Entering by Train, which is the grubbiest and prettiest Cities you have arrived at?

Question

I've just had to travel through Bristol by train and from the East, the 1/2 mile before Bristol Temple Meads would put me off visiting Bristol completely, it looks so run down.

For me, Plymouth is nice from the West

What would you vote for in the 'worst and best categories'?

Answer 1

For me, the nicest looking towns to run through on the train are Paris, Ontario, and Ancaster and Dundas, Ontario.

Paris has a high trestle bridge crossing the Grand River, and a good portion of the town and the Grand River valley is visible from up there. Paris is a nice looking town to start with, and from my vantage point, it's even better.

While running the CN main line between Hamilton and London, Ontario, we pass through Dundas and Ancaster. This portion of the line climbs the side of the Niagara Escarpment, with the towns below the tracks in the bottom of the valley. A few times, I've rolled by in the waking hours of the day (5:00-7:00am), just as the towns were coming to life. Very cool scene, something a photo or even a video couldn't do justice.

As far as ugliest, grubbiest, and most depressing, I'd nominate Niagara Falls, New York, and Buffalo, New York.

Niagara Falls, NY is a dump throughout the city, but it's especially bad where the tracks run through. Brownfields, run down houses, and chemical factories that don't have any attractive features are all you'll ever see. A very depressing scene.

Admittedly, I have a soft spot for Buffalo, having grown up across Lake Erie from it. Despite this, I find Buffalo depressing, but not for the normal reasons. Buffalo used to be a huge railway hub, and an industrial powerhouse with a bustling population. These days, Buffalo is in decay - only a small fraction of the trackage remains, many factories and industrial complexes are closed, and the population is half of what it was at the city's peak. Even though we ride the rails through the absolute worst sections of the city, I still feel sorry for Buffalo, being a depressing shadow of it's former self.

Answer 2

Railroad operations aren't usually found in the nicest or prettiest parts of cities or large towns.

But, when entering the town of Bend, Oregon, where the whole town is very much "upscale," it really is a beautiful place. No ne'er do wells present. The yard office is sandwiched between a Mercedes dealership one one side and a Porsche dealership on the other, by way of example.

This is on the BNSF line running from the UP tracks in Chiloquin, Oregon to Bend. I only got to make the trip a couple of times when the UP had trackage rights over the territory to run trains carrying sugar beets.

The grubbiest, as well as the most dangerous, was without doubt Oakland, California. Truely a scarey place.

Answer 3

Bath is an attractive place to approach by rail especially from the south-east (via the line from Westbury), while you're right about Bristol. I've travelled through there by train and it makes my heart sink.

If you got off the train at Temple Meads and walked around or caught a bus to the centre your impressions would not be improved.

Cologne is quite impressive. If you get out at the main station you are right next to the Cathedral which is well worth a visit if you ever happen to be there.

Answer 4

The main exit from Liverpool Lime Street, the magnificent St Georges Hall across the street.

The grubbiest Manchester Victoria.

Answer 5

I've enjoyed taking the Deutsche Bahn railway in Germany, and one of the prettiest cities to arrive to was the baroque city of Dresden along the Elbe river. They have been doing a lot of rebuilding during the last few decades.

The grubbiest city would have to be before Prague in the Czech Republic. There are a lot of derelict work yards and buildings.

Cheers,

Petra M, Vancouver

Answer 6

Entering Bath from either direction, but especially from the East, is a pleasure. Mr Brunel's architecture does the city proud.

One of the ghastliest entries to a city that I've encountered is the line into Paris Gare Du Nord.

If you had entered Bristol TM from the Cardiff direction it would have looked a bit better (less grotty).

Answer 7

Cologne by far on My travels when coming in from the German side of the Rhine, ugly derelict buildings, graffitti everywhere and a really dirty suburban train service from the airport.
A close second would be Fenchurch St London on the line out to Southend
Then Cherbourg was ick
Most railway stations by their nature are ugly, the platforms and concourse may look good, but dont look into the 4ft (between tracks) unless you have a strong stomach sometimes.

Answer 8

For a mind blowing experience it's got to be Venice Train Station, when you come out of the station you see a sight that stays with you for years. When you are on the train you just see the lagoon and have no idea what is going to hit you when you disembark.

The grubbiest was going into Manchester Piccadilly.

Answer 9

My commute (Exmouth - Exeter) is a wonderful run alongside the Exe Esturay.

Agree on the approach to Plymouth across the Brunel Bridge, it would be nicer still if it wasn't for the Naval base!

Answer 10

Worst for me is London (travelling from Gatwick Airport), especially if you have come from somewhere nice, like Canada. The outskirts of London looks horrible, and the attitude of the locals is depressing.

Best, I think, is York. Lovely countryside on all approaches, and the station itself is good to look at.