Waterloo Station was constructed for the London and South Western Railway, extending
its service from Nine Elms. The original intention was to extend the railway service to the
City, but this was not achieved until 1898 when the Waterloo to City Underground Line (the
Drain) opened. Waterloo Station opened on 11 July 1848. It is the largest railway station in
the UK, covering some 24.5 acres. The station was originally "Waterloo Bridge" Station
because of its proximity to Waterloo Bridge, but the "Bridge" part of the name was soon
dropped.
Waterloo East, or Waterloo Junction, station opened in 1869, and has ever since caused
confusion amongst passengers who do not realise that there are two Waterloos ! At one
time there was a line connecting the two stations which ran along part of the concourse,
but this was removed in 1911.
Between 1900 and 1922 the station was reconstructed to provide 21 platforms and a huge
concourse. The main entrance was also rebuilt in the form of a "Victory Arch" - made from
Portland Stone - to commemorate the men of the LSWR and later those from the Southern
Railway who perished in the two World Wars.
