LONDON'S GREAT RAILWAY STATIONS

This lavish photographic history of the most beautiful and historic railway stations in London tells a story of power, progress and innovation from the beginning of steam age to the commuter hubs of today and the major reconstructions at which they are the centrepieces of transformation of whole swathes of London, from Paddington to King's Cross. Benjamin Graham's new, commissioned photographs will remind you of just how fabulous many of these stations are from the wrought-iron roof spandrels of Brunel's train shed at Paddington Station of 1854 with decorative metalwork to the restored neo-classical façade of Unilever House on the Embankment built in 1931 and completed in 2012, and Waterloo Station with the arched roof of the former Eurostar terminal built in the 1990s to Canary Wharf. The 21st century has seen the redevelopment of St Pancras with the extended wing of the Midland Hotel, the British Library in the centre and the Francis Crick Institute, both on the former Somers Town Goods Yard. There is a useful list of station opening dates with existing and closed stations at the beginning of this formidable gallery of architectural delight. One charming illustration on page 154 is of one of the big Tilbury tanks named Thundersley, elaborately decorated to celebrate the coronation of King George V in 1911, now preserved. London has more mainline railway stations than any other city of the world and many of them are grand architectural monuments. Here is a comprehensive story combining an historical overview, archive illustrations and specially commissioned beautiful modern colour photography with informative captions. It includes a history about damage during the war and the new generation of high speed trains, but most of all this is a big and beautiful coffee table book of contemporary railway architecture. The 13 stations are Paddington, Marylebone, Euston, St Pancras, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, Charing Cross, Waterloo and Victoria. 272 pages, 26 x 30.5cm.
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