Historic London rail station reopened
London’s historic St. Pancras train station has reopened to serve high-speed trains after a seven-year, $1.6 billion refurbishment.
Eurostar trains traveled from St. Pancras to Paris in 2 hours and 15 minutes and Brussels in 1 hour and 51 minutes - at least 20 minutes faster than previous trips - after the station and new high-speed tracks reopened Wednesday. Eurostar trains formerly used London’s Waterloo station.
Intended as a landmark to rival New York’s Grand Central Terminal, St. Pancras is also meant to be an international hub with classy restaurants and upscale shops.
It’s part of the transformation of a central London neighborhood long known for poverty and seediness.
The station opened in 1868, but a century later it was grubby and unloved. The Victorian Gothic turretted building was threatened with demolition.