wrote:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...look_west2.jpg

there seem to be metal handrails for some steps leading down from the
now disused platform to the trackbed of the long-disused bay. What
are they for? Are they for access to a S&T cabinet, or something
similar?

I think almost certainly. Seems to be pretty near that cabinet (easier seen
at full size), I think there will definitely have been a few resitings, I'd
suggest that AWS magnet seen in the picture would previously have had its
associated cabinet where the new platforms are now...

Paul S