For Train "Nerds" stations -- Best and worst (Architecture not service)

jimbo45 said:

Hi folks

I'm sure there's plenty of train spotters etc on these forums as well as regular users.
Just thought I'd try something different for a change.

Any seasoned travelers -- interesting to see what you consider the best and worst train stations from an archtectural point of view -- decent major city ones nor rural spots !!

Best in my order of preference :

1) St. Pancras Eurostar terminal --London England -- Brilliant elegantly restored Victorian Gothic masterpiece -- unbelivably at one time UK Govt was going to knock it down for "Modernising" !!!!!
2) Union Station Los Angeles -- CA USA Absolutely fabulous architecture in a stunning location surrounded by those palm trees evoking thoughts of Beach, Summer hols / vacations etc
3) Grand Central New York -- NY USA lovely art-deco classic type architecture in a place that just makes you feel excited before even joining a train.
4) West Palm Beach Florida USA station (lynx) -- modern --- shows that not all modern architecture has to be hideous.
5) Amsterdam Central station The Netherlands -- looks like a magnificent Gothic cathedral and the whole area has been totally cleaned up and made safe, Would merit higher consideration but the "tacky" shed like Eurostar international terminal (for channel tunnel and direct trains to UK) lets it down.

(Some nice stations in China too --but they are so huge and impersonal)

Worst

1) The Pits !! most hideous I've ever seen Euston Station London England -- absolute dark dangy monstrosity of the most hideous 1960's "Brutalist" concrete architecture putting even Soviet style
2) Gare du Nord Paris -- France. just above Euston in London for ugliness -- but area around the station is incredibly dangerous unlike London's Euston which is reasonably safe.

plenty more but this is too depressing !!!!

What surprises me is that the USA, a country not known for Rail travel has some brilliant stations !!!.

Plenty of pics on the net so no need to produce my poor efforts at architectural photography as these sorts of places usually have plenty of traffic etc and are challenging at best for amateurs.


Cheers
jimbo

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