Trivia: Stations on a junction that either have 4 platforms or 2 platforms

[Thomas_TankR]

Examples of four platform stations are Kidsgrove and Cheadle Hulme. Both stations are situated at a junction and they have four platforms where the lines diverge with two platforms for each line. But Aston only has two platforms and the junction is situated just at the end of the platforms with one line for Walsall and the other Lichfield. Any more examples of either two or four platforms stations like this

Rule of the game is if your.suggesting a two platform station then the junction must be viewable from the end of the platform.

I love this sort of thing, thank you for starting this !

 

[xotGD]

Water Orton - before the junction

 

[Springs Branch]

Loughborough Junction

Interesting. I've never actually been!

After posting, I found out Loughborough Junction was historically more exotic than I'd realised (and technically outside the OP's criteria).

Originally there were 7 platforms at Loughborough Junction (3 on the Herne Hill line plus 2 each on the chords towards Brixton and Denmark Hill.

According to the Disused Stations website, platforms on the Brixton curve closed in 1916 and those on the Cambria spur in 1925 (insufficient room there to extend the platforms at the time of electrification). Anyhow, today there are 2 platforms and the junctions are visible, even if it isn't a 'junction' station.

 

[AlastairFraser]

After posting, I found out Loughborough Junction was historically more exotic than I'd realised (and technically outside the OP's criteria).

Originally there were 7 platforms at Loughborough Junction (3 on the Herne Hill line plus 2 each on the chords towards Brixton and Denmark Hill.

According to the Disused Stations website, platforms on the Brixton curve closed in 1916 and those on the Cambria spur in 1925 (insufficient room there to extend the platforms at the time of electrification). Anyhow, today there are 2 platforms and the junctions are visible, even if it isn't a 'junction' station.

Imagine if it was still that size today!

 

[xotGD]

Retford (high level) - two platforms, before the junction for the line to Worksop.

 

[Bradford PA]

It has but the 5th wasn't televant to the discussion as there's no diverging junction either direction!

There WAS a diverging junction at the south end of this platform onto the goods lines in the Bradford direction. The bracket signal for this junction remained at the platform end for many years following the removal of the goods lines, albeit with just a single arm for the main route.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Helsby has 4 platforms.

Earlestown has 5 platforms, located on a triangular junction.

Craven Arms has 2 platforms.

 

[Paul1160]

Does Arthington Station (closed 1965) count?

 

[RPI]

Castle Cary is similar to Swinton, three platforms, except that the third platform (on the Yeovil line) is bi-directional.

The 2nd platform is also bi-directional for arriving off the Yeovil line.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Shipley has 5 platforms, being triangular. The junction for the Ilkley (Guiseley) line isn't visible from any of the platforms though.

It does now, but the platforms on the Leeds-Keighley side of the triangle are modern (early 80s and early 90s). Before that it only had four- two on the Bradford-Skipton side and two on the Bradford-Ilkley/Leeds side.

Darlington has four platforms and the junction for the Middlesbrough line is visible from the station.

 

[plugwash]

A couple that I haven't seen mention of yet.

Dore & Totley

* Originally a two platform station.
* Junction built to the south of the station when the branch opened.
* Increased to four platforms, two for the mainline two for the branch with a junction at the north of the station when the line was upgraded in the 1900s.
* Reduced to a single platform, serving the branch only in the 1960s.
* Second platform for the branch reinstated in the 2020s as part of the hope valley capacity scheme. Still no platforms on the mainline.

Keithley

Four platforms, two mainline and two heritage. Junction to the northwest of the station.

 

[Cricketer8for9]

One could argue Purley has both. Ignoring the fast lines (platforms 1 and 2) there are separate diverging platforms at the London end, but the Caterham and Tattenham Corner split at the country end is served by a single pair of platforms. There’s also a rarely used connection from the up Caterham and Tattenham Corner to the down Redhill. Presumably used now to get railhead treatment train off either branch with an on platform reversal rather than a siding one. In 1990 it was used for an up Caterham morning peak service.

 

[Henffordd]

Don't think anyone has mentioned Coventry yet - Four platforms, junction to Leamington at east end, and to Nuneaton at west end. All very visible.

 

[xotGD]

A couple that I haven't seen mention of yet.

Keithley

Four platforms, two mainline and two heritage. Junction to the northwest of the station.

See post 56.

 

[scrapy]

Wilmslow is a similar layout to Cheadle Hulme and Kidsgrove. (Difference is the platforms are roughly parallel). Platforms 1&2 serve the Styal line and 3&4 serve the Stockport route with the junction at the south end of the station.

 

[Midland Man]

Shipley. Four platforms - Junction for Guiseley beyond, accessible from three of the platforms.

Apologies I've re-read the OP's rules and the junction has to be visible from the platforms - also I'd assumed the junction would be beyond and diverging but converging is OK as well - so Shipley's five platforms count in any direction! (I was a relief signalman based at Shipley).

 

[NSE]

Hither Green has four on the main and two diverging to Dartford.

 

[D6975]

Retford (high level) - two platforms, before the junction for the line to Worksop.

Retford HL has 3 platforms. Still qualifies though.

 

[cle]

Calls to mind how the London A-Z used to show these 45 degree stations... vs regular ones (or mainline termini with custom bespoke) - I remember Hither Green and Crystal Palace specifically, Lewisham too but a more singular, smaller shape.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Do all the platforms have to be leading to a junction?

I'm asking because Cardiff Central has junctions at both ends. These are at the east end to the Valleys & Newport / London and the west end to Barry / Penarth & West Wales. However, not all of the eight platforms (so obviously greater than two or four) lead to the junctions at either end.

In (nearly) the same way, Cardiff Queen Street has a junction at the northern end (to different Valley Lines) and one at the southern end (to Bute Road / Cardiff Bay). Most of the platforms at the northern end can, I think, lead to different Valley Lines; however, not all of those at the southern end can lead to Bute Road / Cardiff Bay, and most trains use the bay platform.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Retford HL has 3 platforms. Still qualifies though.

Unless I'm missing something very pedantic, it doesn't? One platform on the up loop, one on the down loop?

 

[Magdalia]

Unless I'm missing something very pedantic, it doesn't? One platform on the up loop, one on the down loop?

I've not been there for a while, but that's my recollection of Retford, supported by checking the Sectional Appendix and the Open Train Times Map.

Furthermore, access between the ECML and the Whisker Hill curve is only to and from the down platform at Retford.

I'd say Retford doesn't count because it isn't possible to come off the Whisker Hill curve and call in the up platform.

 

[duffield]

Unless I'm missing something very pedantic, it doesn't? One platform on the up loop, one on the down loop?

Yes, just the two platforms, the arrangement is pretty clear on Traksy. The mainline side of the P2 island is fenced off permanently.

 

[mlambeuk]

South Gosforth on the Tyne and Wear metro.

 

[Pnerick81]

Lostock hall . Junction to the east of the station . Which is a freight route to the wcml

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Crediton is an interesting 2-platform station. It is, in effect, the junction between the Okehampton and Barnstaple lines with crossovers just west of the station. After Crediton, the two lines run side by side for several miles before finally diverging just beyond Yeoford. Yeoford however is a one platform station with no further crossovers meaning that only trains to & from Barnstaple can call.

 

[TheHovisKid]

Morecambe? One platform but two faces, one on each branch. Bare Lane? Two platforms, one on each branch, before them merge and resplit for the main line junctions.

Fastest time between to two, 2:18 on a 142, back in the day.

 

[Mat17]

Church Fenton? Is it close enough to the junction to count?

 

[Bevan Price]

Chester - West Junction only visible from 4 of the 7 platforms.

Wigan North Western - Junction to Hindley line visible from 5 platforms (and one disused bay platform), but not accessible from 3 of those platforms.
Wigan Wallgate - Junction for Southport / Headbolt Lane (ex-Liverpool) lines visible from much of the station; 2 through platforms plus 2 bays

 

[Efini92]

Does Norton bridge count?