Explore the history of London Waterloo through vinyl artworks

A permanent exhibition detailing the history of London Waterloo has been unveiled in the old international terminal in the station.

As part of the London Waterloo 175th Station anniversary last year, Network Rail worked with railway historian Mike Lamport to install a temporary historical exhibition of London Waterloo, titled From Cholera to Covid. 

The exhibition highlights images and stories mapping the social, cultural and transport history of London Waterloo.

First located in the main concourse of the station for one week in 2023, Network Rail have been working with Mr Lamport, South Western Railway (SWR) and the station team to find a permanent home for the exhibition.

Now the exhibit has been recreated into vinyl artworks, which will be installed in the glass panels on the perimeter of the waiting area in the Waterloo International Terminal.

Mr Lamport said: “My main motivation in curating the Waterloo Story is my family’s 170 year long and enduring connection to this great station which began with my great grandfather Matthew in the 1850’s and continues today through my son Andrew. 

“I hope that my affection for it shows through in a story that takes us from cholera to Covid and on to tomorrow. 

“From its beginnings as a roadside station, through years of chaotic growth which brought it public ridicule and Royal disapproval, to its early 20th century ‘Great Transformation’ making it for many years London’s Gateway to the World through its Southampton boat train, and later Eurostar, connections.”

Head down to London Waterloo to find out more about the history of the iconic station.

Pictured top: From left,  Stuart Meek, South Western Railway’s interim managing director, Mike Lamport and Thomas Desmond, Network Rail’s Wessex Route operations director (Picture: Network Rail)