The UK's most 'classic' medium-sized stations

[Peter Kelford]

Whilst we all think of the most grandiose mainline stations as 'classic' (usually ECML at that), what are the most 'classic' or 'famous' medium-sized stations? By medium sized, I am referring to stations that are fairly short (200m-ish or less) and narrow with up to 50 metres in width, with no link whatsoever to number of trains or passenger numbers.

 

[duffield]

The buildings that make up Nottingham station, at street level and down on the platform level, including their now beautifully restored interiors, make it a strong contender for best mid-level station (functionally as a station it leaves much to be desired but I'm talking architecture-wise).

Leicester (for example) has the great street-level entrance but not the platform structures.

 

[Greetlander]

I guess I like stations that look a bit like a HO scale model writ large, or carry a hint of steam and a faint air of importance. Hexham, Selby, Hereford. Is this what you had in mind?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Whilst we all think of the most grandiose mainline stations as 'classic' (usually ECML at that), what are the most 'classic' or 'famous' medium-sized stations? By medium sized, I am referring to stations that are fairly short (200m-ish or less) and narrow with up to 50 metres in width, with no link whatsoever to number of trains or passenger numbers.

I wonder if Huddersfield might qualify? It's got a fair number of platforms but none are more than 50 metres wide I'd have thought. Would have to check the SA to see how long the platforms are. The outside architecture is probably one of the best of any station IMO.

 

[Peter Kelford]

I wonder if Huddersfield might qualify? It's got a fair number of platforms but none are more than 50 metres wide I'd have thought. Would have to check the SA to see how long the platforms are. The outside architecture is probably one of the best of any station IMO.

I do mean 50 metres in total. It's about 80m in total.

 

[Mag_seven]

Frome station springs to mind with its trainshed:

https://www.discoverfrome.co.uk/attraction/frome-railway-station/

 

[urpert]

What about Lewes?

 

[Peter Kelford]

I guess I like stations that look a bit like a HO scale model writ large, or carry a hint of steam and a faint air of importance. Hexham, Selby, Hereford. Is this what you had in mind?

Not really, but Huddersfield certainly. Full of character with a decent dose of railway.

 

[Peter Kelford]

What about Lewes?

Exactly.

 

[alangla]

Dumbarton Central and Paisley Gilmour Street might fit with what the OP is thinking about.

Edit - probably Helensburgh Central as well

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Hebden Bridge, Dewsbury and Filey.

 

[yorksrob]

What about Lewes?

Good call. Always one of my favourites.

 

[ian1944]

Dumfries definitely, being double-sided with original sandstone buildings, Lockerbie possibly though with buildings only on the down, and Stirling by style and ambience (though it may be too big).

 

[Ken H]

Bingley. Nice canopies, and front entrance. Largely complete compared to Keighley and Shipley.

Some nice features on the up platform at Carnforth. The 1930's down platform is of the era but not to my taste. Pity the big clock isnt working.

 

[A Challenge]

I'd nominate Whitby, which of course still has regular steam in the form the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

 

[Amlag]

I'd nominate Whitby, which of course still has regular steam in the form the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Surely Okehampton is a worthy candidate ...on the onetime Wateroo to Plymouth Southern main line.

 

[Quakers Yard]

Kettering and Pontypridd.

 

[yorksrob]

I don't know how long it is, but Lancaster (Castle, in old money) has always struck me as a very pleasant station, in terms of traditional buildings and platform cover etc.

Similarly, I have a soft spot for Maidstone East (nice buildings), Darlington Bank Top (beautiful train shed), Truro.

 

[randyrippley]

Bingley. Nice canopies, and front entrance. Largely complete compared to Keighley and Shipley.

Some nice features on the up platform at Carnforth. The 1930's down platform is of the era but not to my taste. Pity the big clock isnt working.

The clock works, its just that the guy who had the key to wind it up is banned from the station following reported incidents of verbal abuse.

 

[Lemmy99uk]

Workington.
Especially now it is being adorned with heritage signage and paint.

 

[johnnychips]

The clock works, its just that the guy who had the key to wind it up is banned from the station following reported incidents of verbal abuse.

There must be a great story here...

 

[Peter Kelford]

The clock works, its just that the guy who had the key to wind it up is banned from the station following reported incidents of verbal abuse.

What?...

 

[Karl]

The clock works, its just that the guy who had the key to wind it up is banned from the station following reported incidents of verbal abuse.

What?!! Tell us more. I'm sure the last time I passed Carnforth the clock told the correct time.

 

[DH1Commuter]

Obvious bias, but I'd go for Durham - 2x platforms only and NR did a decent job on restoring it a few years ago. Not sure if it qualifies since the lengthening of platform 1 for Azuma, however.

Hebden Bridge is a good shout also.

 

[TheSel]

What?!! Tell us more. I'm sure the last time I passed Carnforth the clock told the correct time.

Remember, even a clock that doesn't work at all is right twice a day. Which is more than I achieve, according to 'er indoors.

 

[Peter Kelford]

Remember, even a clock that doesn't work at all is right twice a day. Which is more than I achieve, according to 'er indoors.

We usually think a clock is right if it is around 5 minutes either side of the real time, so there is 20 minutes a day where it is 'about right'. 20/1440= 1.39%

 

[TheSel]

Shrewsbury?



Saltburn?



Dingwall?



There's some lovely architecture out there. And then there's Birmingham New Street!

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

There's some lovely architecture out there. And then there's Birmingham New Street!

FTFY

Joking aside, New Street has a modern design but I can't imagine it will ever be a classic design. It's still a bit too bland for that. Something like London Bridge, on the other hand... now that could be!

 

[Peter Kelford]

FTFY

Joking aside, New Street has a modern design but I can't imagine it will ever be a classic design. It's still a bit too bland for that. Something like London Bridge, on the other hand... now that could be!

On a similar note, the new St Pancras may well become a (already is) is classic, but Euston won't be.

 

[Ken H]

will anyone consider this a classic? (Its Bentham, on Settle Jct - carnforth line)