Events

Relive the golden age of the Waterloo boat trains, from the tragedy of the Titanic to the triumph of Charlie Chaplin’s homecoming, during the era of the luxury transatlantic ocean liner.

This online talk by Lambeth Tour Guide, David Turnbull, looks at the story of the famous boat trains which took passengers to and from Waterloo during the golden age of the transatlantic liners docking at Southampton and Plymouth from the Victorian era to the 1960s. From the tragedy of the Titanic to the optimism of West Indian immigration, during its heyday Waterloo station also greeted celebrated authors, Hollywood icons, crooners and popstars, politicians and royalty, and at least one notorious gangster. As well as a brief history of the luxury boat train service the talk examines a number of celebrated arrivals at Waterloo and why these arrivals marked significant life or career milestones for those involved.