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Monday 14 April 2014

Charing Cross Station Celebrates 150 Years


Charing Cross Station had a wee bit of a celebration on Saturday to mark its 150th anniversary.  It should have been back in January as the first train pulled out of the station on 11 January 1864, crossing the imposing steel Hungerford bridge.  The bridge was not popular as many thought it ugly and wanted the station moved to the other side of the river and the bridge removed.  It remains today with a foot bridge on either side of it.

The original station had a grandiose roof, much like that of St Pancras, but there was a bit of a catastrophe in 1905 when a rage section of the roof collapsed killing 6 people.  Replacing the roof and constructing the additions for the new northern line took a year, reopening on March 1906.

Back to the celebrations, it was a lovely sunny day on Saturday so perfect for a wee party and a reason to dress up like our ancestors.  There were a few market stalls in the courtyard in front of the station selling produce from Kent.  Although a rather understated celebration it is a significant milestone for the railway station.

6 comments:

Stefan Jansson said...

This guy sure knows how to dress.

Sharon said...

I would have enjoyed this event I'm sure.

William Kendall said...

This chap's well dressed!

Jack said...

Your friend's vest (waistcoat) is showing about three inches of white shirt underneath. I am so tall that it would probably show a foot of shirt. C'mon, lad, some attention to detail!

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Very dapper I must say

VP said...

You just reminded me how I miss London! we have to come back as soon as possible...

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