The architectural designs for a proposed railway station in London by Perceval Parsons, dating back 172 years, offer an intriguing glimpse into what the capital could have looked like. The drawings, now available for sale, were created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first public passenger railway. Parsons envisioned a grand terminal near Great Scotland Yard, close to today’s Embankment tube station, featuring an ornamental façade that would span approximately 800 feet.
The plans included multiple entrances leading to a spacious hall of about 300 feet in length, with a configuration of pay offices for various railway companies. Parsons indicated that the station would consist of eight platforms for arrivals and eight for departures. He described the cost of this ambitious project as relatively minor, noting that the site contained only a few unimpressive structures and was in poor condition at the time.
The proposal also highlighted the need for a connecting link between various metropolitan railways to improve access to central London for both passengers and suburban areas. This concept received backing from Robert Stephenson, chief engineer of the London and Birmingham Railway. However, economic considerations stemming from the Crimean War led to the abandonment of the plan.
The architectural prospectus, which features two large maps, is priced at £1,450 and is part of a larger collection being showcased at the York book fair. This collection not only includes Parsons’ plans but also letters and documents from notable railway figures, highlighting the early years of steam locomotion.
While the 1840s saw significant investment in railways, many proposals for central London connections were ultimately discarded, influenced by economic downturns and recommendations from a royal commission against such developments. The introduction of an underground system began in 1860, indicating a shift in transportation strategy for the city.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/sep/07/drawings-plans-rail-terminal-grand-central-london-perceval-parsons