Rochdale Railway Station

As far as train stations go Rochdale is perhaps one of the worst I’ve been to. The only reason why I choose to travel from here is that the tickets are cheap and it provides a good connection to both Manchester and Leeds. I grew up around the area and it hasn’t really changed over the years like a lot of other stations have.
There are no facilities aside from one shop and even the waiting areas are dismal and bleak… probably made worse by the horrible weather that you are generally guaranteed in this neck of the woods. The staff are normally a bit grumpy so I choose to pick up my tickets from the collection machine. Overall not a lot of good things to say… avoid if you have the choice!

Rochdale Station is certainly not Piccadily — It has basically no facilities, but a few shops outside, it does have a ticket booth and a waiting room type thing but that is it when it comes to shelter.
Since 1979 Rochdale has just had 3 platforms, with trains going to the likes of Leeds and Manchester Victoria.
The only reason I chosen to go from Rochdale is because of cheap tickets, infact all other local stations charged me more than Rochdale as it was just about £10.75 for an Adult return ticket to Leeds.
If you do go to this staton, I would advise going to one of the shops across the way or stopping at one of the garages or newsagents you pass when you come here, I actually passed 3 garages on the way here from Middleton, funny enough from 3 different companies.
One thing I don’t understand is the size of the lift because it is absaloutly massive, the biggest I have ever been in, even bigger tham those at larger stations like Manchester, Leeds and most certainly shopping centres.
Rochdale is a station I can’t give many stars to simply because its facilities are so poor and it really isn’t a nice train station, as you walk in to the staircase /​lift. I only give 2 stars because of the cheaper tickets I found from this station, honestly it is a dump really and I couldn’t wait to get out of here when I was waiting for my train to Leeds and after I got my train back. Northern Rail mainly operate this station and their commitment to always being late certainly doesn’t help push up the rating of the station but that is another review.

Imagine if you will a Dentists, not just any Dentists but a Dentists that also doubles up as a torture chamber. Now imagine that this Dentists/​torture chamber is staffed by some of the most evil beings that were ever spewed forth upon the earth, you know the type, Nazi’s, despotic tyrants, American Republicans, Barney the Dinosaur and Jedward. I’m talking EVIL here! Did I also mention that this Dentist/​torture chamber is dark? Really dark!!! And you’re naked? I didn’t? well it is and you are… And the Tarantulas, how could I forget the Tarantulas??? As big as a child they are!!! In fact I think the Republicans feed children to the Tarantulas whilst you are forced to watch!!! Now multiply all this by 10 and you have Rochdale Train Station… RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!

over the last few months this station has been undergoing a full refurbishment witch includes 2 new waiting areas, new bike stands, new departure boards and new flooring from the enterence to the booking office

I discovered getting on and off at Rochdale as opposed to Manchester Vic was a bit cheaper on the pocket when getting to and from Leeds, but there’s a penance to pay. The train station is a bit dire. Rochdale’s a bit dire to be fair. The surrounding area is grim, and at night, when I’m often boarding and alighting my trains, if I don’t have a ride waiting for me, it’s a case of bide your time until the ride shows and make sure you’re in view of CCTV.
The train station itself only has a couple of platform directions, you go up the stairs and head left or right, one going into Manchester and one heading out of Manchester, so it’s easy to navigate around. There are no self service machines, and despite a few members of staff floating around behind the one presumes bullet proof glass, there’s always a queue for tickets, and the fear that you’ll miss your train. Should your train be delayed, there’s a grand total of not a lot in the way of entertainment or supplements, so pack a drink and some sustenance. When it’s cold it’s FREEZING! Even waiting inside the station it’s ruddy cold. Actually there aren’t many positives to Rochdale Station, aside from it’s convenience and cheaper value for money status.

I think as train stations go this one isn’t too bad as it IS staffed, which gives it that bit of a secure feel but you still get your share of strange people hanging around and the last time I visited Rochdale the lift stank of urine but I didn’t really want to tackle the stairway with a my one year old and the pushchair.