Eurostar | Tracking the Light

We boarded at Lille Europe and flew a cross northern France on the ground. Breakfast was served to us by the staff. There was a minor delay at Calais and then we plunged into the darkness of the Channel Tunnel.

The Eurostar approaches! Lille Europe station is a modern facility with all the charm of an airport.

Breakfast (with tea!) was served on board soon after departing Lille.

In 1980, my brother was the first to photograph his meal (served on a World Airways DC-10). I'm following his example and not that of the millions of copycats. — In 1980, my brother was the first to photograph his meal (served on a World Airways DC-10). I’m following his example and not that of the millions of copycats.

We sat at Calais for a while. At least there was some entertainment such as this 'LeShuttle'. — We sat at Calais for a while. At least there was some entertainment such as this ‘LeShuttle’.

Twenty Five minutes later we emerged again and were soon sailing across southern England toward London. My dad’s phone calculated our speed at 181 mph.

Soon the buildings began to look familiar. I recognized the M25 bridge.

English countryside blurring by at more than 180mph.

Approaching London; there's the M25 bridge. — Approaching London; there’s the M25 bridge.

And before we knew it we’d arrived at St. Pancras, London’s most elegant 19^th century railway terminal. Last time I’d taken the Eurostar I’d come into Waterloo, and that wasn’t yesterday!

This is a selection of Lumix LX7 photos from the recent trip.

Would you like to read more about St. Pancras? I’ve written about this station in my new book Railway Depots, Stations and Terminals published by Voyageur Press.

The famous ballon-style train-shed at St. Pancras was the first of its kind in the world. — The famous balloon-style train-shed at St. Pancras was the first of its kind in the world.

Morning sun filters through the skylights.

Panoramic composite of our Eurostar set under the famous shed.

There's an hour time difference between Lille and London. — There’s an hour time difference between Lille and London.

In 2007, St Pancras was re-opened following a compressive upgrading of facilities. Do you remember the dark dingy hole of the mid-1990s?

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A brief photographic tour from April 2013.

Kings Cross renovation — Signage around Kings Cross helps place renovations and modernization in context. St Pancras looms in the distance. Lumix LX3 photo.

During my wanders around London in April 2013, I visited a variety of London’s stations. For me, London’s stations are far more interesting than the trains. Where the trains tend to be fleets of modern multiple-units, the stations range from Victorian gems to austere examples of Lego-block architecture.

My favorite station is St Pancras. This is a classic railway cathedral. A few years ago it was transformed in to a modern multimodal center. Today, it serves as an international station as well as both a long distance and commuter railway station. It features a shopping mall and luxury hotel. Most impressive is the original architecture, including the pioneer example of a balloon-style arched train-shed, which has been successful integrated into a modern facility.

Kings Cross is adjacent to St Pancras. This has also been recently transformed, and blends historic and contemporary architecture. Interestingly, Kings Cross may be most famous for its mention in the Harry Potter stories. Today, there’s both a Harry Potter shop and a light-hearted platform 9 ¾ for visitors.

These days Kings Cross is best known because of its role in the Harry Potter stories.

On this trip, I passed through London Bridge station and was shocked to see that the old train shed has been demolished! All I saw was a few vestiges of the old iron columns. Fifteen years ago, I made some memorable images inside the shed, and now that it’s gone, I’ll need to dredge these photos from the archives. Another change at London Bridge was nearby construction of a monumental skyscraper, colloquially known as ‘The Shard’.

The Shard looms over London Bridge Station on April 20, 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.

A First Capitol Connect train rolls into Blackfriars on April 21, 2013. Canon EOS 7D photo with 28-135mm lens.

Charing Cross Station — Not to be forgotten is London’s Charing Cross, located near Embankment, and just a short walk from Trafalgar Square. Lumix LX3 photo on April 19, 2013.

Victoria Station; two terminals with one name.

Waterloo Station, is one of London’s busiest. Waterloo is named for the Belgian town where Wellington prevailed over Napoleon. Ironically, this was the London-Paris Eurostar terminal for more than a decade before international services were shifted to St. Pancras. Lumix LX3 photo.

London Euston — Like New York’s late, great Pennsylvania Station, the classic Euston Station was demolished in the 1960s to make way for uninspired modernity. Progress doesn’t necessarily make things better. Lumix LX3 photo.

This statue of British Railway pioneer Robert Stephenson is displayed in front of Euston Station. Euston, Heuston, what’s in an ‘H’ anyway? LX3 photo.

Clapham Junction is famous as Britain’s busiest station. Still images cannot convey the power of place. Watching trains at Clapham Junction is akin to watching the tide flow in. At rush hours an unceasing parade of trains passes Clapham Junction, with trains flowing in waves. Most impressive is standing at the north end of the station when as many as six trains approach simultaneously.