the part refurb of Crewe station

[daccer]

During a few infrequent visits to Crewe it has always struck me that the refurb that was done seemed to be unfinished. The central roof has been done but some of the platform extensions havent. Some of the central supports have been painted but others havent. Some of the walls have greenery growing out of them and there is still a slightly derelict feel to some parts of the station.

Is the work there finished. Has it stopped due to the fact it might be getting replaced or because HS2 might now be occuring. Not a real issue for me just wondered how it fit into Virgin's incessant branding.

 

[LowLevel]

They've neglected their stations for 20 years - one part of the branding that never fit.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Is the work there finished. Has it stopped due to the fact it might be getting replaced or because HS2 might now be occuring. Not a real issue for me just wondered how it fit into Virgin's incessant branding.

The Virgin stations have always seemed to slip under the 'awesome' radar on the West Coast; whilst most have had some form of refurbishment to the passenger environments in recent years (I think every waiting room has been refurbished, and most of the booking halls opened out and rejigged), things like BR-era signage is still rampant the further north you go. I have always found the likes of Wigan NW and Warrington BQ to be particularly underwhelming for inter-city stations.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

They've neglected their stations for 20 years - one part of the branding that never fit.

No "revenue streams" in painting the pillars red... :roll:

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I shouldn't think the repeated short franchise extensions since 2012 help, with minimal investment.
Plus the long planning blight over the future location of the station.
Hopefully the arrival of HS2 will prompt a decent rebuild.
It's galling in the rain when the rebuilt canopy on P12 lies mostly unused, while there are still missing panes in the P6/9 canopy where Chester passengers congregate.

 

[Starmill]

Crewe does have a new ticket office and area for ticket machines, and it's had a new entrance opened. These have only been done within the last few years, in addition to the nice waiting rooms and refurbishment of the toilets. You're right that it's all a bit piecemeal though. But it is still nicer than it was.

 

[Kettledrum]

They've neglected their stations for 20 years - one part of the branding that never fit.

I assumed that as part of the franchise agreement there would be contractual clauses requiring the station buildings, platforms and canopies to be maintained to a certain standard and handed back in the same condition that they were at the start of the franchise.

I don't know whether there is such a contractual requirement and how it's enforced though.

 

[ChrisHogan]

I assumed that as part of the franchise agreement there would be contractual clauses requiring the station buildings, platforms and canopies to be maintained to a certain standard and handed back in the same condition that they were at the start of the franchise.

I don't know whether there is such a contractual requirement and how it's enforced though.

Not part of the Franchise Agreement (unless there is a requirement in the FA to upgrade) but the obligation is in the Station Lease with Network Rail. The specific obligations, including the dilapidation provisions at the end of the lease, can be found in the station's Station Access Conditions.

Basically will require Virgin Trains to hand back Crewe in no worse a state than it took it over in 1997. The Crewe SACs should be somewhere on the ORR's website as that document is regulated under sections 17-22 of the 1993 Act.

 

[Taunton]

For me Crewe still looks pretty much as I recall it 50 years ago, with the last steam locos around. There have been some changes at the edges, but it mostly seems pretty much untouched. A lot of the brickwork is probably LNWR. Those big opaque glass screens that divide the tracks, I can remember, are placed just high enough that you could see steam loco numbers as they passed along the tracks behind. I do, however, find waiting there on a wet winter evening is particularly atmospheric.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Many parts of Crewe are Listed , this could be a reason or at least an excuse to leave it be and not carry out as much upgrading would be normal.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The Virgin stations have always seemed to slip under the 'awesome' radar on the West Coast; whilst most have had some form of refurbishment to the passenger environments in recent years (I think every waiting room has been refurbished, and most of the booking halls opened out and rejigged), things like BR-era signage is still rampant the further north you go. I have always found the likes of Wigan NW and Warrington BQ to be particularly underwhelming for inter-city stations.

Warrington BQ was deliberately fitted with BR style signage at the end of the last franchise. It's actually no more than 2-3 years old.

I actually think VT do take care of their stations quite well, though maybe LM are the kings of doing this right. If you want to see horrid, neglected stations with flaking paint, try the Thames Valley GWR stations. Or ATW, on which the only nicely-kept thing is the Class 158 and Mk3 refurbs.

 

[yorksrob]

I used to change at Crewe regularly about twenty years ago and it seemed a bit unloved. I find the station has a more cared for, tidy feel, although I'm pleased to say that the buildings and canopy seem largely intact.

 

[DarloRich]

Crewe is an awful station to have to spend time. So dull and lacking in facilities.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's galling in the rain when the rebuilt canopy on P12 lies mostly unused, while there are still missing panes in the P6/9 canopy where Chester passengers congregate.

I take it all back - having checked today (in the rain!), NR has finally patched up the P6/9 canopies and they are now water-tight.
Well done NR.
Next thing is to sort out the grubby toilets.
And a small Upper Crust latte is now an excruciating £2.90.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Crewe is an awful station to have to spend time. So dull and lacking in facilities.

OMG and to think in my spotter days in the 1970s I regularly di overnights here and slept on brute wagons or whatever was available.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Crewe is an awful station to have to spend time. So dull and lacking in facilities.

Whilst I can agree it isn't much fun to spend any length of time at I can't agree it is lacking in facilities.

It has café, shops, platform concession stands, first class lounge , a bar, cash machines, waiting rooms , toilets, home made cake and pies sold on a stand at the top of the stairs a couple of times a week.

What more would you like it to have?

Dull...yes, lacking facilities.... No.

 

[6Gman]

Crewe does have a new ticket office and area for ticket machines, and it's had a new entrance opened. These have only been done within the last few years, in addition to the nice waiting rooms and refurbishment of the toilets. You're right that it's all a bit piecemeal though. But it is still nicer than it was.

Where are they?

Still looking ...

 

[boyaloud]

Where are they?

Still looking ...

Under the first class lounge there is a really lovely waiting room, full of plants, pictures of schoolkids visiting, modern yet homely feeling. Large + usually about 1 person in when I go!

 

[boyaloud]

Whilst I can agree it isn't much fun to spend any length of time at I can't agree it is lacking in facilities.

It has café, shops, platform concession stands, first class lounge , a bar, cash machines, waiting rooms , toilets, home made cake and pies sold on a stand at the top of the stairs a couple of times a week.

What more would you like it to have?

Dull...yes, lacking facilities.... No.

I think what he means is the facilities are all rubbish rip-off, poor quality, time-warpy SSP franchises, and not decent ones like Starbucks. The Pumpkin in particular is very tired, stuffy, has horrible coloured paint, an odd-layout, feels sweaty and 90s in a bad way!

A new Starbucks drive-thru, Greggs and Subway have all just been constructed just on the edge of the Weston Rd Virgin trains car park, however for those who like to live in 2017 and get very cheap/free coffee at Gregg's (set up a new account on their app for this), and cheaper and better food in more hygenic operations than the station (I've had pumpkin staff sneeze on a baguette once, and the places feel grubby due to the tired decor).

 

[boyaloud]

Whilst I can agree it isn't much fun to spend any length of time at I can't agree it is lacking in facilities.

It has café, shops, platform concession stands, first class lounge , a bar, cash machines, waiting rooms , toilets, home made cake and pies sold on a stand at the top of the stairs a couple of times a week.

What more would you like it to have?

Dull...yes, lacking facilities.... No.

I think what he means is the facilities are all rubbish rip-off, poor quality, time-warpy SSP franchises, and not decent ones like Starbucks. The Pumpkin in particular is very tired, stuffy, has horrible coloured paint, an odd-layout, feels sweaty and 90s in a bad way!

A new Starbucks drive-thru, Greggs and Subway have all just been constructed just on the edge of the Weston Rd Virgin trains car park, however for those who like to live in 2017 and get very cheap/free coffee at Gregg's (set up a new account on their app for this), and cheaper and better food in more hygenic operations than the station (I've had pumpkin staff sneeze on a baguette once, and the places feel grubby due to the tired decor).

 

[boyaloud]

Whilst I can agree it isn't much fun to spend any length of time at I can't agree it is lacking in facilities.

It has café, shops, platform concession stands, first class lounge , a bar, cash machines, waiting rooms , toilets, home made cake and pies sold on a stand at the top of the stairs a couple of times a week.

What more would you like it to have?

Dull...yes, lacking facilities.... No.

I think what he means is the facilities are all rubbish rip-off, poor quality, time-warpy SSP franchises, and not decent ones like Starbucks. The Pumpkin in particular is very tired, stuffy, has horrible coloured paint, an odd-layout, feels sweaty and 90s in a bad way!

A new Starbucks drive-thru, Greggs and Subway have all just been constructed just on the edge of the Weston Rd Virgin trains car park, however for those who like to live in 2017 and get very cheap/free coffee at Gregg's (set up a new account on their app for this), and cheaper and better food in more hygenic operations than the station (I've had pumpkin staff sneeze on a baguette once, and the places feel grubby due to the tired decor).

 

[DarloRich]

Whilst I can agree it isn't much fun to spend any length of time at I can't agree it is lacking in facilities.

It has café, shops, platform concession stands, first class lounge , a bar, cash machines, waiting rooms , toilets, home made cake and pies sold on a stand at the top of the stairs a couple of times a week.

What more would you like it to have?

Dull...yes, lacking facilities.... No.

apologies: Decent facilities. I would like decent facilities. They all seem to tiny, over priced and shut after about 1800.


It is an awful, drab, dreary, place. Just bulldoze it.

PS don't talk to me about first class lounges. Lot of use to me as a second class passenger.

I think what he means is the facilities are all rubbish rip-off, poor quality, time-warpy SSP franchises, and not decent ones like Starbucks. The Pumpkin in particular is very tired, stuffy, has horrible coloured paint, an odd-layout, feels sweaty and 90s in a bad way!

A new Starbucks drive-thru, Greggs and Subway have all just been constructed just on the edge of the Weston Rd Virgin trains car park, however for those who like to live in 2017 and get very cheap/free coffee at Gregg's (set up a new account on their app for this), and cheaper and better food in more hygenic operations than the station (I've had pumpkin staff sneeze on a baguette once, and the places feel grubby due to the tired decor).

beaten to it - although I would remove Starbucks form the list

 

[Starmill]

PS don't talk to me about first class lounges. Lot of use to me as a second class passenger.

Why not? We know you travel in First Class when it suits you You have said as much before. You simply enjoy maintaining your image as someone hard-done-by who can't bear to sit in the (recently refurbished and actually pretty nice) waiting rooms with all of the other standard class scum :P

The First Class lounge is a part of the station, so if we want to talk about then we will. Deal with it

 

[chris_in_salop]

I like the Pumpkin at Crewe. Light, airy, lots of seating, plenty of train information and very convenient for the platforms. Plus the staff have always been friendly in the 10 or 15 times that I have stopped off there.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The main problem I have with the provision is the early closure - particularly of the pub!

 

[DarloRich]

Why not? We know you travel in First Class when it suits you You have said as much before. You simply enjoy maintaining your image as someone hard-done-by who can't bear to sit in the (recently refurbished and actually pretty nice) waiting rooms with all of the other standard class scum :P

The First Class lounge is a part of the station, so if we want to talk about then we will. Deal with it

In all fairness I didn't know there were nicely refurbished waiting rooms. I may get to check them out this weekend. The station is grotty though.

As for first class lounges my knowledge of them is limited to 6: Kings Cross, Euston, Darlington, Edinburgh, Paddington, New Street. Sadly, without the privilege of a student or OAP railcard or the freedom from responsibility enjoyed by many here my fc trips are very limited.

For the majority of passengers in the real world the first class lounge just isnt part of their travel experience or expectations and very rarely will be. That is the thing many posters here miss. The one at Crewe may be very nice but most passengers in the real world will know nothing more about it than the locked door at the end of the bridge as they trudge down onto the platform to wait in the cold.

I like the Pumpkin at Crewe. Light, airy, lots of seating, plenty of train information and very convenient for the platforms. Plus the staff have always been friendly in the 10 or 15 times that I have stopped off there.

low quality and high prices though.

The main problem I have with the provision is the early closure - particularly of the pub!

no decent ale!