Waterpoint near St. Pancras Station

[i.e., watertank for steam locomotives in American parlance]

c. 1870

Photograph 2006 by Jacqueline Banerjee.

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According to the English Heritage site that announced its restoration, "The gothic-style waterpoint, designed to complement Sir George Gilbert Scott's St Pancras Station and the adjoining Midland Grand Hotel (now St Pancras Chambers), is the only survivor of seven structures located behind the station to supply water for steam locomotives. The upper section contains a cast iron tank the weight of which, when full of water, would be in excess of 80 tons. . . . The ornate red brick waterpoint formed an integral part of St Pancras Station and its adjoining buildings, but it is also a structure of significant architectural and historic interest in its own right. It is believed to be England 's only example of an original steam locomotive watering point designed as a whole building, rather than as a tank on columns or a plinth. . . ."

"The top two sections of the brick and stone building were moved some 700 metres by road to limit damage to the structure. Each of the sections weighed between 125 and 135 tons and the relocation used two of the largest mobile cranes in the UK as well as specialist road transporters. The lowest third section formed an integral part of the boundary wall on the original site and could not be moved, however, reclaimed stone and bricks from this section were used for reinstatement and repair on the new site."

"The waterpoint now stands prominently on a viaduct overlooking St Pancras Yacht Basin on the Regent's Canal, and is to be leased to British Waterways for use as a reception and exhibition area. A viewing platform has been constructed within the original tank which provides fine views south to the waterpoint's former home at St Pancras station and the new CTRL link, as well as King's Cross and Camley Street Natural Park and north to the former Great Northern Goods Yard which is awaiting regeneration as part of the King's Cross Central development."

Last modified 14 April 2006