This is a cracking thead
The two stations that blew me away the first time I saw them (after refurbishment that is) are:
Manchester Piccadilly - Love the glass footage to the platforms with the gaint platform white platform numbers.
And it does the opposite of what St Pancras does (even though I do like both ways of doing it) in that there are shops and restaurants on a level above the main concourse. I like to sit up there and look down on all the hustle and bussle.
St Pancras - Everything from the outside brickwork, gaint statue, oylimpic rings to the glass footage around the eurostar platforms. Which unlike Waterloo when it had the eurostar it shows you what the station is all about, it doesn't hide them away.
Plus how cool is it to go upto platform level. I took a photo the first time I was there, I was standing on the stairs, halfway down so the shot has some shops with a eurostar on top! - Cool
Other stations which I like:
Carlisle - Many an hour spent there, even though like most places these days it's not at its peak (train wise) it is still a beautiful station. The train portraits and nameplates that line the wall really add to feel of the place. Would have loved to have seen Citadel in all its pomp.
Preston - My home town station. I can only imagine what it used to look like, or greater till - felt like, when it was at it's largest. Before the fishergate arrived. Pretty much two stations in one.
The entrance its lovely and the gaint red rose is a favourite of mine. Says i'm home
Anyone know how long its been there??? - I can always remember it so if i'm right about that then its been there at least since the late 80's.
The subway needs some attention. Its just bare brick painted white. There's quite alot of dust and dirt down there. Some lovely bright tiles over the brickwork would set it off a treat.
Most ECML stations - York, Newcastle etc are pretty
Alot of stations for me are nice to look at, but ruined by becoming backwaters. Perth is a classic example.
Leeds hasn't been mentioned so far. Ok its not the best looker, from the outside but inside its modern and what the backwater's lose in lack of trains, Leeds more then makes up for. Always something to see.
Bristol Temple Meads - I agree with previous posters, its not much from the inside but WOW - that fascade!
I didn't really know about it till I was there. I turned around on leaving the station and was blown away!
This truly is a under photographed object - More people outside of Bristol should know about it.
Liskeard - Cannot believe this station hasn't been mentioned. I was there this summer. Had quite some time in total between waiting for the next train to Looe and for my train back to Plymouth. The warm summer's evening helped of course. The air was still and there was no noise. The station is very pretty and what won it for me was the semaphore signalling. I could see the signal wires along the platforms edge and for once they were in working order (and on a mainline to top it all!)
Sat there, watching the signalman at work in his box, listening to wires go back and forth - Bliss