Skip to content

Expansion of King's Cross Station (1852)

Introduction

King's Cross Station is one of the most iconic railway stations in London. Originally built for the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1852, it has undergone significant expansions over the years.

Key Facts

  • Original opening date: September 4, 1852
  • Original capacity: approximately 30,000 passengers per day
  • Total construction cost: £1 million (equivalent to around £80 million today)
  • Designed by architect Charles Barry and engineer James Wyatt
  • Originally served as the main terminus for the Great Western Railway

Historical Context

The GWR had been expanding rapidly in the 1850s, with new lines opening across the country. King's Cross was built to accommodate this growth and become a major hub for the railway network.

Significant Contributions

  • One of the earliest steam-powered locomotives in the world
  • Introduced the concept of platform layout and modern rail signage
  • Featured innovative architectural designs, including the use of brick and stone
  • Provided a key transportation link between London and the surrounding areas

Notable Attractions

  • Platform 7: features an iconic clock tower designed by architect Henry Irvin Bell
  • The Underground station: connects to several major lines in central London
  • The Royal Garden Bridge: spans the River Thames, connecting the city center with the north bank of the river
  • The City of London Guildhall: a historic building located nearby

Conclusion

King's Cross Station has played a significant role in shaping the UK's railway network and urban development. Its expansion in 1852 marked an important milestone in the growth of Britain's transportation infrastructure.

References

  • Wikipedia article on King's Cross Station (eng)
  • Historical records from the London Transport Museum (eng) [http://www.ltmuseum.org.uk/]
  • Images and details on the station can be found online, such as those from the British History Online database https://www.britishhistoryonline.org/ [Image description: A photograph of King's Cross Station in 1852.]#Key Facts

Introduction

King's Cross Station is one of the most iconic railway stations in London. Originally built for the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1852, it has undergone significant expansions over the years.

Historical Context

The GWR had been expanding rapidly in the 1850s, with

Metadata:

  • Model: llama-3.2-1b-instruct
  • Generation time: 2024-11-02 18:13:06
  • Keywords: Expansion of King's Cross Station (1852), wiki, history, attractions, facts
  • URL: https://worldbestplaces.com/places/expansion-of-kings-cross-station-1852