For example Esher used to have 4 platform faces, platform 1 on the up slow, platform 3 on the down slow, and an island (which is still there but now unused) in the middle between the fast lines which was known as platform 2.
The only train that I can recall using platform 2 was in the 1960s when the 18.14 from Waterloo which I think was the only non stop service, it stopped in platfrom 2 (down side) and then crossed to the slow line immediately after leaving the station. They were old Southern Railway platform signs in those days, and I can't believe that the platform face on the up side was never ever used in the life of the station.
There wewre also 2 or 3 other unnumbered platforms in sidings on the up immidiately south of the station which were used on Sandown Park race days.
The only train that I can recall using platform 2 was in the 1960s when the 18.14 from Waterloo which I think was the only non stop service, it stopped in platfrom 2 (down side) and then crossed to the slow line immediately after leaving the station. They were old Southern Railway platform signs in those days, and I can't believe that the platform face on the up side was never ever used in the life of the station.
There wewre also 2 or 3 other unnumbered platforms in sidings on the up immidiately south of the station which were used on Sandown Park race days.