The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-24 00:00:00

NEW RAILWAY PROJECTS.

THE CHARINO-CROSS AND LONDON-BRIDGE

LINE.

The government inspector, having been over the
line from Charing-croon to London-bridge, has
repotted it to be in a condition suited for traffic,
and the lot of January, 1841, has accordingly been
appointed for opening the railway to the public. It
is to be hoped that the resolution may be carried
into effect. The only obstacle that can arise will
proceed from the backward state of the works at
the Charing-cross station. The line itself is finished;
the bridges, the permanent way, the points and
signals all in perfect order. At the stations, how-
ever, the works are incomplete. At London-bridge
much remains to be done to provide for the accom-
modation of the public. At the Blackfriars-road
the bricklayers and carpenters have finished, but
the painters have only just commenced their work,
whilst at Charing-cruse everything is at present
"in course of construction ;" and, with Christmas
holidays intervening, it certainly looks as if it was
impossible that that station could be ready in a
fortnight.
Anticipating, however, that wonders can be done
where money and energy are both abundant, it
may be interesting to the public to know with what
facilities they will be accommodated on the let of
January next, and what they will meet with in the
new and expeditious route which will then be
opened to them between Charing-cross and London•
bridge.
The extensiveness of the Charing-cross station every
Londoner has seen from above the hoarding. At
present it is so incomplete that it is not easy to
know what to make of it ; but the engineer assured
the House of Lords, some months ago, that "the
Charing-cross terminus would be a handsome thing
that would not disgrace the metropolis," and every
reliance may be placed on that assurance.
Certainly there is every reason why this ter-
minus should be what it is described. Of necessity
it has costa vast amount of money. It coven the
whole site of Hungerford Market, and all the land
from Vtlliersstreet to Craven-street. Those who
may have passed under its arches, on the old line
of route from Scotland-yard to the Adelphi, cannot
have failed to notice the immense breadth of
ground it covers. If they will take the trouble of
walking down Villiers-street from the Strand to the
banks of the Thames, they will be equally sato-
iislied at the length of ground the station
occupies, and at its great height and substantial
appearance.

The exterior of the Charing-cross station is,
however, at present in the rudest state, and there-
fore quite unfit for criticism. Passing through the
booking-offices and other buildings to the station
itself, the works will be found to be at present
almost equally unfinished. The station, however,
into which the passengers will enter from Charing-
cross will be obviously a very fine one. Our Lou-
don stations are remarkable for their extent ; but
this will be the largest of any at present erected.
Its dimensions will measure 460 feet in length, 170
in width, and 100 in height ; and it will, therefore,
be admitted to be very large and very lofty. Per-
haps its great size will be its chief characteristic.
Travellers accustomed to continental stations know
that whilst ours at home are distinguished for the
solidity of their aspect, those abroad are remarkable
for their aerial character. The Charing-cross station