Nestled away near the end of the District Line is the London Transport Museum Depot. Filled to the brim with over 320,000 transport-related bits and bobs, the depot is an absolute treasure trove for transport-lovers. But it’s, unfortunately, very rarely open to the the public. I come bearing some rail-y great news, though. A few times a year, the depot opens its (usually firmly locked) doors to the public – allowing us mere mortals to have a good old nosey around. And the dates for this year’s open days have just been announced.
The Transport Depot open days offer visitors the exciting opportunity to explore the fascinating fragments that make up London’s rich transport tapestry. From horse-drawn carriages and decommissioned tube carriages to old-school buses and rare road and rail vehicles; the open days give Londoners (and beyond) the chance to discover one of the most comprehensive collections of urban transport in the world.
The depot serves as a working museum store, housing thousands of items from London’s transport history, including every piece of paraphernalia imaginable; from signs, original posters, ceramic tiles, and even ticket machines. The open days feature talks, behind-the-scenes tours, interactive activities, and ‘festival style’ family fun by the carriage-load.
The London Transport Museum Depot also boasts the beloved London Transport Miniature Railway. This working miniature railway is based on actual London Underground locomotives, carriages, signals and signs. It’s looked after by a group of volunteers and pays homage to our pioneering public transport network.
Credit: @mindthemoquette via IG
On selected dates in April, the depot will be holding ‘A Transport Celebration’, commemorating 200 years of UK railways and 25 years of our trusty Transport for London. Visitors will be able to walk through Piccadilly Line train carriages and attend a series of unique tours and talks. The open days in June, ‘All Signals Green’, will take a deep-dive into how engineering and the advancement in technology has helped shape and evolve the transport network that we know today.
The London Transport Museum Depot open days will be taking place this year between April 4 – April 6 and June 27 – June 29. Find out more and plan your visit here.
