Railway stations that need to be refurbished - Page 5

junglejames · 13th June 2012, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherry_Picker

New Street is just grim. It's dark and unwelcoming and it is a very poor advertisement for Britain's second city in its current state. I know it's difficult to do much with it as it is almost entirely underground (even if this does give it the bonus of having an extremely central location) but if you want an example of everything bad about 1960s architecture and why Birmingham had a reputation as a concrete jungle for so long then just look at New Street station. It has a hell of a lot to answer for when it comes to peoples first impressions of the city.

The outside of the station is just as bad. The Gateway Plus project is money well spent as far as I am concerned, and 2015 cannot come quickly enough.

I admit it is dreary from the outside, but never had a problem inside. Well nothing that a few more lights wouldnt solve. Be interesting to see what the concourse turns out like after the works.

For some odd reason though, I never had a problem with BRs 1960s concrete construction. I like both Euston and Birmingham International. I blame it on growing up on the WCML!!

The Informer · 13th June 2012, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6Gman

Llandudno.

End of .....

That's the one!!!! Like something from "I am Legend" movie!!!

6Gman · 13th June 2012, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by daccer

I would like to see Crewe returned to its former glory. Get rid of all the nasty 60's and 70's additions and build a proper station building.

I'm not sure Crewe was ever glorious!

[The station I mean. I love the town dearly!]

trentside · 13th June 2012, 16:15

I'll put in another vote for Wakefield Kirkgate, despite the improvements it's not going to become a more welcoming place unless it becomes staffed - which in the current climate isn't likely to happen.

Skegness has been rundown for a number of years, but I'm pleased to say the Skegness Interchange project has seen it refurbished with some effort to enclose the concourse from the elements and reduce the number of roosting pigeons etc.

warriorwarlord · 13th June 2012, 22:25

I think New Street is victim of poor maintenance and upkeep (or lack of it). Aside from repainting some of the walls, replacing the CRT departure screens and erecting a forest of CCTV cameras Network Rail and formerly Railtrack seem to have just left it alone. I will say that the gateline and concourse areas are a bit cluttered and small but I just think they could have made improvements on a smaller scale.

As for Maryland, that is a grim looking place!

WL113 · 13th June 2012, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriorwarlord

I think New Street is victim of poor maintenance and upkeep (or lack of it). Aside from repainting some of the walls, replacing the CRT departure screens and erecting a forest of CCTV cameras Network Rail and formerly Railtrack seem to have just left it alone. I will say that the gateline and concourse areas are a bit cluttered and small but I just think they could have made improvements on a smaller scale.

As for Maryland, that is a grim looking place!

That is all New Street needs. De-clutter the platforms and open the Station up. If that was done it would be even more of a pleasure to use. (even better, cut out the un necessary announcements. Unfortunately the ground above the station has value....

By the way, this thread should be Stations that need to be refurbished, not train stations.

LE Greys · 14th June 2012, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by WL113

That is all New Street needs. De-clutter the platforms and open the Station up. If that was done it would be even more of a pleasure to use. (even better, cut out the un necessary announcements. Unfortunately the ground above the station has value....

By the way, this thread should be Stations that need to be refurbished, not train stations.

That's agreed. A glass roof, or the 'sun pipes' you see in some places, would be very helpful in stations such as this. There also needs to be a bigger circulating area for transfer between platforms.

And I agree also agree that someone should edit the thread title.

<EDIT> Thank you whoever has

SprinterMan · 14th June 2012, 12:41

Until recently Marks Tey was on my list, but NXEA/GA have refurbished it, and done quite a nice job too.
http://www.esscrp.org.uk/gallery/ima...&type=img&id=2
Adam

317666 · 14th June 2012, 15:32

Contrary to an earlier post, I really like the retro feel of the underground MerseyRail stations, I think it would be a shame to see them refurbished to a bog-standard modern style.

One station that I feel could do with being spruced up a bit is Great Yarmouth. It looks very run-down, a lick of paint would be a good idea.

exile · 14th June 2012, 18:24

If not already mentioned - Torquay and Paignton - both looking very run down.

50010 Monarch · 14th June 2012, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by exile

If not already mentioned - Torquay and Paignton - both looking very run down.

Agree about Paignton. Was there last week & it certainly could do with a facelift.

The worst thing about the station IMO was the weeds in the track. They just make the whole place look such a mess. I know the lines in the Goodrington direction are not used all that much but the two tracks just disappear in to a sea of weeds towards the end of the platforms.

The track in the rest of the station & out towards Torquay is also a weed infested mess.

chris89 · 14th June 2012, 21:52

I don't mind Birmingham New Street as i find it quite easy to find trains etc. Also the work being done to the station will improve it massivly.

Wolverhampton isn't that bad but could do with a freshen up though especially the underpass bit under the station.

One station that is already looking great for its Refurbishment is Edinburgh Waverley the bit where the roof is completed lets it a lot of light and look forward for rest the station to look like that + Platforms 8 & 9

Chris

s3an · 15th June 2012, 10:13

Newport, Gwent. Water always leaking through the various canopies when it rains and uneven surfaces on the platforms. The new parts have leaks too.
The cafe is at the opposite end of the island platform to the station entrance and so is the waiting room, meaning most people have to wait on windy and cold platforms.

LE Greys · 15th June 2012, 11:42

Bits of Aberdeen could do with some work, even though much of it has just been done (or ruined, there used to be some nice old Caledonian architecture at the north end). There's a road bridge at the north end that actually has stalactites formed by rust, and a footbridge than ends in thin air, plus that dingy connection to the shopping centre on Union Street, and some very slippery flooring a bit further north of that (where I nearly broke my neck once, luckily the fall did not result in me going down the stairs).

It's usually a mistake to only refurbish half of a station.

13th June 2012, 16:15	#64
trentside Established Member Join Date: 14 Aug 2010 Posts: 1,880	I'll put in another vote for Wakefield Kirkgate, despite the improvements it's not going to become a more welcoming place unless it becomes staffed - which in the current climate isn't likely to happen. Skegness has been rundown for a number of years, but I'm pleased to say the Skegness Interchange project has seen it refurbished with some effort to enclose the concourse from the elements and reduce the number of roosting pigeons etc. __________________ My Flickr Site \| My FlightDiary

14th June 2012, 15:32	#69
317666 Member Join Date: 4 Sep 2009 Posts: 903	Contrary to an earlier post, I really like the retro feel of the underground MerseyRail stations, I think it would be a shame to see them refurbished to a bog-standard modern style. One station that I feel could do with being spruced up a bit is Great Yarmouth. It looks very run-down, a lick of paint would be a good idea. __________________ Last 317 travelled on: 317670

14th June 2012, 21:52	#72
chris89 Member Join Date: 21 Dec 2009 Location: West Midlands (Severn Valley) Posts: 955	I don't mind Birmingham New Street as i find it quite easy to find trains etc. Also the work being done to the station will improve it massivly. Wolverhampton isn't that bad but could do with a freshen up though especially the underpass bit under the station. One station that is already looking great for its Refurbishment is Edinburgh Waverley the bit where the roof is completed lets it a lot of light and look forward for rest the station to look like that + Platforms 8 & 9 Chris __________________ Current Rail Miles: 1500 Miles Am '220389' on UKTS Forums

15th June 2012, 11:42	#74
LE Greys Established Member Join Date: 6 Mar 2010 Location: Hitchin Posts: 5,336	Bits of Aberdeen could do with some work, even though much of it has just been done (or ruined, there used to be some nice old Caledonian architecture at the north end). There's a road bridge at the north end that actually has stalactites formed by rust, and a footbridge than ends in thin air, plus that dingy connection to the shopping centre on Union Street, and some very slippery flooring a bit further north of that (where I nearly broke my neck once, luckily the fall did not result in me going down the stairs). It's usually a mistake to only refurbish half of a station. __________________ Always thinking as I type, sometimes not very well

13th June 2012, 22:25	#65
warriorwarlord Member Join Date: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 47	I think New Street is victim of poor maintenance and upkeep (or lack of it). Aside from repainting some of the walls, replacing the CRT departure screens and erecting a forest of CCTV cameras Network Rail and formerly Railtrack seem to have just left it alone. I will say that the gateline and concourse areas are a bit cluttered and small but I just think they could have made improvements on a smaller scale. As for Maryland, that is a grim looking place!

14th June 2012, 12:41	#68
SprinterMan Established Member Join Date: 20 Sep 2010 Location: Bangor (Gwynedd) or Sudbury (Suffolk) Posts: 1,569	Until recently Marks Tey was on my list, but NXEA/GA have refurbished it, and done quite a nice job too. http://www.esscrp.org.uk/gallery/ima...&type=img&id=2 Adam

14th June 2012, 18:24	#70
exile Member Join Date: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: 945	If not already mentioned - Torquay and Paignton - both looking very run down.

15th June 2012, 10:13	#73
s3an Member Join Date: 8 Sep 2011 Posts: 44	Newport, Gwent. Water always leaking through the various canopies when it rains and uneven surfaces on the platforms. The new parts have leaks too. The cafe is at the opposite end of the island platform to the station entrance and so is the waiting room, meaning most people have to wait on windy and cold platforms.