What's the worst station in Ireland d'ya reckon DR? Howth Junction was pretty appalling in the 1990s, with the ticket man locked up in a tin box behind a cage for his own safety. The only places I ever felt more scared waiting for a train were Wandsworth Road and Woolwich Dockyard.
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Worst Railway Station in UK
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What's the worst station in Ireland d'ya reckon DR? Howth Junction was pretty appalling in the 1990s, with the ticket man locked up in a tin box behind a cage for his own safety. The only places I ever felt more scared waiting for a train were Wandsworth Road and Woolwich Dockyard.
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Vulcan
Member
another vote for Birmingham New Street, and Wakefield Kirkgate, and Manchester Vic. You'd think that a station adjacent to the M.E.N. arena would be all set up for dealing with crowds, but no.
Unlike New St and Kirkgate, Manchester Victoria is not without its charms though. Like the wonderful stained glass outside listing all the possible destinations, the L&Y map, the refreshment rooms with the lovely cupola, the marvellously poignant and understated bronze plaque by the exit stating that through this door many thousands of men passed on their way to the Great War, and how many of them never came back.
This is not in the same league as Wakefield Kirkgate and Victoria wouldn't even make it into my bottom 100. Granted, it's not what it used to be, but it still has its moments.
This is not in the same league as Wakefield Kirkgate and Victoria wouldn't even make it into my bottom 100. Granted, it's not what it used to be, but it still has its moments.
ianthescot
Member
Agree about Dalmarnock (only just better than Bridgeton). Every time I drive into it and have to put my window down I wonder what on earth that is I'm breathing in! Smells like 50 year old diesel and as to what that orange "gunge" is that comes out of the drain pipes onto the rail, I'm frightened to think what that could be. It's supposed to be getting "renovated" for the 2014 Commonwealth games. As to how they achieve that with train running all day I don't know.
Livingston South is also a crazy place. In the morning it's stowed and it can only be around 4 feet wide and wooden to boot, as well as being totall exposed so if it's raining or windy there's no protection.
Drimnagh Road
Member
The new Rosslare Europort shack, it's a platform beside the turntable, a half mile away from the terminal, no footpath to terminal, unstaffed and this is an "Intercity" terminus station. Has to be seen to be believed.
CarterUSM
Established Member
I've often wondered about that orange gunk myself! It has been there for ever. I don't mind Livi South, though it looks as if it was just knocked up over a weekend by my dad.
Yes, I've heard very bad things about the new Rosslare terminal. Truly shocking. Well do I remember the warmth of the old Rosslare Harbour Pier station. Stepping off steam heated Park Royal or older stock having been hauled in by an 001 or a 141 class, onto its wooden platforms out on the pier, and its cosy pub/cafe. Something from another world now, the like of which we shall never see again <sigh>
scotsman
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Of all that I've ever visited (so, that's excluding Man Vic and Kirkgate for a start) - I'd be tempted to say Gleneagles. The station is a mess, rubbish everywhere, it's isolated and the only contact with the outside world is the help point. A bit of a joke for a station with an Intercity service.
Eric
Member
Wakefield Kirkgate for mine.
It's a dangerous place, even through the day but especially at night as it was on Look North not so long back that someone was mugged there while waiting for the train to Castleford.
The station buildings are derelict to boot.
It's a dangerous place, even through the day but especially at night as it was on Look North not so long back that someone was mugged there while waiting for the train to Castleford.
The station buildings are derelict to boot.
Sorry to be unimaginative but I'd vote for Wakefield Kirkgate aswell.
It's not just the station. It's the whole area. It's like the people round there are having a riot, but very very slowly. I get the feeling that the powers that be are scared of spending money on the station, in case it gets vandalised before the politicians turn up to reopen it.
It's a shame, because Kirkgate is well placed on the railway network, it's just in the wrong part of town. I'm 6'4'', built like the proverbial brick outhouse, and I wouldn't use it (or that part of town) after dark.
It's not just the station. It's the whole area. It's like the people round there are having a riot, but very very slowly. I get the feeling that the powers that be are scared of spending money on the station, in case it gets vandalised before the politicians turn up to reopen it.
It's a shame, because Kirkgate is well placed on the railway network, it's just in the wrong part of town. I'm 6'4'', built like the proverbial brick outhouse, and I wouldn't use it (or that part of town) after dark.
my home town of billingham gets my vote it gets set on fire, used as a toilet has a dodgy concrete bridge for access and is just plain awful. i give you BILLINGHAM.
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billingham_railway_station
The link ain't working just look on wikipedia.
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billingham_railway_station
The link ain't working just look on wikipedia.
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starrymarkb
Established Member
12CSVT
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Totally agree about Wakefield Kirkgate - an absolute disgrace for one of West Yorkshire's principal stations.
Also St Pancras is a nightmare in the peak hours if you are trying to interchange between the EMT platforms and the underground.
My vote for worst station on a preserved railway is Wallingford (Cholsey & Wallingford Railway) - a load of scruffy portacabins.
Also St Pancras is a nightmare in the peak hours if you are trying to interchange between the EMT platforms and the underground.
My vote for worst station on a preserved railway is Wallingford (Cholsey & Wallingford Railway) - a load of scruffy portacabins.
BrummyBoy
Member
Id say New Street is pretty bad for a major city terminus, despite this, when the station is finally rennovated i will miss it
Also Warrington B Q is pretty bad though only seen it from the train
Also Warrington B Q is pretty bad though only seen it from the train
Simon Poole
Member
Reading! from an photographer''s view, becuase you can't take photo properly, stand at one end oof the station with an digital camera and yoou can't get everything
They're both high on my list as well. High Street is pretty horrible, but Dalmarnock takes it to a whole new level. I hope the Commonwealth Games refurbishment makes it usable, because I definitely wouldn't want to have to use it after sunset.
A lot of the underground stations in Glasgow, such as Central Low Level, Anderston, Charing Cross... aren't very nice. But I think it just comes with being underground stations. Not really much you can do about it. In all fairness, Queen Street Low Level really has been brightened up over the years.
CarterUSM
Established Member
Yeah, that is a fair shout, though with the city centre stations, i think a refurb or modernization would work wonders. In addition, Gourock was pretty poor for years also.
scotsman
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Was? WAS? It still is!!!!
CarterUSM
Established Member
Do people actually think Kirkgate is dangerous? I've been there a few times, and never felt threatened or intimidated. Granted the subway is crap, but you could be mugged on any station if someone wanted to. All it needs is a bit of investment.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
Warrington Bank Quay - a toilet duck factory with a station bolted on the side!
route:oxford
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Gleneagles is a tired relic from the past.
It could be a really beautiful station, but it's unlikely that money will ever be spent on it to improve. Not sure who owns the disused part of the over-bridge, but it doesn't give a good impression.
A shame really, given the poor standard of the roads to Crieff and house building in Auchterarder, it would probably be beneficial for the route between Gleneagles to Crieff via Auchterarder to re-open.
dickdarlington
Member
My Grandparents live in Crieff and we used to use Gleneagles as our alighting stop. Unfortunately, now my grandad is too old to drive, and the bus service between Auchterader and Crieff is too sporadic for serious use. Dunblane, Stirling or Perth are the only options unless you have private transport to meet you.
It has been argued for a long time of the people in Crieff (generally the older folk) for the railway to re-open. But before we even consider the logistics, it's a non starter. Crieff has an aging population of about 6000. It's importance as a tourist destination is now all but over due to better transport links. As much as I love the wee town, it is nothing more than a satelite town for Perth and Stirling's commuters nowadays. It would not be financially viable to invest in a railway for such a small volume of people. The buses to Stirling (2 hourly) and Perth (hourly) could be increased, but this would more than suffice for the needs of the town.
sprinterguy
Veteran Member
Agreed!
As for Sunderland, I'm thoroughly disappointed that so much money has been spent on acheiving so little. Most of the funding seems to have been concentrated on a pointless "light wall" that does little for actual station illumination. There has definitely been an improvement, installing an escalator and the new seating are definitley positive points, but for a station that has just been refurbished it is still pretty bad overall. Could be and has been a lot worse though, so I shouldn't complain too much: It does the job of letting people catch trains. At least it's not Wakefield Kirkgate!
I think anyone concerned with the safety at Wakefield Kirkgate should make a complaint to the BTP. They have obviously failed to provide security and safety on the network they are required to protect. The appearance and layout of a station is one thing, but serious assaults and a rape (!) is something that urgently needs attention.
bradders1983
Member
Yes. And I'm a 27 year old male who can look after himself!
Everyone I know in Wakefield (including family) refuse to use it. The last time I used it was when I came back from Greenfield late one New Years Day, wasnt the nicest experience.
NLC1072
Member
Wembley Central, it's dark and wet and the NR platforms are just worryingly isolated from the rest of the station....
The 'urgent attention' required by Kirkgate is an appointment with a wrecking ball. Unfortunately these new express Leeds > Sheffield/Nottingham services have increased the number of trains to be rerouted in order to close Kirkgate and I doubt Westgate would have the capacity to accomodate them all.
MidnightFlyer
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With regards to Wakefield Kirkgate, this Facebook group looks good with well over 1,100 members:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48902326434
'Staff Our Stattion' - to be honest I think this would solve a lot of problems.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48902326434
'Staff Our Stattion' - to be honest I think this would solve a lot of problems.
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