Euston Arch facts for kids

The Euston Arch in 1896

The Euston Arch was a huge stone archway that stood at the front of Euston railway station in London. It was built in 1837 by the London and Birmingham Railway company. The people who ran this new, modern railway wanted passengers to feel excited and impressed when they arrived. So, they built this grand arch as a main entrance to catch everyone's eye.

The arch was supported by four large columns. The two columns on the outside were plain and square. The two columns in the middle were round and had special carvings in a style called "Doric". This Doric style is why many people called it "The Doric Arch".

At first, the words "London and Birmingham Railway" were written at the top of the arch. But in 1870, the letters EUSTON were carved in gold onto the beam above the columns. This happened because the railway company had joined with others to form a new company called the London and North Western Railway. They wanted people to know the station by its name, not the old company's name.

Why Was the Euston Arch Taken Down?

In the 1960s, Britain was making its railways more modern. Old steam locomotives were being replaced by newer Diesel locomotives. Also, electric wires were being added above the tracks on the important line from Euston Station to the North West of England.

The old Euston station itself was also going to be rebuilt. The railway needed more platforms and more space at the front of the station for cars. Because of these big changes, the Euston Arch was removed by 1961.

What About Birmingham's Station?

The railway line from London ended at Curzon Street in Birmingham. That station also had large pillars and it still stands today! The columns at Curzon Street are in a style called "Ionic", which means they are plain, unlike the fluted (grooved) Doric columns of the Euston Arch.

Images for kids

• 

  The Euston Arch in the 1890s

• 

  Entrance Front of the London Station by C. F. Cheffins, published 3 April 1837.

• 

  Construction of the Euston Arch, London, January 1838, by John Cooke Bourne; it looks a bit like David Roberts' drawings of ancient Egypt.

• 

  Ground plan of Euston station 1838. The grey areas were open granite paving. The Euston Arch is on the left (south) of the plan between its four lodges, forming a grand entrance to the station building, on the departures side of the station

• 

  The demolition workers started on 6 November 1961. This photo was taken on a wet 12 February 1962.

• 

  The main gates from the Euston Arch, now looked after by the National Railway Museum, York.

• 

  A piece of one of the columns was found in the Prescott Channel in 1994.