Vintage vehicles and subterranean secrets at London Transport Museum Depot
West London's treasure trove of transport history is opening its doors to the public for one more time this year. From Thursday 23 September to Sunday 26 September, London Transport Museum Depot is yours to explore, with talks, demos, and a ton of beautiful heritage
vehicles to admire.
Not made it down to the Depot yet? Tucked away in Acton and open for a mere handful of weekends each year, it's one of London's best-kept secrets — home to over 320,000 objects from the capital's transport history. Basically, it's heaven for tube fans, Routemaster enthusiasts, and any other flavour of London transport aficionado you can think of.
For its final opening of 2021, the Depot delves into all things Underground, with a range of activities exploring the secret spaces beneath London's streets. Read on to find out more about the Underground Uncovered programme, then grab your tickets via one of our big blue buttons. |
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| Underground Uncovered Talks Into ghost stations? Visit on Friday for a fascinating talk by disused station expert Siddy Holloway. The Secrets of the London Underground co-host will share clips from the TV show and answer your burning questions about the tube network's abandoned bits. There's also a load of bite-size lectures running all weekend, with topics ranging from transport art history to station architecture. |
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| Rare Vehicles In addition to the Depot treasures on regular display, you've got the rare chance to ogle two historic works vehicles: the red 89Q tower wagon (1936) and the 351X Fordson tractor (1937), both once used on the tram network. You should also pay a visit to the train shed, where three beautiful 1930s Q stock carriages are being restored to their former glory. |
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| Sensational Souvenirs Original station signs, moquette fabric scraps, genuine tread plates — just a few of the authentic tube treasures you can pick up for bargain prices in the London Transport Museum shop in the Depot, where collectors can also get their hands on just-released model locomotives. Meanwhile, the Friends' Shop is home to a range of secondhand transport ephemera. |
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| A Turn In The Driver's Seat Realise those childhood dreams and (temporarily) step into the shoes of a Train Operator. Sitting inside a Victoria Line driving cab, you'll see for yourself how trains on the world's first automatic railway work. Elsewhere, you can also watch a demonstration with restored London Underground signalling frames. |
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| Family Fun Whilst this month's programme of talks is more suitable for adults and older kids, there's still plenty to keep the little ones occupied. That includes storytelling, tube tile-themed arts and crafts, an explorers' trail and — the pièce de résistance for tiny trainspotters — a go on the London Transport Miniature Railway. |
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