It’s often nostalgic to look back at places that have been torn asunder by major construction sites and think, goodness, it really did look like that.

Thanks to the magic of Google Street view and its archive facility – here are some then and now photos along the central section of the Crossrail project.

Abbey Wood Station

North Woolwich tunnel head

Connaught Tunnel

Custom House Station

Silvertown Station

Whitechapel Station

Liverpool Street Station

Moorgate Station

Farringdon Station

Tottenham Court Road Station

Paddington Station

All photos courtesy Google Street View.