Preston railway station in Preston, Lancashire, England, is a major station on the West Coast Main Line, roughly half-way between London Euston and Glasgow Central - it is around 200 miles or 2 1/4 hours or so from both - that being said is right in the middle of the two, it is quite an important station, operated by Virgin Trains but I'd even go as far to say this is one of the worst Category B stations I've visited (On the contrast I find the likes of Brighton and Stockport to be the best)
The station is mainly used by Virgin Trains who provide routes to destinations such as London, Glasgow and Blackpool but is also used by other services such as Northern (Slow train into Manchester and Greater Manchester towns as well as offering services to Blackpool, York and Liverpool) and TPExpress (fast services into Manchester Piccadilly in 36 minutes, Manchester Airport and Glasgow/Edinburgh. Caledonian Sleeper trains also pass through here, once per day in both directions (London/Scotland)
For a nine platform station, it still feels pretty small, unlike virtually every other main train station which is the main one of a city/category B and above there isn't a WHSmith - nor is there much at the station nonetheless other than a few coffees stands with little seating, and a Starbucks which couldn't serve food OR COFFEE! (Come on... are they called Starbucks tea or Starbucks coffee?)
The ticket area is pretty small and it does close even at busy times in the evening - meaning it can be hard to find a member of staff. When I did find a staff member they did seem friendly enough even though they had thousands of football fans singing after watching Manchester City defeat Preston North End 3-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
It is in a good location for the centre, being only a short walk away from the shopping area, and two stops on the bus from the bus station with cabs outside the station.
2* - Poor facilities in the station but a good location, with friendly enough staff for the extra star. read more