View source for London King's Cross railway station

{{Short description|Railway station in London}}
{{Redirect-several|dab=off|King's Cross, London|King's Cross (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox London station
| name             = King's Cross
| symbol           = rail
| alt_name         = London King's Cross
| manager          = [[Network Rail]]
| owner            = [[Network Rail]]
| locale           = [[King's Cross, London|King's Cross]]
| borough          = [[London Borough of Camden]]
| platforms        = 11 (numbered 0–10)
| access           = yes
| interchange      = {{Plainlist|
* {{Stl|LUL|King's Cross St Pancras}} {{Rail-interchange|london|underground}}
* [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] {{Rail-interchange|london|rail}}
* [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] {{Rail-interchange|london|overground}} {{Rail-interchange|london|rail}}
}}
| interchange_note =<ref>{{Citation London station interchange June 2020 }}</ref>
| fare_zone        = 1
| railcode         = KGX
| railcode1        = QQK ([[IATA airport code|IATA]])
| dft_category     = A
| image_name       = Kings Cross - London Kings Cross railway station - 20240915121948.jpg
| imagesize        =
| caption          = King's Cross station frontage and King's Cross Square in 2024
| coordinates      = {{Coord|51.5310|-0.1233|type:railwaystation_region:GB-CMD|display=inline,title}}
| map_type         = Central London
| years1           = 14 October 1852
| years2           =
| events1          = Opened
| events2          =
| original         = [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]]
| pregroup         = Great Northern Railway
| postgroup        = [[London and North Eastern Railway]]
| cyclepark        = Yes – platforms 0 & 1, 8, 9 and car park racks
| toilets          = Yes
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'''King's Cross railway station''', also known as '''London King's Cross''', is a passenger railway terminus in the [[London Borough of Camden]], on the edge of [[Central London]]. It is in the [[London station group]], one of the [[List of busiest railway stations in Great Britain|busiest stations in the United Kingdom]] and the southern terminus of the [[East Coast Main Line]] to [[Yorkshire and the Humber]], [[North East England]] and [[Scotland]]. Adjacent to King's Cross station is [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras International]], the London terminus for [[Eurostar]] services to continental Europe. Beneath both main line stations is [[King's Cross St Pancras tube station]] on the [[London Underground]]; combined, they form one of the country's largest and busiest transport hubs.

The station was opened in [[King's Cross, London|King's Cross]] in 1852 by the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] on the northern edge of [[Central London]] to accommodate the East Coast Main Line. It quickly grew to cater to suburban lines and was expanded several times in the 19th century. As part of the [[Big Four (British railway companies)|Big Four]] grouping in 1923, it came under the ownership of the [[London and North Eastern Railway]],  who introduced famous services such as the [[Flying Scotsman (train)|Flying Scotsman]] and locomotives such as ''[[Mallard (locomotive)|Mallard]]''. The station complex was redeveloped in the 1970s, simplifying the layout and providing electric suburban services, and it became a major terminus for the high-speed [[InterCity 125]]. {{As of|2018}}, long-distance trains from King's Cross are run by [[London North Eastern Railway]] to {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}}, {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|Newcastle}}; other long-distance operators include [[Hull Trains]] and [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]]. In addition, [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Great Northern]] runs suburban commuter trains around North London, [[Hertfordshire]], [[Cambridgeshire]] and [[Norfolk]].

In the late 20th century, the area around the station became known for its seedy and downmarket character, and was used as a backdrop for several films as a result. A major redevelopment was undertaken in the 21st century, including restoration of the original roof, and the station became well known for its association with the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' books and films, particularly the fictional [[Places in Harry Potter#Platform Nine and Three-Quarters|Platform {{frac|9|3|4}}]].

==Location and name==
The station stands on the [[London Inner Ring Road]] at the eastern end of [[Euston Road]], next to the junction with [[Pentonville Road]], [[Gray's Inn Road]] and [[York Way]], in what is now the [[London Borough of Camden]]. The eastern side of the station along York Way runs directly on the boundary with the neighbouring [[London Borough of Islington]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Islington Borough Council – MapIt |url=https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/2507.html |access-date=1 June 2025 |website=mapit.mysociety.org |archive-date=18 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418053714/https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/2507.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Immediately to the west, on the other side of Pancras Road, is [[St Pancras railway station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/King%27s+Cross/@51.5306923,-0.1258208,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x48761b3c5cbf139b:0x7be9c9cf71db38fb!8m2!3d51.5316396!4d-0.1244231 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024134937/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/King%27s%2BCross/@51.5306923,-0.1258208,17z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x48761b3c5cbf139b:0x7be9c9cf71db38fb!8m2!3d51.5316396!4d-0.1244231 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2019 |title=King's Cross Station |publisher=Google Maps |access-date=25 March 2017 }}</ref> Several London bus routes, including [[London Buses route 30|30]], [[London Buses route 59|59]], [[London Buses route 73|73]], [[London Buses route 91|91]], [[London Buses route 205|205]], [[London Buses route 390|390]] and [[London Buses route 476|476]] pass in front of or to the side of the station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/central-london-bus-map.pdf |title=Central London Bus Map |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=6 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313082004/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/central-london-bus-map.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2017 }}</ref>

King's Cross can be spelled both with and without an [[apostrophe]]. ''King's Cross'' is used in signage at the [[Network Rail]] and [[London Underground]] stations, on the [[Tube map]] and on the official Network Rail webpage.<ref>{{cite web |title=London King's Cross |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/our-stations/london-kings-cross/ |website=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=1 April 2024 |archive-date=1 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401140003/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/our-stations/london-kings-cross/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Kings Cross'' is used on the [[National Rail]] website.<ref>{{cite web |title=London Kings Cross (KGX) |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/london-kings-cross/ |website=[[National Rail]] |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331191940/https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/london-kings-cross/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The apostrophe rarely featured on early Underground maps, but has been consistently used on them since 1951.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Badsey-Ellis |first=Antony |date=November 2008 |title=The Underground and the apostrophe |url=http://lurs.org.uk/documents/pdf%2008/nov/The%20Underground%20and%20the%20Apostrophe.pdf |journal=Underground News |publisher=London Underground Railway Society |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031107/http://www.lurs.org.uk/documents/pdf%2008/nov/The%20Underground%20and%20the%20Apostrophe.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Kings X'', ''Kings +'' and ''London KX'' are abbreviations used in space-limited contexts. The National Rail [[station code]] is ''KGX''.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Rail station codes CSV |url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/content/station_codes.csv |url-status=dead |access-date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106133609/https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/content/station_codes.csv |archive-date=6 November 2021 }}</ref>

== Station layout ==
The station currently has 11 platforms, numbered 0 to 10 from east to west. Platforms 9 and 10 are short platforms and separated from platforms 0 to 8. Until 2021 there were 12 platforms, numbered 0 to 11 from east to west, but following extensive track remodelling, platform 10 was taken out of use, with platform 11 being relabelled 10.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Buddoo |first=Nadine |date=29 June 2021 |title=Future of Rail {{!}} How engineers uncrossed the track at King's Cross |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/the-future-of/future-of-rail-uncrossing-track-the-kings-cross-crossovers-29-06-2021/ |access-date=15 December 2023 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en }}</ref>

==History==

===Early history===
The area of [[Kings Cross, London|King's Cross]] was previously a village known as Battle Bridge which was an ancient crossing of the [[River Fleet]], originally known as Broad Ford, later Bradford Bridge. The river flowed along what is now the west side of Pancras Road until it was rerouted underground in 1825.<ref>{{cite book |title=Survey of London: Battle Bridge Estate |volume=24, the Parish of St Pancras Part 4: King's Cross Neighbourhood |editor1=Walter H Godfrey |editor2=W McB. Marcham |location=London |publisher=London County Council |year=1952 |pages=102–113 |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol24/pt4/pp102-113 |access-date=27 January 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403100406/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol24/pt4/pp102-113 |url-status=live }}</ref> The name "Battle Bridge" is linked to tradition that this was the site of a major battle between the Romans and the [[Celtic Britons|Celtic British]] [[Iceni]] tribe led by [[Boudica]]. According to folklore, King's Cross is the site of Boudica's final battle and some sources say she is buried under one of the platforms.<ref name=burke>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/03/jasonburke.theobserver |title=Dig uncovers Boudicca's brutal streak |newspaper=The Observer |date=3 December 2000 |access-date=27 January 2017 |archive-date=26 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126104327/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/03/jasonburke.theobserver |url-status=live }}</ref> Platforms 9 and 10 have been suggested as possible sites.<ref name=burke/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/historical-notes-boadiceas-bones-under-platform-10-1106466.html |title=Historical Notes: Boadicea's bones under Platform 10 |newspaper=The Independent |date=14 July 1999 |access-date=27 January 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202084653/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/historical-notes-boadiceas-bones-under-platform-10-1106466.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Boudica's ghost is also reported to haunt passages under the station, around platforms 8–10.<ref>{{cite book |title=Boudicca |first=Marguerite |last=Johnson |publisher=A&C Black |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-853-99732-7 }}</ref>

===Great Northern Railway (1850–1923)===
[[File:Kings Cross ILN 1852.jpg|thumb|left|King's Cross in 1852]]
King's Cross station was built in 1851–52 as the London terminus of the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] (GNR), and was the fifth London terminal to be constructed.{{sfn|Weinreb|Hibbert|Keay|Keay|2010|p=463}} It replaced a temporary station next to [[Maiden Lane railway stations|Maiden Lane]] (now [[York Way]]) that had been quickly constructed with the line's arrival in London in 1850,{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=76}} and had opened on 7 August 1850.<ref>{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens |location=Yeovil |isbn=1-85260-508-1 |id=R508 |page=134 }}</ref>

The station took its name from the [[King's Cross (building)|King's Cross building]], a monument to [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George IV]] that stood in the area and was demolished in 1845.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Thornbury |first=Walter |title=Highbury, Upper Holloway and King's Cross |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol2/pp273-279 |journal=Old and New London |volume=2 |location=London |pages=273–279 |year=1878 |access-date=5 January 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403112615/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol2/pp273-279 |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction was on the site of a [[smallpox]] hospital.

Plans for the station were made in December 1848 under the direction of [[George Turnbull (civil engineer)|George Turnbull]], resident engineer for constructing the first {{convert|20|mi|0|abbr=out}} of the Great Northern Railway out of London.<ref>Diaries of George Turnbull (Chief Engineer, [[East Indian Railway Company]]) held at the Centre of South Asian Studies at [[Cambridge University]], England.</ref><ref>Page 87 of ''George Turnbull, C.E.'' 437-page memoirs published privately 1893, scanned copy held in the British Library, London on compact disk since 2007.</ref> The station's detailed design was by [[Lewis Cubitt]], the brother of [[Thomas Cubitt]] (the architect of [[Bloomsbury]], [[Belgravia]] and [[Osborne House]]), and Sir [[William Cubitt]] (who was chief engineer of the [[The Crystal Palace|Crystal Palace]] built in 1851, and consulting engineer to the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern]] and [[South Eastern Railway, UK|South Eastern]] Railways). The design comprised two great arched [[train shed]]s, with a brick structure at the south end designed to reflect the arches behind.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|pp=76–77}} Its main feature was a {{convert|112|ft|m|adj=on}} high clock tower that held treble, tenor and bass bells, the last of these weighing 1 ton 9 cwt (1.47 tonnes).{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=77}} In size, it was inspired by the {{convert|180|m|yd|order=flip}} long [[Moscow Manege|Moscow Riding Academy]] of 1825,<ref>{{cite book |last=Young |first=John |title=Great Northern suburban |publisher=David & Charles |year=1977 |page=15 |isbn=978-0-715-37477-1 }}</ref> leading to its built length of {{convert|245|m|yd|order=flip}}.{{sfn|Weinreb|Hibbert|Keay|Keay|2010|p=463}}{{efn|[[Lewis Cubitt]] was also responsible for the design of the Great Northern Hotel (see below).}} A turret clock exhibited by [[Dent (watchmaker)|E. J. Dent & Co.]] at the Great Exhibition of 1851 (awarded a Council Medal) was later associated with the station’s timekeeping arrangements.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Great Exhibition, 1851: Turret Clock by Dent |url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/2800046/the-great-exhibition-1851-turret-clock-by-dent |website=Royal Collection Trust |access-date=23 September 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The station clock |url=https://crht.thinknewr.com/history/kings-cross-railway-lands/the-station-clock/ |website=Camden Railway Heritage Trust |access-date=23 September 2025 |archive-date=13 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713081901/https://crht.thinknewr.com/history/kings-cross-railway-lands/the-station-clock/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:DISTRICT(1888) p138 - King's Cross Station (plan).jpg|thumb|left|Plan of King's Cross in 1888. Originally, there was only one arrival and one departure platform.]]
The station, the biggest in England at that time, opened on 14 October 1852.{{sfn|Weinreb|Hibbert|Keay|Keay|2010|p=463}} Originally it had one arrival and one departure platform (today's platforms 1 and 8), and the space between was used for carriage sidings.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=76}} The platforms have been reconfigured several times. They were numbered 1 to 8 in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/london-kings-cross-station/history/ |title=History – King's Cross station |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=5 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106101906/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/london-kings-cross-station/history/ |archive-date=6 January 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2010 and 2021 the station was reconfigured again and now has 11 platforms numbered 0 – 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://londonist.com/2016/06/why-is-there-a-platform-0-at-king-s-cross |title=Why is there a platform 0 at King's Cross |work=Londonist |date=June 2016 |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101143133/https://londonist.com/2016/06/why-is-there-a-platform-0-at-king-s-cross |archive-date=1 January 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Suburban traffic quickly grew with the opening of stations at [[Hornsey railway station|Hornsey]] in 1850, [[Holloway Road tube station|Holloway Road]] in 1856, {{rws|Wood Green|Alexandra Palace}} in 1859 and Seven Sisters Road (now {{rws|Finsbury Park}}) in 1861. [[Midland Railway]] services to {{rws|Leicester}} via {{rws|Hitchin}} and {{rws|Bedford}} began running from King's Cross on 1 February 1858.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=78}} More platforms were added in 1862: No.&nbsp;2 was full-length, but No.&nbsp;3 was stepped into the northern end of the station.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|pp=78–79}} In 1866, a connection was made via the [[Metropolitan Railway]] to the [[London, Chatham and Dover Railway]] at {{stnlnk|Farringdon}}, with goods and passenger services to South London via {{rws|Herne Hill}}.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=79}} A separate suburban station to the west of the main building, housing platforms 9–11 {{as of|1972|lc=y}} and known initially as "Kings Cross Main Line (Local) Station", opened in August 1875. A platform, later numbered platform 16, was opened on the connection to the [[Metropolitan Railway]] on 1 February 1878; previously, trains had had to reverse into the main station.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=80}} Two platforms (now 5 and 6) were opened on 18 December 1893 to cater for increased traffic demands. An iron footbridge was built halfway down the train shed to connect all the platforms.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=84}} By 1880, half the traffic at King's Cross was suburban.{{sfn|Simmons|Biddle|1997|p=290}}

A significant bottleneck in the early years of operations was at Gas Works tunnel underneath the [[Regent's Canal]] immediately to the north of the station, which was built with a single [[Rail directions#Up and down|up track]] and a single [[Rail directions#Up and down|down track]]. Commercial traffic was further impeded by having to cross over on-level running lines to reach the goods yard.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=79}} Grade separation of goods traffic was achieved by constructing the skew bridge that opened in August 1877, and the second and third Gas Works tunnels opened in 1878 and 1892 respectively.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|pp=81,83}}

On 15 September 1881, a light engine and a coal train collided near the mouth of the [[Copenhagen Tunnel]] north of the station because of a signalman's error. One person was killed and another was severely injured.<ref name=Times210981/> Bad weather contributed to occasional flooding in the tunnels. One such incident in July 1901 suspended all traffic from the station for more than four hours, which happened at no other London terminus.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=83}}

King's Cross sustained no damage during [[World War I]] even though large amounts of high explosives were carried to the station in passenger trains during the war. When possible, trains were parked in tunnels in the event of enemy aircraft overhead.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=87-8}}

===London and North Eastern Railway (1923–1948)===
[[File:Morning rush from King's Cross (CJ Allen, Steel Highway, 1928).jpg|thumb|Steam trains at King's Cross in 1928]]
Kings Cross came into the ownership of the [[London and North Eastern Railway]] (LNER) following the [[Railways Act 1921]]. The LNER made improvements to various amenities, including toilets and dressing rooms underneath what is now platform 8.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=89}} The lines through the Gas Works tunnels were remodelled between 1922 and 1924 and improved signalling made it easier to manage the increasing number of local trains.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=88}}

A number of famous trains have been associated with King's Cross, such as the [[Flying Scotsman (train)|Flying Scotsman]] service to Edinburgh.{{sfn|Christopher|2013|p=47}} The [[LNER Gresley Classes A1 and A3|Gresley A3]] and later streamlined [[A4 Pacific]] steam locomotives handled express services from the 1930s until 1966.{{sfn|Sharpe|2009|p=73}} The most famous of these was ''[[Mallard (locomotive)|Mallard]]'', which holds the world speed record for steam locomotives at {{convert|126|mph|km/h}}, set in 1938.{{sfn|Sharpe|2009|p=57}}

King's Cross handled large numbers of troops alongside civilian traffic during [[World War II]]. Engine shortages meant that up to 2,000 people had to be accommodated on each train. In the early hours of Sunday 11 May 1941, two {{convert|1000|lb|kg}} bombs fell on the, then, platform 10 at the west side of the station, damaging a newspaper train in that platform and destroying the general offices, booking hall and a bar, and bringing down a large section of roof. Twelve people were killed.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=90}}

On 4 February 1945, a passenger train to Leeds and Bradford stalled in [[Gasworks Tunnel]], ran back and was [[King's Cross railway accident|derailed in the station]]. Two people were killed and 25 were injured. Services were not fully restored until 23 February.<ref name=RA838>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=838 |title=Report on the Accident at King's Cross on 4th February 1945 |publisher=Railways Archive |access-date=17 September 2015 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202121516/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=838 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=93}}

===British Rail (1948–1996)===
[[File:Deltic at Platform 5 - King's Cross, geograph-3379622-by-The-Carlisle-Kid.jpg|thumb|Train headed by a {{brc|55}} 'Deltic' locomotive at King's Cross platform 5 in 1978. These were the principal express locomotives on the East Coast Main Line in the 1960s and 1970s.]]
Following [[nationalisation]] on 1 January 1948, King's Cross came under the management of [[British Railways]]' [[Eastern Region of British Railways|Eastern Region]]. Diesel services were introduced during the 1950s when steam was being phased out. All main line services were converted to diesel by June 1963.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=90}} Platform numbers were reorganised in 1972, to run consecutively from 1 (east) to 14 (west). The track layout was simplified in the 1970s by reusing an old flyover for freight near the Copenhagen Tunnels at Holloway, and reducing the number of running lines through the Gas Works tunnels from six to four. At the same time, electrification started with the installation of a 25 kV overhead line to cater for suburban services as part of the [[Great Northern Route|Great Northern Suburban Electrification]] project.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your NEW Electric Railway, The Great Northern Suburban Electrification |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRE_GNElectric1973.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRE_GNElectric1973.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=British Railways |access-date=18 March 2014 |year=1973 }}</ref> The works were completed on 3 April 1977, and electric services began running from King's Cross to [[Hertford North railway station|Hertford]], {{rws|Welwyn Garden City}} and {{rws|Royston}}.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|pp=348–349}}{{sfn|Gourvish|Anson|2004|p=93}}

The construction of the [[Victoria line]] and its interchange at King's Cross was seen by British Rail as an opportunity to modernise the station.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=91}} A single-storey extension containing the main passenger concourse and ticket office, designed in-house, was built at the front of the station in 1972. Although intended to be temporary, it was still standing 40&nbsp;years later, obscuring the [[Listed building|Grade I-listed]] façade of the original station.<ref name="NHLE">{{National Heritage List for England| num=1078328 |desc=Kings Cross Station |grade=I |access-date=27 January 2015 }}</ref> Before the extension was built, the façade was hidden behind a small terrace of shops. The extension was demolished in late 2012,<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Marc |title=King's Cross 'temporary' extension torn down after 40 years |url=https://www.globalrailnews.com/2012/11/12/kings-cross-temporary-extension-torn-down-after-40-years/ |work=Rail.co |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407175212/http://www.globalrailnews.com/2012/11/12/kings-cross-temporary-extension-torn-down-after-40-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref> revealing the [[Lewis Cubitt]] architecture. In its place, the {{convert|75000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} King's Cross Square was created, and opened to the public on 26 September 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=King's Cross Square opens to the public |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24274049 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=27 September 2013 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926222045/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24274049 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 September 1973, a [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Provisional IRA]] bomb [[Bombings of King's Cross and Euston stations|exploded in the booking hall]] at 12.24&nbsp;p.m., causing extensive damage and injuring six people, some seriously. The {{cvt|3|lb}} device was thrown without warning by a youth who escaped into the crowd and was not caught.<ref>{{cite news |title=On This Day: 10 September 1973: Bomb blasts rock Central London |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/10/newsid_2504000/2504619.stm |access-date=27 February 2007 |archive-date=7 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307122437/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/10/newsid_2504000/2504619.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

King's Cross was a London terminus for [[InterCity 125]] high speed services, along with [[Paddington railway station|Paddington]]. By 1982, almost all long-distance trains leaving King's Cross were 125s. The service proved to be popular, and the station saw regular queues across the concourse to board departing trains.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=350}}

The [[King's Cross fire]] in 1987 started in the machine room for a wooden escalator between the main line station and the [[King's Cross St Pancras tube station|London Underground station]]'s [[Piccadilly line]] platforms. The escalator burned and much of the tube station caught fire, killing 31 people, with smoke spreading to the main line station.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/18/newsid_2519000/2519675.stm |title=On This Day: 18 November 1987: King's Cross station fire 'kills 27' |publisher=BBC News |access-date=1 April 2012 |archive-date=27 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627175401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/18/newsid_2519000/2519675.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1987, British Rail proposed building a new station with four platforms for international trains through the [[Channel Tunnel]], and four for [[Thameslink]] trains under King's Cross. After six years of design work, the plans were abandoned, and the international terminal was constructed at St Pancras.{{sfn|Simmons|Biddle|1997|p=290}}

British Rail completed electrification of the East Coast Main Line to {{rws|Leeds}} and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] between 1985 and 1991, and electric [[InterCity 225]] rolling stock was introduced to work express services. These began service between King's Cross and Leeds on 2 October 1989, and to Edinburgh on 8 July 1991.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shirres |first=David |title=ECML: Electrification as it used to be |url=https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/11/27/ecml-electrification-as-it-used-to-be/ |publisher=Rail Engineer |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165146/https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/11/27/ecml-electrification-as-it-used-to-be/ |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Back to the future as history made with east coast rail icons |date=11 October 2013 |url=http://www.nrm.org.uk/aboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/2017/april/four-trains-completed |publisher=National Railway Museum |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052824/http://www.nrm.org.uk/aboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/2017/april/four-trains-completed |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Privatisation (1996–present)===
[[File:Kings Cross at the junction of Euston Rd and Pancras Rd - geograph.org.uk - 1503858.jpg|thumb|left|The former concourse seen in 2009]]
Before privatisation, the King's Cross area had a reputation for run-down buildings and prostitution in front of the main entrance. There was a major clean-up during the 1990s and the station's atmosphere was much improved by the end of the decade.{{sfn|Simmons|Biddle|1997|p=290}}

Following the [[privatisation of British Rail]] in 1996, express services into the station were taken over by the [[Great North Eastern Railway]] (GNER). The company refurbished the [[British Rail Mark 4]] "Mallard" rolling stock used for long-distance services from King's Cross and the inauguration of the new-look trains took place in the presence of [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|the Duke of Edinburgh]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmtran/145/145wec10.htm |title=Memorandum by Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) (FOR 115) |publisher=GNER |date=October 2003 |access-date=19 January 2017 |archive-date=29 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029070515/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmtran/145/145wec10.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

GNER successfully re-bid for the franchise in 2005, but surrendered it in the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=GNER to surrender top train route |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6182027.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=18 October 2012 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108060741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6182027.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[National Express East Coast]] took over the franchise in late 2007 after an interim period when trains ran under a management contract.<ref name="BBC6945367">{{cite news |title=National Express wins rail route |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6945367.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=1 July 2009 |archive-date=22 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222000026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6945367.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, it was announced that National Express was no longer willing to finance the East Coast subsidiary, and the franchise was taken back into public ownership and handed over to [[East Coast (train operating company)|East Coast]] in November.<ref>{{cite news |title=East Coast rail change confirmed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8343769.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=5 November 2009 |access-date=6 December 2023 |archive-date=8 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108084049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8343769.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2015 the franchise was re-privatised and taken over by [[Virgin Trains East Coast]].<ref name=BBC27Nov14>{{cite news |title=Stagecoach and Virgin win East Coast mainline (ECML) rail franchise |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30222458 |publisher=BBC News |date=27 November 2014 |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930000704/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30222458 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2017, Transport Secretary [[Chris Grayling]] announced the early termination of the East Coast franchise in 2020, three years ahead of schedule, following losses on the route by the operator. The current provider of ECML services is [[London North Eastern Railway]].<ref name=ft-20171129>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/cd4bf9c2-d51b-11e7-a303-9060cb1e5f44 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/cd4bf9c2-d51b-11e7-a303-9060cb1e5f44 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Stagecoach soars after government intervenes on contract |last=Elder |first=Bryce |newspaper=Financial Times |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 }}</ref><ref name=guardian-20171129>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/29/east-coast-rail-franchise-terminated-three-years-early-virgin-trains |title=East Coast rail 'bailout' could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202021401/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/29/east-coast-rail-franchise-terminated-three-years-early-virgin-trains |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Restoration===
[[File:King's Cross Western Concourse - central position - 2012-05-02.75.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.35|King's Cross following refurbishment in 2012. The steel structure of the roof, engineered by [[Arup Group Limited|Arup]], has been described as being "like some kind of reverse waterfall, a white steel grid that swoops up from the ground and cascades over your head".<ref name="LES20120314"/>]]
The £500&nbsp;million restoration plan announced by [[Network Rail]] in 2005 was approved by [[Camden London Borough Council]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=99832&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/camden/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/camden/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING |title=Planning Application – 2006/3387/P |publisher=[[London Borough of Camden]] |access-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007073614/http://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL%2FPlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=99832&XSLT=%2FNorthgate%2FPlanningExplorer17%2FSiteFiles%2FSkins%2Fcamden%2Fxslt%2FPL%2FPLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=%2FNorthgate%2FPlanningExplorer17%2FSiteFiles%2FSkins%2Fcamden%2FMenus%2FPL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING |archive-date=7 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It involved restoring and reglazing the original arched train shed roof and removing the 1972 extension at the front of the station and replacing it with an open-air plaza.<ref name="LES20120314">{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/arts/architecture/all-change-at-kings-cross-7565844.html |title=All change at King's Cross |work=[[Evening Standard]] |author=Long, Kieran |date=14 March 2012 |page=34 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |access-date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316120416/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/arts/architecture/all-change-at-kings-cross-7565844.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Network Rail unveils look for King's Cross square |work=Rail |location=Peterborough |page=14 |date=10 August 2011 }}</ref>

The new semi-circular departures concourse opened to the public in March 2012.<ref>{{cite news |work=Rail Professional |title=New concourse set to open at King's Cross |author=Silvester, Katie |url=http://www.railpro.co.uk/news/?idArticles=1330 |date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=3 April 2012 |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403031040/http://www.railpro.co.uk/news/?idArticles=1330 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/New_Kings_Cross.aspx |publisher=Network Rail |year=2012 |title=What's changing at King's Cross? |access-date=19 March 2012 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307002728/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/New_Kings_Cross.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Situated to the west of the station behind the Great Northern Hotel, it was designed by [[John McAslan]] and built by [[Taylor Woodrow Construction]], part of [[Vinci (construction)|Vinci]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/london-kings-cross-western-concourse-opens.html |title=London King's Cross western concourse opens |work=Railway Gazette International |location=London |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |archive-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322041719/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/london-kings-cross-western-concourse-opens.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It caters for much-increased passenger flows and provides greater integration between the intercity, suburban and underground sections of the station. The architect claimed that the roof is the longest single-span station structure in Europe and the semi-circular structure has a radius of {{convert|54|m|yd|order=flip}} and more than 2,000 triangular roof panels, half of which are glass.<ref name="LES20120314"/>

[[File:King's Cross St. Pancras aerial view, image 6.jpg|thumb|The new concourse seen from above. [[St Pancras railway station]] is to the right.]]
Land between and behind Kings Cross and St Pancras stations is being redeveloped as [[King's Cross Central]] with around 2,000 new homes, {{cvt|5000000|sqft|sigfig=4}} of offices and new roads.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset?asset_id=2904198 |title=Kings Cross place plan |publisher=London Borough of Camden |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025225549/https://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=2904198 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the restoration, refurbished offices have opened on the east side of the station to replace ones lost on the west side, and a new platform, numbered 0, opened underneath them on 20 May 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/zero-hour-for-kings-cross-as-transport-secretary-opens-new-platform-0 |title=Zero Hour for King's Cross as transport Secretary Opens New Platform 0 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-date=1 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234954/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/zero-hour-for-kings-cross-as-transport-secretary-opens-new-platform-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Diesel trains cannot normally use this platform for environmental reasons.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Marsh |first=Phil |editor-last=Pigott |editor-first=Nick |editor-link=Nick Pigott |date=July 2010 |title=King's Cross Platform Zero opens |journal=[[The Railway Magazine]] |volume=156 |issue=1311 |page=7 |location=London |issn=0033-8923 }}</ref> The restoration project was awarded a [[European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards|European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europanostra.org/awards/108/ |title=Awards |publisher=Europa Nostra |access-date=2 June 2014 |archive-date=2 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200049/http://www.europanostra.org/awards/108/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-279_en.htm |title=Winners of 2013 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards announced |publisher=European Commission |access-date=2 June 2014 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623060052/http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-279_en.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2021, [[Lumo (train operating company)|Lumo]] commenced operating services to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] via [[Stevenage railway station|Stevenage]], [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]] and [[Morpeth railway station|Morpeth]].<ref>[http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/21885/2016-05-12-ecml-decision-letter.pdf Applications for the East Coast Main Line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603081712/http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/21885/2016-05-12-ecml-decision-letter.pdf |date=3 June 2016 }} [[Office of Rail & Road]] 12 May 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-36273407 First Group to run Edinburgh to London budget rail service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516170802/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-36273407 |date=16 May 2016 }} ''[[BBC News]]'' 12 May 2016</ref><ref name=RGI>[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/vtec-and-firstgroup-granted-east-coast-main-line-paths.html VTEC and FirstGroup granted East Coast Main Line paths] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212005339/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/vtec-and-firstgroup-granted-east-coast-main-line-paths.html |date=12 December 2017 }} ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' 12 May 2016</ref>

===Remodelling===

In January 2018, it was announced that half the station would close for 3 months from January to March 2020 for remodelling work to the station and its approach, expected to cost £237 million. This includes rationalisation of the tracks, reopening the third tunnel to the approach of the station and closure of platform 10.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/plans-unveiled-for-237m-king-s-cross-remodelling |title=Exclusive: Plans unveiled for £237m King's Cross remodelling |journal=Rail Magazine |page=6 |number=843 |date=3 January 2018 |access-date=5 January 2018 |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105180436/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/plans-unveiled-for-237m-king-s-cross-remodelling |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newcivilengineer.com/the-future-of/future-of-rail-uncrossing-track-the-kings-cross-crossovers-29-06-2021 |last=Buddoo |first=Nadine |title=Future of rail: how engineers uncrossed the track at King's Cross |magazine=New Civil Engineer |location=London |date=29 June 2021 |access-date=19 August 2023 |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819045621/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/the-future-of/future-of-rail-uncrossing-track-the-kings-cross-crossovers-29-06-2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2021, Network Rail released a time lapse video showing the completion of the works.<ref>{{cite news |title=Morgan Sindall/Network Rail: Kings Cross – Worker Safety and Time Lapse Video |url=https://www.wcctv.co.uk/case-studies/morgan-sindallnetwork-rail-kings-cross-worker-safety-and-time-lapse-video/ |publisher=WCCTV |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184445/https://www.wcctv.co.uk/case-studies/morgan-sindallnetwork-rail-kings-cross-worker-safety-and-time-lapse-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accidents and incidents===
{{main|List of accidents and incidents at London King's Cross railway station}}
There have been many passenger train accidents at King's Cross over the years. The most serious were the [[King's Cross railway accident]] on 4 February 1945 which killed two people and injured 25<ref name=RA838/>{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=93}} and a collision in [[Gasworks Tunnel]] on 15 September 1881 which killed one person and seriously injured another.<ref name=Times210981>{{cite newspaper The Times |title=Inquests |date=21 September 1881 |page=10 |issue=30305 |column=D }}</ref> The most recent was on 17 September 2015 when a passenger train collided with the [[buffer stop]]s, injuring fourteen people.<ref name=BBC34283057>{{cite news |title=Govia Thameslink King's Cross rail crash: Five hurt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34283057 |publisher=BBC News |date=17 September 2015 |access-date=17 September 2015 |archive-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920045036/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34283057 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=KX317>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/543121/R152016_160803_Kings_Cross.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/543121/R152016_160803_Kings_Cross.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Collision with buffer stops at King's Cross 17 September 2015 |publisher=Rail Accident Investigation Branch |date=4 August 2016 }}</ref> There have also been a number of accidents which killed or injured railway employees.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2022 |title=King's Cross accidents |url=https://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/kings-cross-accidents/ |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=Railway Work, Life & Death }}</ref>

On 5 November 1979, [[Disappearance of Martin Allen|Martin Allen]] was seen saying goodbye to his friends at King's Cross. He set off in the direction of the Piccadilly line platform, but he was never seen again.<ref>{{cite web |title=Martin Allen mystery: how case of London teenager missing for 35 years |url=http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/martin-allen-mystery-how-case-of-london-teenager-missing-for-35-years-could-be-linked-to-the-elm-10249285.html |website=Evening Standard |date=14 May 2015 |access-date=24 February 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804145908/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/martin-allen-mystery-how-case-of-london-teenager-missing-for-35-years-could-be-linked-to-the-elm-10249285.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The station is also where [[Disappearance of Andrew Gosden|Andrew Gosden]] was last seen before going missing on 14 September 2007. He had caught a train there from {{rws|Doncaster}} under controversial and unexplained circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clifton |first1=Jamie |last2=McMahon |first2=James |title=The Strange Disappearance of Andrew Gosden |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-strange-disappearance-of-andrew-gosden/ |website=Vice |date=30 August 2018 |access-date=24 February 2019 |language=en-UK |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121055023/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-strange-disappearance-of-andrew-gosden/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Other stations==

===King's Cross York Road===
[[File:Class 105 with Kings Cross Granary in the background.jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 105|Class 105]] at Kings Cross, York Road station on the last day of diesel services to Moorgate]]
From 1863, part of King's Cross was an intermediate station. On the extreme east of the site, King's Cross York Road station was served by suburban trains from [[Finsbury Park station|Finsbury Park]] before they followed the sharply curved and steeply graded York Road Tunnel to join the [[Widened Lines|City Widened Lines]] to [[Farringdon station|Farringdon]], [[Barbican station|Barbican]] and [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]]. In the other direction, trains from Moorgate came off the Widened Lines via the Hotel Curve,{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=78}} to platform 16 (latterly renumbered 14) which rose to the main line level. Services to and from Moorgate were diverted via the [[Northern City Line]] from November 1976. The station remained in occasional use until it was completely closed on 5 March 1977.{{sfn|Jackson|1984|p=348}}

===Great Northern Cemetery Station===
The Great Northern Cemetery Station was built just to the east of the northern portal to Gasworks Tunnel, to connect the city to [[New Southgate Cemetery]]. It opened in 1861 but was never profitable as it only ran for {{convert|7|miles}} and closed two years later.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Evolution of the British Funeral Industry in the 20th Century |first=Brian |last=Parsons |page=109 |publisher=Emerald Publishing Limited |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-787-43630-5 }}</ref>

==Services==
{{VTEC route |width=350px |collapse=yes }}
{{Great Northern Route RDT |width=350px |collapse=yes }}
{{Grand Central routes |width=350px |collapse=yes }}
{{First Hull Trains Route |width=350px |collapse=yes }}
The station hosts services on inter-city routes to the [[East of England]], Yorkshire, [[North East England]] and eastern and northern Scotland, connecting to major cities and towns such as Cambridge, Peterborough, Hull, Doncaster, Leeds, Bradford, York, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. Since June 2018, these major routes have been under government control, taking over from Stagecoach and Virgin.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44590366 |title=East Coast train line back under public control |work=BBC News |date=23 June 2018 |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624205447/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44590366 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Train services===
Five [[train operating companies]] (TOC) run services from King's Cross:

[[File:King's Cross.jpg|thumb|A photo of the refurbished concourse taken in 2013]]

====London North Eastern Railway====
[[London North Eastern Railway]] operates high speed inter-city services along the East Coast Main Line.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/timetables/ |title=Timetables |publisher=London North Eastern Railway |location=[[London]] |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624150802/https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/timetables/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The standard off-peak service pattern is as follows:

*1tph to {{Stnlnk|Lincoln}} or [[York railway station|York]] (alternating)
*2tph to {{Stnlnk|Leeds}}, of which 1tp2h is extended to each of {{Stnlnk|Bradford Forster Square}} and [[Harrogate railway station|Harrogate]]
*1tph (fast service) to {{Stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}} via [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]]
*1tph (semi-fast service) to {{Stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}} or [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]] calling at most stations en route.

====Govia Thameslink Railway====
[[Govia Thameslink Railway]] operates outer-suburban services to North London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk under their ''Thameslink'' and ''Great Northern'' brands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables/show-all/ |title=Latest train timetables |publisher=First Capital Connect |access-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804175154/http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables/show-all/ |archive-date=4 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{NRtimes|May 2025|15 }}</ref>

* 2tph to [[Letchworth Garden City railway station|Letchworth Garden City]], with 1tph extending to [[Cambridge railway station|Cambridge]]. These call at principal stations to Potter Bar and Hatfield, then all stations thence to Letchworth Garden City and Cambridge.
* 2tph to Cambridge (express services) extended to {{Stnlnk|Ely}} or {{Stnlnk|Kings Lynn}} (alternating). These run non-stop as far as Cambridge.

At weekday peak times, 2tph run to {{Stnlnk|Peterborough}} via {{Stnlink|Stevenage}} (express services). The company also serves Peterborough once per hour on a Sunday, calling at all stations north of Stevenage. At all other times, travellers wishing to access those stations need to change at Finsbury Park or use the nearby low-level station at St Pancras International.

====Hull Trains====
[[Hull Trains]] operates five inter-city services per weekday to Hull and two per weekday to Beverley,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hulltrains.co.uk/-/media/pdf-files/base-timetables/hull-trains-december-june-2024-customer-timetable-v2.pdf |title=Hull Trains timetable |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130145156/https://www.hulltrains.co.uk/-/media/pdf-files/base-timetables/hull-trains-december-june-2024-customer-timetable-v2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> via the East Coast Main Line. Unlike other train companies in [[FirstGroup]], Hull Trains operates under an [[Open-access operator|open-access arrangement]] and is not a franchised TOC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/destinations/trains-to-london/station-information/ |title=London King's Cross Station |publisher=Hull Trains |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-date=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306211133/http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/destinations/trains-to-london/station-information/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Grand Central====
[[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]] operates inter-city services to {{stnlink|Bradford Interchange}} and [[Sunderland station|Sunderland]] along the East Coast Main Line and is an open-access operator. On 23 May 2010, it began services to Bradford Interchange via [[Halifax railway station (West Yorkshire)|Halifax]], [[Brighouse railway station|Brighouse]], [[Mirfield railway station|Mirfield]], [[Wakefield Kirkgate railway station|Wakefield]], [[Pontefract Monkhill railway station|Pontefract]] and [[Doncaster railway station|Doncaster]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Grand Central launches West Riding service |work=Modern Railways |date=June 2010 |location=London |page=7 }}</ref> The service had originally been due to begin in December 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/London-rail-link-blow-Service.5567438.jp |title=London rail link blow: Service will be delayed until May |date=19 August 2009 |access-date=21 August 2009 |newspaper=Halifax Evening Courier |first=Colin |last=Drury |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822120504/http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/London-rail-link-blow-Service.5567438.jp |archive-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grandcentralrail.com/mirfield-news |title=Next stop – Mirfield |publisher=Grand Central |location=York |year=2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110103914/http://www.grandcentralrail.com/mirfield-news |archive-date=10 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On Monday{{ndash}}Friday, there are four trains per day to Bradford Interchange (of which two will call at Pontefract Monkhill) and five trains per day to Sunderland.

====Lumo====
[[Lumo (train operating company)|Lumo]], another FirstGroup open access operator, operates five services per day to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] via {{stnlink|Newcastle}} and {{Stnlink|Morpeth}}. Two of the daily services also call to pick up passengers at {{Stnlink|Stevenage}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lumo.co.uk/plan-your-journey/our-timetable |title=Our Timetable |publisher=Lumo |date=2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127040556/https://www.lumo.co.uk/plan-your-journey/our-timetable |url-status=live }}</ref> Two trains per day northbound extend to [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station|Glasgow Queen Street]] and one train per day starts from there.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=London and Glasgow to be linked by new service from ‘budget train company’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/lumo-glasgow-london-train-service-b2825225.html |access-date=2025-12-24 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

===Routes===
{{rail start}}
{{rail line|previous=|rows1=13|next={{stnlnk|Stevenage}} or<br>{{stnlnk|Grantham}}|route=[[Hull Trains]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Hull/Beverley]]</small> |col={{temporary rail colour|FF0099}} }}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{stnlnk|Stevenage}} or<br>{{stnlnk|Peterborough}}|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Leeds/Harrogate]]</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{rws|Newcastle}}|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line]]<br>The [[Flying Scotsman (train)|Flying Scotsman London-Edinburgh]]</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{rws|Peterborough}} or<br>{{rws|York}}|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Edinburgh]]</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{rws|Stevenage}} or<br>{{rws|Peterborough}}|rows2=2|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Newcastle/Edinburgh semi-fast]]</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{rws|Stevenage}} or<br>{{rws|Peterborough}}|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Lincoln/York]]</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes|hide2=yes}}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{rws|Peterborough}}|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Hull]]</small><br><small>''One train a day''</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|previous=''Terminus''|next={{rws|York}}|route=[[London North Eastern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London-Middlesbrough]]</small><br><small>''One train per weekday''</small>|col={{VTEC colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|next={{rws|Peterborough}} or<br>{{rws|York}}|route=[[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]]<br /><small>[[East Coast Main Line|North Eastern]]</small><br><small>London-Sunderland</small> |col={{GrandCentral colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line|next={{rws|Peterborough}} or<br>{{rws|Doncaster}}|route=[[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]]<br /><small>[[Grand Central (train operating company)#Current services|West Riding]]</small><br><small>London-Bradford Interchange</small>|col={{GrandCentral colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line |next={{rws|Cambridge}}|rows2=2|route=[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Great Northern]]<br /><small>[[Great Northern route|Cambridge Cruiser]]</small> |col={{GN colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line |next={{rws|Cambridge}}|route=[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Great Northern]]<br /><small>[[Fen Line|London-Kings Lynn/Ely]]</small> |col={{GN colour}}|hide1=yes|hide2=yes}}
{{rail line |route=[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Great Northern]]<br /><small>London-Cambridge (Stopping services)</small> |next={{stn|Finsbury Park}} |col={{GN colour}}|hide1=yes}}
{{rail line one to two|next1={{rws|Stevenage}}|next2={{rws|Newcastle}} |route=[[Lumo (train operating company)|Lumo]]<br /><small>[[East Coast Main Line|London to Edinburgh/Glasgow]]</small>|col={{ECT colour}} }}
{{s-note|text=Disused railways}}
{{rail line|previous={{stn|Finsbury Park}}|next={{stn|Farringdon}}<br><small>via King's Cross York Road</small>|route=[[Eastern Region of British Railways|British Rail<br />Eastern Region]]<br /><small>[[Widened Lines|City Widened Lines]]</small> |col={{BR(E) colour}} }}
{{s-note|text=Historical railways}}
{{rail line |next = [[Holloway & Caledonian Road railway station|Holloway &<br>Caledonian Road]]<br /><small>Line open, station closed</small> |route = [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]]<br><small>[[East Coast Main Line]]</small> |col = {{GNR colour}} }}
{{s-end}}

==London Underground station==
{{Main|King's Cross St Pancras tube station}}

[[File:King's Cross St Pancras stn western entrance 2012.JPG|thumb|Entrance to the tube station from the main concourse]]
King's Cross station shares a London Underground station with neighbouring St Pancras station. King's Cross St Pancras tube station is served by more lines than any other station on the London Underground. In {{tubeexits list|year}}, King's Cross St Pancras was the {{tubeexits list rank|King's Cross St Pancras tube station}} station on the system, with {{tubeexits list|King's Cross St Pancras tube station}} million passengers entering and exiting the station.<ref>{{Citation LU usage 2021 }}</ref> It is in [[London fare zone 1]] and caters for both King's Cross and the neighbouring [[St Pancras railway station]].

The station opened as part of the first section of [[Metropolitan Railway]] project on 10 January 1863; the first part of the Underground to open.{{sfn|Day|Reed|2008|p=14}}{{sfn|Rose|2016}} A separate station for the [[Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway]] (now the [[Piccadilly line]]) opened on 15 December 1906,{{sfn|Rose|2016}}{{sfn|Wolmar|2004|p=181}} with the [[City & South London Railway]] (now the [[Northern line]]) opening on 12 May 1907.{{sfn|Rose|2016}}{{sfn|Day|Reed|2008|p=47}} The Metropolitan line platforms were moved to their current location in 1941.{{sfn|Rose|2016}}
[[File:Kings Cross Underground Station - geograph.org.uk - 3776555.jpg | thumb|right | alt=Kings cross Underground station | King's Cross Underground station]]
The [[Victoria line]] platforms were opened on 1 December 1968.{{sfn|Rose|2016}}{{sfn|Menear|1983|p=112}} A major expansion to accommodate [[High Speed 1]] at St Pancras opened in November 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2009/november/kings-cross-st-pancras-tube-station-doubles-in-size-as-stateoftheart-ticket-hall-opens |title=King's Cross St. Pancras Tube station doubles in size as state-of-the-art ticket hall opens |date=27 November 2009 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822110845/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2009/november/kings-cross-st-pancras-tube-station-doubles-in-size-as-stateoftheart-ticket-hall-opens |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Cultural references==

===In fiction===

The station is mentioned in Chapter&nbsp;2 of [[E.M. Forster]]'s 1910 novel ''[[Howards End]]'', where it suggests "infinity" to the eldest Schlegel daughter, Margaret, and contrasted with the "facile splendours" of St. Pancras.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/e-m-forsters-draft-of-howards-end |title=E.M. Forster's draft of Howards End |publisher=British Library |access-date=15 March 2017 |archive-date=16 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316025816/https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/e-m-forsters-draft-of-howards-end |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the Reverend [[Wilbert Awdry]]'s 1957 children's book ''The Eight Famous Engines'', [[Gordon the Big Engine]] undertakes a journey to London, hoping to reach King's Cross, but ends up at St Pancras instead.<ref>{{cite book |first=Rev. W. |last=Awdry |title=The Eight Famous Engines |publisher=Kaye and Ward |year=1957 }}</ref>

In the 1994 children's book ''[[The Secret of Platform 13]]'' by Eva Ibbotson. Platform 13 of King's Cross Station in London has been closed for years. Changes to the platform always result in failure for mysterious reasons. The reason is that the platform hides a gump, described as an "opening that opens once every nine years for nine days". The gump leads to the Island, a wonderful mythical paradise filled with both normal and magical creatures.

[[File:cmglee_London_Kings_Cross_Platform_9_3_4.jpg|thumb|left|Tourists at [[Places in Harry Potter#Platform Nine and Three-Quarters|Platform {{frac|9|3|4}}]] in the western departures concourse]]
King's Cross features in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' books, by [[J. K. Rowling]], as the starting point of the [[Hogwarts Express]]. The train uses a secret [[Places in Harry Potter#Platform Nine and Three-Quarters|Platform {{frac|9|3|4}}]] accessed through the brick wall barrier between platforms 9 and 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34 |title=Platform 9<sup>3</sup>/<sub>4</sub> at King's Cross Station |publisher=King's Cross (official website) |access-date=25 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202132642/https://www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34 |archive-date=2 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In fact, platforms 9 and 10 are in a separate building from the main station and are separated by two intervening tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/For%20Passengers/Station%20Maps/4504_King%27s%20Cross%20Station%20Map.pdf |title=King's Cross – Station Guide |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=3 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205041223/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/For%20Passengers/Station%20Maps/4504_King%27s%20Cross%20Station%20Map.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2009 }}</ref> Instead, the brick roof-support arches between platforms 4 and 5 were redressed by the film crew and used to represent a brick wall that does not exist between the real platforms 9 and 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-magician.co.uk/harry-potter-london-locations.htm |title=Harry Potter London locations |work=The Magician |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207231500/http://www.the-magician.co.uk/harry-potter-london-locations.htm |archive-date=7 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By 2003, a sign marking Platform 9 3/4 was put up at the station,<ref>{{Cite web |title=England Trip 2004 – King's Cross Station |url=https://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~hyde/England2004/KingsCross.html |access-date=24 February 2025 |website=www.eg.bucknell.edu |archive-date=6 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406202854/https://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~hyde/England2004/KingsCross.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Platform 9-3/4, Kings Cross Station, London |url=https://www.mattblaze.org/photos/misc/platform9.75.html |access-date=24 February 2025 |website=www.mattblaze.org |archive-date=6 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406203011/https://www.mattblaze.org/photos/misc/platform9.75.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Jim Mimiaga {{!}} Special to The Denver |date=5 May 2005 |title=Hello, Harry! |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2005/05/05/hello-harry-2/ |access-date=24 February 2025 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US |archive-date=16 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816022146/https://www.denverpost.com/2005/05/05/hello-harry-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with a trolley fixed to the wall added by the year 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 2005 |title=Pottering around England |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/pottering-around-england/article25678174/ |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA |archive-date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224221641/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/pottering-around-england/article25678174/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Paul |date=18 November 2005 |title=The Potter trainspotters |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/nov/18/harrypotter.features |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 }}</ref> The location of the trolley moved after renovations, and a ''Harry Potter''-themed shop opened nearby in 2012.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dWEM-1BoqE |title=Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4, London |date=15 December 2012 |last=LeakyNews |access-date=24 February 2025 |via=YouTube |archive-date=7 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407071148/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dWEM-1BoqE |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Ellie |date=14 December 2012 |title=Harry Potter shop opens: the verdict |url=https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2012/dec/14/harry-potter-shop-opens-verdict |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Platform 9 3/4 |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/platform-9-3-4 |access-date=24 February 2025 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en |archive-date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213081258/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/platform-9-3-4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of the temporary buildings obscuring the façade of the real King's Cross station until 2012, the Harry Potter films showed St. Pancras in exterior station shots instead.<ref name=potter_msn>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/tripideas/londons-18-most-magical-harry-potter-sites/ss-BBuncTy?li=BBoPU0T |title=London's 18 Most Magical Harry Potter Sites |publisher=MSN |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021226/https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/tripideas/londons-18-most-magical-harry-potter-sites/ss-BBuncTy?li=BBoPU0T |url-status=live }}</ref>

When [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort)|The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]] at [[Universal Orlando Resort]] expanded to [[Universal Studios Florida]], the Wizarding Worlds in both [[Diagon Alley]] at Universal Studios Florida and [[Hogsmeade]] at [[Universal's Islands of Adventure]] were connected with the [[Hogwarts Express (Universal Orlando Resort)|Hogwarts Express]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Jim |title=Universal Orlando Will Use Lifelike Animation and Live Special Effects to Recreate Harry Potter's journey aboard the Hogwarts Express |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-hill/universal-orlando-will-us_b_4960154.html |website=Huffington Post |date=14 March 2014 |access-date=26 September 2017 |archive-date=8 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908021109/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-hill/universal-orlando-will-us_b_4960154.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Brady |title=A double dose of Harry Potter coming to Universal Orlando |url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-diagon-alley-wizarding-world-harry-potter-universal-orlando-20140520-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=30 May 2014 |archive-date=26 September 2017 |access-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926235855/http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-diagon-alley-wizarding-world-harry-potter-universal-orlando-20140520-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Universal Studios Florida station is based on King's Cross station and Platform {{frac|9|3|4}}, including a quarter-scale replica of the façade of King's Cross as the entrance to the station. It opened on 8 July 2014, alongside [[Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts]]. It replaced the [[Jaws (ride)|Jaws ride]] and the [[Amity Island]] themed area based on the ''[[Jaws (franchise)|Jaws]]'' franchise, which was permanently closed on 2 January 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/10903335/Inside-Harry-Potters-Diagon-Alley-Universal-Studios.html |title=Inside Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, Universal Studios |work=The Telegraph |location=London |first=Simon |last=Veness |date=19 June 2014 |access-date=2 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727143552/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/10903335/Inside-Harry-Potters-Diagon-Alley-Universal-Studios.html |archive-date=27 July 2015 |url-status=dead |quote=a one-fourth scale replica of King's Cross station }}</ref>

===In film===
The station, its surrounding streets and the railway approach feature prominently in the 1955 [[Ealing comedy]] film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)|The Ladykillers]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Belles and Whistles: Journeys Through Time on Britain's Trains |first=Andrew |last=Martin |page=173 |publisher=Profile Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-782-83025-2 }}</ref> In the story, a gang robs a security van near the station after planning in a house overlooking the railway. An establishing shot in the film gives and excellent view of platforms 0 and 1 on the east side of the station.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Now |first=Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and |title=Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now |url=https://chrisbungostudios.com/videos-and-photos-list |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now |language=en-US |archive-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709221900/https://chrisbungostudios.com/videos-and-photos-list |url-status=live }}</ref> When they fall out, members of the gang are dropped into passing goods wagons from the parapet of the [[Copenhagen Tunnel]] north of the station.<ref>{{cite book |title=The London Compendium |first=Ed |last=Glinert |page=882 |publisher=Penguin |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-718-19204-4 }}</ref>

The 1986 crime drama film ''[[Mona Lisa (1986 film)|Mona Lisa]]'' is set around King's Cross. At the time, the downmarket and seedy area surrounding the station, coupled with [[urban decay]], made it an ideal location. Subsequent early 1990s [[tabloid newspaper|tabloid]] coverage of crime and prostitution around King's Cross referred back to the film.{{sfn|Campkin|2013|p=112}}

[[Pet Shop Boys]] released a song titled "King's Cross" on the 1987 album ''[[Actually]]'' and the station was extensively filmed in for the group's 1988 feature film ''[[It Couldn't Happen Here]]''. The band's singer [[Neil Tennant]] said that the station was a recognisable landmark coming into London, attempting to find opportunities away from the high unemployment areas of Northeast England at the time. The song was primarily about "hopes being dashed" and "an epic nightmare".{{sfn|Campkin|2013|p=84}} The group subsequently asked filmmaker [[Derek Jarman]] to direct a background video for "King's Cross" for their 1989 tour, which featured a black and white sequence of juddery camera movements around the local area.{{sfn|Campkin|2013|p=85}} Despite the song's reference to "dead and wounded on either side", it was actually released a few months ''before'' the [[King's Cross fire]].

===Monopoly===
King's Cross station is a square on the British [[Monopoly (game)|''Monopoly'']] board. The other three stations in the game are [[Marylebone station|Marylebone]], [[Fenchurch Street station|Fenchurch Street]] and [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]], and all four were LNER termini at the time the game was being designed for the British market in the mid-1930s.{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=159}}

==References==
=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Sources ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Campkin |first=Ben |year=2013 |title=Remaking London: Decline and Regeneration in Urban Culture |publisher=I. B. Tauris |isbn=978-0-857-73416-7}}
* {{Cite book |last=Christopher |first=John |year=2013 |title=King's Cross Station Through Time |publisher=[[Amberley Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-445-62359-7}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Day |first1=John R. |last2=Reed |first2=John |year=2008 |orig-year=1963 |title=The Story of London's Underground |url=https://archive.org/details/storyoflondonsun0000dayj/page/n5/mode/2up |url-access=registration |edition=10th |publisher=Capital Transport |isbn=978-1-85414-316-7 }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Gourvish |first1=Terry |last2=Anson |first2=Mike |year=2004 |title=British Rail 1974–1997: From Integration to Privatisation |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19926-909-9}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Alan A. |year=1984 |orig-year=1969 |title=London's Termini |location=London |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=0-330-02747-6}}
* {{Cite book |first=Laurence |last=Menear |year=1983 |title=London's Underground Stations: A Social and Architectural Study |publisher=Midas |isbn=978-0-859-36124-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Moore |first=Tim |year=2003 |title=Do Not Pass Go |publisher=Vintage |isbn=978-0-099-43386-6}}
* {{Cite web |author={{Text|National Rail Enquiries}} |author-mask=[{{Italics correction|''National Rail Enquiries''}}] |title=London Kings Cross (KGX) |url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/KGX/details.html |website=National Rail Enquiries |publisher=[[National Rail]] |access-date=31 January 2016 |ref=none |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228150151/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/KGX/details.html |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |author={{Text|Network Rail}} |author-mask=[Network Rail] |title=Stations Run by Network Rail |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/765.aspx |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=23 August 2009 |ref=none |archive-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117181238/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/765.aspx |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite book |last=Rose |first=Douglas |year=2016 |orig-year=1980 |title=The London Underground: A Diagrammatic History |edition=9th |publisher=Douglas Rose/Capital Transport |isbn=978-1-85414-404-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sharpe |first=Brian |year=2009 |title=The Flying Scotsman: The Legend Lives on |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-845-63090-4}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |last1=Simmons |first1=Jack |last2=Biddle |first2=Gordon |year=1997 |title=The Oxford Companion to British Railway History |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-019-211697-0}}
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{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150429044237/http://www.lner.info/co/GNR/kingscross.shtml History of Kings Cross, at the LNER Encyclopedia]
* [https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/all-change-at-kings-cross-7565844.html "All Change at King's Cross"]—Pictures of the new concourse opened in March 2012, ''Evening Standard'' ([https://archive.today/20130505064628/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/arts/architecture/all-change-at-kings-cross-7565844.html?action=gallery archive])
* {{Cite magazine |title=Modern Signalling Methods |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov07_09Rail-t1-body-d5-d2.html |magazine=The New Zealand Railways Magazine |volume=7 |issue=9 |date=1 April 1933}} Article on new colour light signals.

===Video links===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120316135147/http://www.britishrailways.tv/british-railways?task=viewvideo&video_id=1346 1935, Demonstration run of 'Silver Jubilee' to Grantham]
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38467 1944, Retirement of driver Duddington] ({{Webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20130119052331/http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38467 |date=19 January 2013 }})
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zit3VU0muOI 1938, Stirling Single special train]

{{Great Northern Route}}
{{Major railway stations in Britain}}
{{Transport in London}}
{{London landmarks}}
{{TSGN and SE Stations|Fen=y|Northern City=y|Peterborough=y|SE None=y|SN None=y}}
{{Railway stations served by Grand Central}}
{{Railway stations served by Hull Trains}}
{{Railway stations served by London North Eastern Railway}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1852 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Former Great Northern Railway stations]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in the London Borough of Camden|King's Cross Station]]
[[Category:Grade I listed railway stations]]
[[Category:John McAslan railway stations]]
[[Category:Kings Cross, London]]
[[Category:Lewis Cubitt railway stations]]
[[Category:London station group]]
[[Category:Network Rail managed stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1852]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the London Borough of Camden]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Govia Thameslink Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Grand Central Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Hull Trains]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by London North Eastern Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Lumo]]
[[Category:Railway termini in London]]
[[Category:Train driver depots in England]]