Catalogue description St Pancras station construction, official photographs

This superb collection of photographs was commissioned by the Midland Railway to record the construction of its London extension into St Pancras. Mainly the work of two local photographers, J B Pyne of Haverstock Hill and J Ward of Euston Road, it documents the civil engineering work, with views of the cuttings, bridges, tunnels, the line crossing St Pancras cemetery and the building of the station, including the erection of the vaulted roof. There are also group photographs of contractors' staff, scenes showing navvies and industrial locomotives at work. The albums also include contemporary cuttings from the 'Illustrated Times', featuring engravings based on some of the photographs.

The collection is not listed. There are no original negatives, but copies of many of these original albumen prints have been made and can be seen in reference binders in the Reading Room. The albums are available for consultation on special request.

Midland Railway

• Transport infrastructure
• Civil engineering