Waterloo station is an impressive building and one of the UK’s busiest rail stations providing links from London to the south west of England. As one casually enters the building, it’s not hard for some very simple questions to arise. The destinations listed on the entrance are reason for both intrigue and delight, as it proudly displays the following locations: Belgium, Italy, Dardanelles, France, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the North Sea!
Were these destinations once accessible by airship in the not-too-distance past?
Taking a further step back you can’t help but notice, flanking either side of the station, are two very different carvings with a third seen high above the station entrance.
In the first image, the statues could represent the oppressive nature of humanity. Whether it be a sword wielding figure raised above a distressed mother and slave or someone weeping and another in ill health. In the second, we see the joy of lovers, the scribe, fertility, or perhaps the harvest. Was this meant as a reminder of the importance of balance in life and society? The third image shows someone with a flame firmly held aloft, a trident under tight grip, and control flanked by a shield. Was this meant to depict man’s mastery of both sea and air? What do you think? Comment below!
Even the clock in the middle of the hallway is of incredible detail and imagery. The clock has been set at horizon level when perceived from cloud-level. Were they preparing you for the view ahead? Some of you will notice the relevant imagery associated with power as well. Moving on to the logo “LW S&R”, could this have meant “London Waterloo Station & Rail”? Was Waterloo once a hub to move freight and passengers from sea to air?
Looking back though the archive, we can see Waterloo is largely unchanged. The entrance has survived without any visage changes, although the Cemetery station attached has long since gone, which then raises the question as to why a cemetery entrance would have been needed.
Within the station, the curious delights continue with amazing cherubs, faces and engravings everywhere! Interestingly enough, these sculptures include more than one of the legendary weapons, and the ancient Roman symbol of power and authority, the fasces!
All photos in this article are TB Originals
English
Check out the carving above Scotts House doorway. Has the carving has been covered? The bundle of sticks looks like, they’ve been added later to cover up the carving beneath. More like poured cement from a mold rather than a carving, a different texture and colour when you zoom in. The original carving could be wings, similar to those winged sun disks found above the doorways in the ancient temples of Egypt.
What are those marks around the top of the doorway? has something been removed?
These photos are so clear! Excellent quality. Thank you.
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