I have a soft spot for architecture that surrounds trains – viaducts, tunnel and stations often capture my imagination. Perhaps it’s the romance of a bygone era; perhaps it’s the respect of those who have built them in often harsh conditions (and sometimes died).
Much of the architecture does lend itself to black and white photography. That said, I have only really photographed St Pancras Station in colour. The red brick lends itself to either, really.
In January 1866, the brick Gothic revival designs of the prominent architect George Gilbert Scott were chosen for the station. He has created a unique building which stands like a Victorian secular cathedral in central London. It is lavish, and shows the importance of the railway of the time. It is a building of its time.
The station was refurbished a few years ago, and I was worried that the character of the building would be lost. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the changes were in keeping with the character of the building. It would have been a loss otherwise.
St Pancras is one of my favourite buildings in London, and wish I passed through it more often.