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123/124 - London Waterloo Station

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123/124 - London Waterloo Station

Replacing the first terminus of the London & Southampton Railway at Nine Elms, Waterloo Station was opened in 1848 by the London & South Western Railway as part of extending the line two miles to be nearer the city. This original station, known as ‘central station’, had six platforms. From its very earliest days the station was popular with race goers travelling to Epsom; the original station opening in 1848 was brought forward a week to enable passengers to travel to the Derby by rail for the first time. Through the remainder of the 19th century, Waterloo was extended in an ad-hoc way to cope with demand. In 1860 the ‘Windsor station’ was opened on the north-west side of the original central platforms. In 1878 Waterloo gained an additional two platforms on the south-east side for mainline suburban trains in an extension known as the ‘south station’. In 1885 the ‘north’ station was opened, adding a further six platforms bringing the total at Waterloo to eighteen. It was however a confusing station for passengers with platforms divided between four different sections of the station, unclear platform numbering, four areas which were classed as concourses and poor information displays. There were significant delays to services as the whole station was served by just four approach lines, and difficult ticketing arrangements with rival railway companies such as the South Eastern Railway did not help. In 1899 London & South Western Railway (as the London & Southampton had become) sought permission to completely rebuild and expand the station. The Company sent its chief engineer J W Jacomb-Hood to America to gather information on termini buildings to assist its redesign. Over twenty years as building work took place, Waterloo became a spacious station with a large open concourse. With 21 platforms under a huge ridge-and-furrow roof it became light and airy compared to the dark maze it once was. Widely praised for its architecture, the new curved building to the front of the station housed the LSWR’s offices and facilities for passengers including a large booking hall and upstairs dining room which were simple and elegant with Georgian style panelling in the dining room and Edwardian decoration in the bars. As the station rebuild was drawing to a close, and as a memorial to their staff that died in the First World War, the LSWR commissioned the Victory Arch; designed by J R Scott, their chief architect and made of Portland stone and bronze it depicts War and Peace, with Britannia holding the torch of liberty above. Leading from Station Approach onto the concourse, the Victory Arch forms the main entrance to Waterloo. Waterloo remained largely unchanged until early 1990s when platforms 20 and 21 were demolished to make way for Waterloo International. Opened in 1994 this was the terminus for Eurostar services running through the new Channel Tunnel. However on completion of the new high speed line in 2007, Eurostar services were taken instead to St Pancras and the international platforms at Waterloo closed. In July 2012 a first-floor balcony opened at Waterloo to help reduce congestion at the station in time for the London Olympic Games. Space has been created for passengers on the concourse by repositioning shops from the middle of the main concourse onto the balcony. With new escalators and lifts Waterloo station now provides step-free access to its neighbouring station, Waterloo East.

Network Rail Corporate Archive

Level of Description: Series

Reference Code: NRCA163119 - NRCA163278

Title: London Waterloo Station

Extent and Medium: 79 drawings

Creator: London and South Western Railway

Date: 1848-1922

Scope and Content: 79 drawings of London Waterloo Station

Contract Number: London Waterloo Station

Drawing Number: n/a

Drawing Office Number: n/a

Keywords (Country): England

Keywords (Structure Name): London Waterloo Station

Keywords (Structure Type): Station

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Title

Description

Date

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Enlargement Offices Elevation to Waterloo Road

one drawing on one sheet showing the end elevation of the Waterloo Station offices.

01 February 1909

British Railways Board London Waterloo Station – Artists Impression of Exterior of Station

Drawing is an architect impression of proposed exterior station buildings for Waterloo Station by JGL Poulson Architect. The drawing shows a Waterloo Station building next to a busy road with cars, buses and many people. Blossom trees drawn along road side. Covered bridge for pedestrians also shown leading from one of the station buildings. Drawing is signed by Frank Booth.

[1964]

British Railways Board London Waterloo Station – Artists Impression of Interior of Station

Drawing is an architect impression of Waterloo Station in London by JGL Poulson Architect. The drawing shows an interior of the station from floor to ceiling with people inside. Drawing includes advertisements for the United States, Brighton, L'Opera Paris and Sabena Boeing International. Drawing includes details for shops including Maynard and a tobacconist. Drawing also shows ticket office and left luggage. Stairs to platform are also shown. Drawing is signed by Frank Booth.

[1964]

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Improvements Main Line Side Proposed New Offices

Four drawings on one sheet showing elevations and plans.

31 October 1877

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Sketch of Main Entrance [Victory Arch]

Drawing is of the main entrance to Waterloo Station known as the Victory Arch. The drawing shows the design for the arch including people in the foreground. Signed by J R Scott

1921-1922

Waterloo Improvements, Windsor Line Side – Roofing Over the Platforms

Drawings showing sections of the roof, with details

no date c.1878

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Enlargement Offices Extension No.3 Main Staircase Details

Drawing showing main staircase details, and Section A-B

17 November 1920

Southern Railway Waterloo Station – Air Raid Precautions [A.R.P.] Proposed Protection of Public Announcement Box

Four drawings on one sheet. Three sections showing Public Announcement Box and one drawing of a general plan of Waterloo Station showing positioning of Box.

30 September 1940

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Enclosure to Opening over Entrance to Gents Court

Sections, plans and details for entrance to the gentleman's court at Waterloo Station, including signage for lavatory and hairdressing.

26 May 1910

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Proposed Lamps at Approach Roadway &c

Four drawings showing side elevations and front elevations of lamps at main approach and at main entrance, Waterloo Station.

12 December 1921

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Enlargement Roofing Contract No.2 Glazing General Plan and Details of Sloping Roof Above South Screen

Five drawings on one sheet showing general plan and details of sloping roof above south screen at Waterloo Station

01 May 1908

Southern Railway Waterloo Station – Proposed Air Raid Shelter Ground Floor Plan

Two drawings on one sheet. First drawing is a general plan of the air raid shelter showing rooms A-R over two floors. Second drawing is of section of the air raid shelter at A-A. Two tables of figures also included showing capacity of persons per room.

02 April 1940

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Enlargement Gates Across Approach Road at York Street

Six drawings on one sheet. Three drawings of elevations of fencing, one general plan and two drawings of standard cross sections of posts.

April 1926

Southern Railway Waterloo Station – Air Raid Damage Plan

One drawing on one sheet. General plan showing arches to be repaired sue to air raid damage in 1941 hatched black and red.

June 1941

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station – Enlargement Continuation of Front to Waterloo Road

Elevation to Waterloo Road, Elevation to Cab Yard, Plan at lower level of Waterloo Road and Plan at upper level of Waterloo Road, 2 Section plans these include annotations

October 1912