Description
History & Architecture
St Pancras was built by the Midland Railway (MR) to provide a direct London terminus for its extensive network across the Midlands and North of England. Designed by William Henry Barlow, the station opened on October 1, 1868, boasting the world’s largest enclosed space at the time—an impressive single-span roof measuring 689 feet (210 m) long, 240 feet (73.2 m) wide, and 100 feet (30.5 m) high. The grand Midland Grand Hotel, designed by George Gilbert Scott, was later added to the station’s façade in a striking Gothic Revival style.
Threats & Restoration
Throughout the 20th century, St Pancras faced multiple threats. It was damaged during both World Wars, and demolition plans in the 1960s aimed to divert services to King’s Cross and Euston. A public campaign, led by the Victorian Society, architectural conservationist Jane Hughes Fawcett, and Poet Laureate John Betjeman, saved the station just 10 days before demolition was scheduled.
At the start of the 21st century, St Pancras underwent an £800 million transformation, becoming the terminal for High Speed 1 (HS1), which connects to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The Queen officially reopened the station in November 2007. The restored station features 15 platforms, a shopping centre, and a Eurostar terminal. Today, St Pancras International is owned by HS1 Ltd and managed by Network Rail (High Speed).
Location & Design
St Pancras is situated in Camden, with Euston Road to the south, Midland Road to the west, and Pancras Road separating it from King’s Cross Station. The train shed is elevated 5 m (17 ft) above street level, with shops, restaurants, and the Eurostar departure lounge located in the undercroft below. Nearby landmarks include the British Library, Francis Crick Institute, and Camley Street Natural Park. The station is well-served by London bus routes 73, 205, and 390.
Construction & Early Services
St Pancras takes its name from the local St. Pancras parish, named after the 4th-century Christian martyr Pancras of Rome. The Midland Railway commissioned the station to secure a London terminus for its trains. Before 1857, MR trains relied on London & North Western Railway (L&NWR) lines. Frustrated by congestion on Great Northern Railway (GNR) tracks during the 1862 International Exhibition, MR secured its own Bedford-to-London route in 1863.
Built on the former Agar Town slums, the station’s elevated design allowed for an undercroft that was repurposed as a beer warehouse, using cast-iron columns spaced according to the size of beer barrels from Burton-upon-Trent. The Butterley Company was contracted to build the massive wrought-iron roof, and Rowland Mason Ordish assisted in its final design. The station opened on October 1, 1868, with its first train being an overnight mail service from Leeds.
By 1902, St Pancras handled 150 trains daily, including routes to Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Carlisle. The Great Eastern Railway (GER) also used it for trains to Norwich, Lowestoft, and Great Yarmouth (1870–1917), while the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) operated boat trains to Tilbury and Southend (1894–1963).
20th Century Challenges
Following the 1921 Railways Act, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) took over operations, prioritizing Euston as its main London terminus. The Midland Grand Hotel closed in 1935, repurposed as railway offices. World War II bombings damaged St Pancras, notably in May 1941, but repairs kept it operational.
After British Railways (BR) nationalization in 1948, investment revived services, with famous express trains like The Palatine (Manchester), The Thames-Clyde Express (Glasgow), and The Master Cutler (Sheffield). In 1957, a new power signal box was installed. The 1960s electrification of the West Coast Main Line (WCML) saw temporary Midland Pullman services to Manchester.
However, by the late 1960s, St Pancras was underused and considered redundant. British Rail proposed demolishing it, but the John Betjeman-led campaign successfully secured Grade I listed status in 1967. A £3 million investment in the 1970s saved the deteriorating train shed.
In 1978, British Rail controversially sold St Pancras’ iconic 18-foot clock, but it shattered during removal. Railway worker Roland Hoggard bought the remains for £25 and reconstructed it in his barn. Dent of London later used it as a template for the 2007 station restoration.
Late 20th Century & HS1 Transformation
The 1990s saw further attempts to revitalize St Pancras. A 275-tonne slate roof restoration took place in 1993, and privatization led to services being franchised. Midland Mainline (National Express) took over long-distance services (1996), while Thameslink (Govia) ran suburban routes (1997).
During the 2000s, the West Coast Main Line upgrade led to temporary Manchester services from St Pancras. Meanwhile, the station was selected as the High Speed 1 (HS1) terminal, securing its future. The £800 million transformation, completed in 2007, modernized St Pancras into an international hub with Eurostar services, Thameslink cross-London connections, and high-speed domestic routes.
Today, St Pancras International is a world-renowned transport hub, blending historic architecture with modern rail services while remaining an icon of London’s railway heritage which we attempt to reflect in albeit a humble effort within our reproduction station clock.
