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So what has the British Airways London Eye got to do with railways? Well not only does it provide spectacular views of London but the bonus, if you are interested in photographing railways, is that it happens to overlook two of London's Mainline stations. To the left of the Eye is Hungerford Bridge which carries Connex S & S.E services into Charing Cross. One can just be seen in the picture. Then directly behind the Eye lies Waterloo Station which in addition to handling trains from the S.& S.W. mainly by South West Trains, has alongside it Waterloo International which is for Eurostar services to the Continent. All pictures were taken on Friday May 30th 2003 in good clear conditions at around 3.00pm. 'Jampics' collectively bucked-up courage and climbed on board for the 30 minute 'flight' that takes you up to 135 metres above London.......... Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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This shows a new Connex 377 4 car unit in the latest livery approaching Hungerford Bridge on the last part of its journey, across the River Thames and into Charing Cross Station. Directly behind the right end of the unit can be seen the dome of ST.Pauls Cathedral. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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Now a little higher, we are looking towards Charing Cross Station with the B T Tower directly behind it and beyond that London's northern suburbs. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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Although not one of London's largest stations it still manages to handle considerable volumes of daily commuter traffic. In this picture it is possible to see Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square to the left of the station. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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Charing Cross station is situated on the Strand, over looking the River Thames and a very short walk to Trafalgar Square. Opened in 1864, the present building was put up in the late 1980's to provide office accommodation and clearly fits in very well with the surrounding area. This can only really be seen from the 'air' and we have to thank the arrival of the London Eye for an opportunity to appreciate its stylish architecture. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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This closer view shows how the combination of station and offices, designed by Sir Terry Farrell, can be successfully blended together to form a highly distinctive but attractive modern building. Outside the station is the Eleanor Cross from which all non-rail distances from London in the UK are measured. This is why Charing Cross is often regarded as the centre of London. EMUs in various liveries can be seen coming and going. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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The view is now looking south over Waterloo station. This is London's largest terminus in terms of both platforms and passengers. It is really now two stations in one as alongside is Waterloo International which handles Eurostars to Continental Europe. The extra length of the platforms compared to the regular station is very apparent in order to accommodate the 18 coach trains plus two power cars. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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In this view Stagecoach or South West Train EMUs can be seen entering and leaving the station which was first opened in 1848. Various parts were then added to it before being entirely re-built between 1900-1922. The International station was completed in time for the first Eurostars to commence running in 1994. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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Three different Stagecoah liveries can be seen in this view - Network South East, South West Trains and a 'red and white' one that encourages you to drink red wine! In addition to Charing Cross (S/S.E) and Waterloo (S/SW) London has 11 other Main Line terminals :- Liverpool Street (NE of London/East Anglia), Fenchurch Street (East), Cannon Street (S.E), Blackfriars (S.E), London Bridge (S/S.E), Victoria (S/S.E), Paddington (S.W./West/Wales), Marylebone ( NW of London/Midlands), Euston (W.Midlands/N.West/Scotland), St.Pancras (Midlands/North), Kings Cross (E.Midlands/North & N.E./Scotland). Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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Londra - Regno Unito - Maggio 2000 Stazione di Charing Cross a sud-est della cittą. Qui convergono molti treni dalle principali cittą del sud dell'Inghilterra. Foto digitale scattata dalla London Eye. Digital photo: Silvio Assi - EurostarItalia

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Londra - Regno Unito - Maggio 2000 Scende la sera sulla stazione di Charing Cross. Un treno a composizione bloccata (Networker) lascia la stazione in direzione sud. Foto digitale scattata dalla London Eye. Digital photo: Silvio Assi - EurostarItalia

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Londra - Regno Unito - Maggio 2000 Ripresa aerea della stazione di Charing X. Sullo sfondo si intravede l'altissima BT (British Telecom) Tower. Foto digitale scattata dalla ruota panoramica London Eye. Digital photo: Silvio Assi - EurostarItalia

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Londra - Regno Unito - Maggio 2000 Panoramica della stazione di Waterloo International, capolinea londinese dei treni Eurostar. Foto digitale scattata dalla London Eye. Digital photo: Silvio Assi - EurostarItalia