'EYESORES'

AlanFry1 · 18 Apr 2019

There is currently a thread on hidden gems of stations in the UK (inc. the London Underground network). It would be quite nice to here some of the worst looking stations on the network!

I've not been everywhere (not many have I guess)... But:

Chessington Line - the stations look very dilapidated and unloved, the areas feel very quiet and their is a feeling of being unsafe, especially considering how quiet the line is out of peak (and out of CWOA time!)

Hendon has to be a bit of an eyesore... The motorway on one side, the former yards and freight running lines on another, platform suicide prevention gates and platforms not graved over properly.

Can anyone think of one they thing isn't visually pleasing?

RailUK Forums

Joseph_Locke · 19 Apr 2019

Ardwick. Its only possible redeeming feature is the view NW from the footbridge, but then only for a very specific arc of view, once per year as the sun sets over central Manchester (so, for about 5 minutes in 525960)

61653 HTAFC · 19 Apr 2019

Wakefield Westgate's new buildings aren't pretty. They're an improvement on the old but when they reach the age of the old one they'll look just as dated if not more so.

bramling · 19 Apr 2019

THarris1303 said:
There is currently a thread on hidden gems of stations in the UK (inc. the London Underground network). It would be quite nice to here some of the worst looking stations on the network!

I've not been everywhere (not many have I guess)... But:

Chessington Line - the stations look very dilapidated and unloved, the areas feel very quiet and their is a feeling of being unsafe, especially considering how quiet the line is out of peak (and out of CWOA time!)

Hendon has to be a bit of an eyesore... The motorway on one side, the former yards and freight running lines on another, platform suicide prevention gates and platforms not graved over properly.

Can anyone think of one they thing isn't visually pleasing?

Pretty much anything constructed or added during the last decade or two, especially things like footbridges. The ultimate low is the new platform structures at places like Reading and London Bridge - as well as being hideous they’re also pretty useless at achieving basic functions like shelter from rain and wind.

lxfe_mxtterz · 19 Apr 2019

Not specifically a station as such, but the scenery along the section of track between Middlesbrough and Redcar, especially around South Bank, isn't very fun to look at. Lots of factories and horrible industrial things.

yorksrob · 19 Apr 2019

THarris1303 said:
There is currently a thread on hidden gems of stations in the UK (inc. the London Underground network). It would be quite nice to here some of the worst looking stations on the network!

I've not been everywhere (not many have I guess)... But:

Chessington Line - the stations look very dilapidated and unloved, the areas feel very quiet and their is a feeling of being unsafe, especially considering how quiet the line is out of peak (and out of CWOA time!)

Hendon has to be a bit of an eyesore... The motorway on one side, the former yards and freight running lines on another, platform suicide prevention gates and platforms not graved over properly.

Can anyone think of one they thing isn't visually pleasing?

Architecturally the Chessington line stations are period pieces. I'd far rather they were refurbished and repainted.

Dr_Paul · 19 Apr 2019

yorksrob said:
Architecturally the Chessington line stations are period pieces. I'd far rather they were refurbished and repainted.

I agree, they are superb examples of 1930s architecture. It's a shame they're so shabby.

EM2 · 19 Apr 2019

Maryland. The street level building is (or was at least) vaguely attractive, but apart from that I can't think of a single redeeming feature

AlanFry1 · 19 Apr 2019

Ilford looks a bit odd!

pne508 · 19 Apr 2019

Preston stations new entrance made the shortlist for the 2017 Carbuncle Award. I can't see it ever growing on me.

https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/carbuncle-cup-2017-winner-announced/5089506.article

jopsuk · 20 Apr 2019

Cambridge North, especially on a cold overcast day with a wind blowing in off the fens. Grey, grim.

Ken H · 20 Apr 2019

lxfe_mxtterz said:
Not specifically a station as such, but the scenery along the section of track between Middlesbrough and Redcar, especially around South Bank, isn't very fun to look at. Lots of factories and horrible industrial things.

I dunno. I love it when the train goes through a chasm of industry. I liked the old MR route through Curdworth, and passing the coke ovens on the Aberdare branch. And passing Hatfield Colliery coming out of Doncaster.

This is really going back, and not train. Does anyone else remember the road winding through Rylstone Quarry (yes the one that is still rail connected today). You went under the conveyors taking the stone to the crushers. Remember its as a kid on the old West Yorkshire Road car Co red buses between Skipton and Grassington.

CyrusWuff · 20 Apr 2019

I'm going to go with the (soon to be closed) Angel Road, nestled as it is between a scrapyard and a 40mph dual carriageway.

DPWH · 21 Apr 2019

Surely an "unhidden gem" should be something big and impressive that everyone knows about, e.g. St Pancras roof. It's a gem, yes, but it's not exactly hidden. Whereas something grotty few people know about should be something like "a hidden turd"?

mlambeuk · 21 Apr 2019

The office block at Harrogate station

DerekC · 21 Apr 2019

Hilsea station gets my local vote.

37047 · 22 Apr 2019

Watlington station - very scruffy, definitely in need of a makeover. The old station house is for sale at the moment (sadly out of my price range) but doing that up would help, as would a coat of paint on the signal box. The rest is a sorry mix of Network Southeast totem, badly faded, then bits of Great Northern, First Capital Connect, etc.

The stations either side look good (King's Lynn is decent in its British Railways style, and I do love Downham Market in full Network Southeast colours) - WTG is letting the Norfolk end of the Fen Line down.

Journeyman · 23 Apr 2019

yorksrob said:
Architecturally the Chessington line stations are period pieces. I'd far rather they were refurbished and repainted.

They've been in far worse nick in the past - they look alright at the moment, I reckon.

I love the canopies without supports, they look very elegant.

yorksrob · 23 Apr 2019

Journeyman said:
They've been in far worse nick in the past - they look alright at the moment, I reckon.

I love the canopies without supports, they look very elegant.

I read that at one stage, they were lit with different coloured flourescent tubes, which must have made them look quite space age.

AM9 · 23 Apr 2019

DerekC said:
Hilsea station gets my local vote.

Yes, bring back the old Bailey (style) bridge over the railway. It was amusing to see those who ignored the tidal one-way signs having to back around the right-angled bends and down from whence they came.

Ianno87 · 23 Apr 2019

jopsuk said:
Cambridge North, especially on a cold overcast day with a wind blowing in off the fens. Grey, grim.

On a cold day it does feel 'exposed'. Might feel better/more lively when the adjacent hotel is built.

The Game of Life morif on the footbridge is a redeeming feature.

LowLevel · 23 Apr 2019

Langwith Whaley-Thorns. In a dark cutting, no redeeming features, not particularly busy and the crowning feature is a burnt out 1990s Ford Fiesta just off the end of the platform if you know where to look.

FrodshamJnct · 23 Apr 2019

Patricroft. Absolutely no redeeming features, not used very much and next to a motorway (the M602).

(Edited due to a complete brain meltdown and me typing Irlam originally!)

37047 · 23 Apr 2019

Ianno87 said:
On a cold day it does feel 'exposed'. Might feel better/more lively when the adjacent hotel is built.

The Game of Life morif on the footbridge is a redeeming feature.

Exposed is definitely the word - bitterly cold in the wind, and very grey. It's one end of my daily commute so I spend a lot of time there. Any grimness is more than made up for by the staff, who are some of the most helpful and cheerful I've encountered.

PR1Berske · 23 Apr 2019

pne508 said:
Preston stations new entrance made the shortlist for the 2017 Carbuncle Award. I can't see it ever growing on me.

https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/carbuncle-cup-2017-winner-announced/5089506.article

It hasn't got any better

lxfe_mxtterz · 23 Apr 2019

Tom Maddox said:
Irlam. Absolutely no redeeming features, not used very much and next to a motorway (the M602).

Irlam...? I've always thought of Irlam as a lovely little station, after the station house renovation anyway.

Ianno87 · 23 Apr 2019

lxfe_mxtterz said:
Irlam...? I've always thought of Irlam as a lovely little station, after the station house renovation anyway.

Irlam is nowhere near the M602. Eccles on the other hand...

backontrack · 24 Apr 2019

London Euston. Dank, hectic, gloomy.
Strood. By all accounts, it's got a new bridge now, though.
Ashford International. Permanently windy.
Birmingham New Street. It's like Wrexham Central, but bigger.
London Charing Cross. Sepia-toned and the main exit onto the Strand also acts as a wind tunnel.

If that seems overly negative, then there are also some stations that I adore; stations like York, Carlisle, Edinburgh Waverley, Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow Central, Shrewsbury, Forsinard, Lincoln Central, Norwich and Huddersfield.

AlastairFraser · 24 Apr 2019

bramling said:
Pretty much anything constructed or added during the last decade or two, especially things like footbridges. The ultimate low is the new platform structures at places like Reading and London Bridge - as well as being hideous they’re also pretty useless at achieving basic functions like shelter from rain and wind.

And the escalators broke down not very long after the reopening.

AlastairFraser · 24 Apr 2019

EM2 said:
Maryland. The street level building is (or was at least) vaguely attractive, but apart from that I can't think of a single redeeming feature

It's close to Stratford and the Olympic Park. Apart from that,not much

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