Great Western Coffee Shop

Sideshoots - associated subjects => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: JayMac on May 12, 2010, 05:25:56



Title: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: JayMac on May 12, 2010, 05:25:56
Following on from the competition mentioned in  this thread (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=6739.msg67097#msg67097), I thought I'd put a shout out for pictures of the worst aspects of FGW's network. Trains, tracks, stations...... whatever. Just for fun!

I'll start off with a pic of the unsightly former Royal Mail conveyor at the London end of Bristol Temple Meads:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/Picture248.jpg)


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Phil on May 12, 2010, 06:33:58
See, I'm rather fond of that, in a strange post-industrialist brutalistic kind of way. The fact that it's made of corrugated steel gives it a kind of temporal quirkiness.

I can't bring myself to photograph what I consider the worst aspect of my local station, Westbury; but anyone who's ever stood on the platform and looked down at the track will probably know what I mean...


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Worcester_Passenger on May 12, 2010, 06:39:56
Perhaps we could treat this as a "worst of the week" competition...


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Brucey on May 12, 2010, 07:44:05
I'll start off with a pic of the unsightly former Royal Mail conveyor at the London end of Bristol Temple Meads:
I don't think the conveyor is the problem.  It is the derelict Royal Mail building that welcomes visitors into Bristol which is certainly an awful site.


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: eightf48544 on May 12, 2010, 10:25:02
I agree with Brucey the East? side of Temple Meads is a real mess.

I also nominate the huge block of flats that's built almost over Hayes station on the Up Side.


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Btline on May 12, 2010, 14:09:22
What about that monstrosity they put up in front of Shrub Hill?


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 12, 2010, 20:26:11
Indeed, the derelict Royal Mail building at Bristol Temple Meads has prompted various concerns on this forum before - see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5686.0  ::)


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Cruithne3753 on May 12, 2010, 20:40:46
I can't bring myself to photograph what I consider the worst aspect of my local station, Westbury; but anyone who's ever stood on the platform and looked down at the track will probably know what I mean...

I noticed a dollop of what-I-think-you-mean about a month ago at Filton Abbey Wood...


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: matt473 on May 12, 2010, 21:29:17
What about the dump that exists just outside Port Talbot station  :D


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Phil on May 12, 2010, 21:51:12
What about the dump that exists just outside Port Talbot station  :D

You'll get into a lot of trouble on here describing Wales as a dump!  :o  ;D


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: matt473 on May 12, 2010, 22:57:07
What about the dump that exists just outside Port Talbot station  :D

You'll get into a lot of trouble on here describing Wales as a dump!  :o  ;D

I've lived there long enough to qualify methinks  :P


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 12, 2010, 23:25:38
To be fair, Network Rail do try to tidy up after people in Wales - from their press release (http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Press-Releases/RAIL-CLEAN-UP-WORK-GETS-BARRY-TIDY-13f8/SearchCategoryID-7.aspx):

Quote
RAIL CLEAN UP WORK GETS BARRY TIDY

Network Rail has sent a clean-up squad to clear away masses of rubbish illegally dumped near to Barry railway station over the weekend.
The effort has helped to spruce-up the surroundings of the town^s gateway in time for summer, when Barry Island becomes busy with tourists.
The land near to Barry station was blighted by all sorts of litter, including a car bumper, beer cans, crisp wrappers and takeaway boxes.  The litter was not only an eyesore but could also cause problems to the operation of the railway. 
The two-day operation saw the team removed a large skip of litter and made the extra efforts to clear away unsightly weeds.
Jack Hitchcock, western maintenance director for Network Rail, said: ^There is a big problem with littering in this area and this type of behaviour is inconsiderate. Not only is it an eyesore, it may also encourage vermin onto the railway embankment and the surrounding areas. This clean-up will help make a massive difference to the area, making it more welcoming and greatly improve the environment for the community. After everyone^s hard work we hope the area remains clean and tidy, and we will be working closely with the council to stamp out this problem.^
Fly-tipping on the railway is illegal and carries a fine of up to ^1000.  Each year Network Rail spends large amounts of money removing fly-tipped rubbish and litter from railway property ^ money that could otherwise be invested in improving the railway.


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: Henry on May 13, 2010, 08:13:54

 The old Dairy Crest building on the up-side at Totnes is gradually declining into an eye-sore.

 That combined with the odour of the 'water treatment works', which often is not disguised by the fragrance of the
 'all day breakfast' from the Signal Box cafe.


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on May 13, 2010, 17:37:06
isn't it pretty.................

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/4021756819/sizes/l/)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4021756819_ce4fbb2f21_b.jpg)


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: JayMac on May 13, 2010, 18:54:16
I think I recognise that location.......


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: thetrout on May 13, 2010, 18:57:21
There is a rather nasty derelict site near Bridgwater that is a bit of an eyesore...! But I think they're slowly taking it all down :)


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: JayMac on May 13, 2010, 19:13:56
Yep, the old British Cellophane site. Once the source of Bridgwater's unique odour. I think the 'they' that are slowly taking it down include the local scrotes!!


Title: Re: Great Western's worst rail views wanted for 'The Lighter Side'
Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on May 15, 2010, 11:45:34
 :D



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