Grimmest, most dismal approach to a station?

[kevconnor]

The approach to Sheffield from the north under all the endless dank bridges, especially when you have to wait at the signals within them, is quite horrible.

I use to work in Sheffield and a gentleman I worked with did that run every day. He said he use to love it in the past when there was the proper heavy industry going through the Don Valley up towards Meadowhell, there were all kinds of sights to be seen in various metal works that were about, not much to be seen there now mind, there is still plenty of industry but it is all out of sight.

I don't like to enter is Llandudno Junction, this part of the North Wales branch line unfairly masks the beauty of the town of Llandudno, whoever was last in charge of redeveloping this part of the town (station included) seemed to be under the mantra of 'that'll do', everything looks half finished. This is in stark contrast to one of my favorite stations on the network up the way at Conwy; Both from an engineering (Stevensons Tubular bridge) and aesthetic point (Conwy Town).

Not so much entering a station but I always was wary when leaving Failsworth on the old Oldham Loop, the incline became rather steep and it always seemed that the pacers that were invariably scheduled would struggle to make it up to Hollinwood. It always felt like the conductor would need to make an announcement for any heavy objects to be discarded for us to be able to make it up there. I can only imagine how they would have coped with the The Werneth incline had it been retained.

 

[Techniquest]

The approach to Walsall past Bescot - a decaying canal underneath a forest of concrete pillars supporting the M6 viaduct on one side, and decaying/abandoned railway structures and vehicles in Bescot yard on the other (and I think there are some powerlines as well to add to the scenery!). Then you get to Walsall station with a very dark tunnel at the far end, and the back side of a shopping centre to look at - which also manages to hide the street entrance to the station quite well, as far as I remember - and to access one of the platforms you have to go out the entrance and down a side street....

Very good points, Walsall is a bit strange for that platform access thing. T'was most annoying on my last visit to the Chase Line, on a limited amount of time between one train and the next was bad enough without having that extra hassle. Good thing the train was a few minutes late!

I do wonder what they intend to do with the former RMT at Walsall, looking most out of place and forlorn now. Bristol Parkway's one went and now the place looks more modern following the new NR building.

 

[Hophead]

It's not an approach, but Three Bridges to Horsham feels pretty grimy and grim at times.

Through Crawley town centre, past West Green Park and Ifield's back gardens; 4-5 miles of open country, with good views both sides; more back gardens, the Novartis[1] site and a few sidings?

You are a delicate flower, aren't you? 'Grimy and grim' it ain't. Sorry.


[1] the 'former Novartis site' if you're reading this in the near future.

 

[DiscoStu]

I think the whole line between New Street and Wolverhampton is pretty dreadful, but I'd say New Street has the worst approach I know of.

I haven't been there for many, many years, but I always thought the approach to Haymarket from the Carstairs direction was pretty depressing on a cold, misty morning. It actually appeared in one of my dreams a few months ago, which I thought was strange.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Before we run ourselves down too much, nothing in the UK is as bad as the approach to Paris Nord, or Milano Centrale, or Roma Termini.
They have given up on the graffiti, which covers every conceivable surface for many km.
And these are the much admired state-owned infrastructure companies.

 

[DiscoStu]

Before we run ourselves down too much, nothing in the UK is as bad as the approach to Paris Nord, or Milano Centrale, or Roma Termini.
They have given up on the graffiti, which covers every conceivable surface for many km.
And these are the much admired state-owned infrastructure companies.

Brussels Midi to Brussel Nord as well ...

 

[thenorthern]

Longport in Stoke-on-Trent is quite bad and so is Peartree.

 

[nw1]

Before we run ourselves down too much, nothing in the UK is as bad as the approach to Paris Nord, or Milano Centrale, or Roma Termini.
They have given up on the graffiti, which covers every conceivable surface for many km.
And these are the much admired state-owned infrastructure companies.

Would agree the approach to Paris Nord is quite "gritty" - wasteland punctuated with huge tower blocks with massive neon signs advertising phone manufacturers - same goes for the approach to Frankfurt Hbf from the Cologne direction. That said like some others here I don't actually mind such surroundings as a small part of a train journey - it has a certain interest, though I'd agree, not the sort of areas you'd go on holiday.

I have noticed that "brutal" industrial landscapes tend to be more prevalent in certain other countries - such as France and the USA - than the UK: different planning laws? One feature of some countries for instance are sets of pylon lines 10-abreast, there are some of those just outside Paris about where the LGV goes onto the classic line, and similar instances in the LA area. We don't seem to go in for that here.

 

[aaronJC]

My vote goes to the short stretch between New Clee and Grimsby Docks.

 

[AndrewP]

There's one superb tower block there though. Might even be listed, with it's own lift shaft tower linked by bridges.

More info on Trellick Tower as designed by Erno Goldfinger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower

It also has an East London brother.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfron_Tower

 

[danielson00]

East Croydon, any direction

 

[Kite159]

Has the approach to Southampton Central from the East been mentioned yet?

Yep

Western approach is OK, only for the potential spots in the dock areas

 

[Statto]

Broad Green or Edge Hill TMD into Liverpool Lime Street is awful as is approaching St Helens Central from Liverpool, also the approaches to Chester are grim.

 

[MK Tom]

A second vote for Stoke on Trent from the north for me. Very wastelandy, and a lot of abandoned railway land. The approach to Northampton from the north is similar.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

The worst I have ever seen us no longer with us - the approach to Glasgow St Enoch in its last days which went past the partly demolished Gorbals slums. It seemed incredible to me that people could still be living in such conditions.

 

[Andrewlong]

East Croydon, any direction

The short stretch coming into the station from the north isn't the best but to be honest the town has seen better days with a collection of dreary office blocks.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Can I nominate Smethwick Galton Bridge coming from Rowley Regis. First you pass thought the wastelands and industrial backwaters of Langley Green then you pass some okish houses then the derelict platforms of Smethwick West pounce upon you before turning the corner to SGB.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Through Crawley town centre, past West Green Park and Ifield's back gardens; 4-5 miles of open country, with good views both sides; more back gardens, the Novartis[1] site and a few sidings?

You are a delicate flower, aren't you? 'Grimy and grim' it ain't. Sorry.


[1] the 'former Novartis site' if you're reading this in the near future.

My apologies, I was wrong (I've travelled between Three Bridges and Horsham less than thrice in my entire life), and was thinking of Three Bridges to Crawley. Human perception seems to be that negative events (such as a man urinating against a lineside fence) are remembered so I'm sure it's lovely really.

There was no need for your disgusting tone and attitude, which has upset me. I can assure you my thin skin is temporary, thanks to an irl incident.

-Vera

 

[Howardh]

Approaching Salford Crescent from Bolton. Happily the rest of the journey into Victoria or Piccadilly is much better now, occasionally makes you want to get off the train and explore! Twenty or so years ago it was just so grim....

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The few miles towards Manchester Piccadilly from Guide Bridge sidings to Ardwick aren't pretty... Not only for all the litter and fly-tipped junk or the 'interesting' scenery (Police dog training area, anyone?) but also the short-sighted construction of platform ramps at Gorton etc. across the lifted 3rd and 4th tracks: Things like that are just depressing!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Bradford Interchange, from Leeds. Down past the chicken rendering plant, derelict mills and the bus depot, and then into cuttings.

 

[Mex]

Glasgow Queen Street low level.

The recent cultural vandalism undertaken at LL doesn't help either.

 

[tsr]

Has anyone mentioned Lowestoft? It can be so grim - especially in dank weather - that it's actually fairly dramatic. There can still be some interesting activities relating to marine industries, but in general, the approach is not utterly delightful.

 

[chris89]

The recent cultural vandalism undertaken at LL doesn't help either.

Which is? (Sorry haven't been to LL Queen Street since Feb ish time, since Edinburgh is quicker to get to when up in that part of Scotland)

Chris

 

[frodshamfella]

I used to commute into Charing Cross and later Cannon Street many years ago. Nice glass roof nice and bight, and had a feeling of a terminus. All long gone, now its dark and cramped, and I think they did similar job to Cannon Street. Horrid.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I used to commute into Charing Cross and later Cannon Street many years ago. Nice glass roof nice and bight, and had a feeling of a terminus. All long gone, now its dark and cramped, and I think they did similar job to Cannon Street. Horrid.

I agree with your points entirely, though this thread is for the views (or lack of) when approaching:- and Charing Cross has lovely views of the Thames!

 

[waterlooroader]

My daily commute sees me take the train from Coseley to Telford, so I can understand what people are saying about the approach to Wolverhampton; boarded up factories, demolished industrial units, decaying units down by the canal and the old steel works now largely condemned (Although it does still make a little steel)

For me, as unpleasant as it is for some to take the train through working industrial areas, it is far worse to go through abandoned industrial areas like at Wolverhampton.

To that end, I would have to agree that the approach to Wolves is pretty depressing. I would also put Ellesemere Port into that category; seems like there is a large part of the landscape missing since the old Robinson's Metal works were demolished.

 

[59CosG95]

I used to commute into Charing Cross and later Cannon Street many years ago. Nice glass roof nice and bight, and had a feeling of a terminus. All long gone, now its dark and cramped, and I think they did similar job to Cannon Street. Horrid.

Victoria's Brighton side concourse is a real "sight for sore eyes" as well. At least Euston's roof is a little bit above the trains due to OHLE clearance. And I don't see the problem with St Pancras' (immediate) approaches overlooking London.

 

[Hophead]

My apologies, I was wrong (I've travelled between Three Bridges and Horsham less than thrice in my entire life), and was thinking of Three Bridges to Crawley. Human perception seems to be that negative events (such as a man urinating against a lineside fence) are remembered so I'm sure it's lovely really.

There was no need for your disgusting tone and attitude, which has upset me. I can assure you my thin skin is temporary, thanks to an irl incident.

-Vera

Sorry, GD - I got the tone all wrong

 

[Strathclyder]

Which is? (Sorry haven't been to LL Queen Street since Feb ish time, since Edinburgh is quicker to get to when up in that part of Scotland)

Chris

The yellow seating/paneling is getting removed from Queen Street LL & is getting replaced by this: