel Junction, there is not really room for a complete set of points west of there before the lines divulge from the station, the other option would be use of a single line for both platforms, with UP trains looped to call there, but that won’t work on a busy mainline. I’d say that Severn Tunnel Junction is appropriately engineered, down to geography rather than service frequency.