Up until the 1960s, in the days of 1500V DC and quadruple track on the Altrincham Line, I wonder if the Fast Line platforms at Warwick Road were effectively (if not officially) excursion platforms?
These platforms were not used by regular MSJ&AR stopping services, CLC trains to Manchester Central, nor the MSJ&AR peak-hour expresses.
As I understand it, at one time there was a siding or two south of Warwick Road station on the western side for stabling football / cricket specials (although I've not found any photographic evidence in a quick search)
Disused platforms are visible behind the fence here:-
Image copyright Nigel Thompson at www.geograph.org.uk/p/4091669. Licenced for re-use under cc-by-sa/2.0
In similar vein, there are the platforms on the Fast Lines at Wembley Central:
- never used in normal circumstances.
- bleak concrete with zero facilities.
- securely gated off from the rest of the station.
- only opened for events at Wembley Stadium.
Do these count as effectively excursion platforms? (though I'm not sure how often they're used in recent years).