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The Library at London Transport Museum is open by appointment to anyone interested in finding out more about London's public transport - past, present and future.
Library catalogue
Our full catalogue is not yet available online, but you can search nearly 4000 of our books via LibraryThing.com. Browse through our online library or use the search options at the top of the page to find specific titles.
Our unique collection of over 12,000 books, journals and special collections covers:
- History of London and its public transport
- Buses, trams, trolleybuses, the Underground, railways, taxis and water transport
- Art, design, architecture and London's transport
- Transport for London, London Transport and their predecessors
- Public transport operation, policy and legislation
- Transport in other UK and world cities.
Reading lists
See our reading lists for recommended books on these topics:
London's transport history
London buses and coaches
London trams and trolleybuses
London's Underground
Journals
Use our journals and magazines to get up to date news and articles, or find out what the hot topics were in transport 100 years ago. See our Journals and magazines list for a full list of titles and dates.
If you need further advice about what's in the Library, please ask us.
Special collections
These collections can be viewed by appointment at our Acton Depot
Frank Pick collection
This is a collection of material owned and written by Frank Pick (1878-1941), first Chief Executive of London Transport. Pick's influence on the look and development of London Transport was enormous and can still be seen today. He was particularly interested in art, architecture and design.
Frank Pick collection list
A selection of items from this collection can be seen in our Online Museum.
Reinohl collection
Herbert and Albert Reinohl were two brothers with a passion for public transport. During a lifetime of collecting they filled 180 albums with material, mostly related to buses but also covering other types of public transport from the 19th century to the 1950s. Although primarily a ticket collection, it also includes illustrations, press cuttings, journal articles and other ephemera.
Family history
Family history is a popular topic at the Museum. The main source of information for individual employees is our unique series of staff magazines dating back to 1913, with a single earlier example for 1907. Because many formal records have not survived, the staff magazines often provide the only remaining reference to individuals employed by the organisation. They also provide a revealing insight into the social and working lives of ordinary people across the organisation at different times. The magazines are partially indexed. Our information sheet summarises all the records available at the Museum. A visit to the Library can also be helpful for background research. We might, for example, be able to help you identify which company your ancestor could have worked for - and then help establish if any records exist.
Family history at London Transport Museum
Archives
Transport for London Historical Archives administer the official records for Transport for London, London Transport and their predecessor companies. Information sheets on the Transport for London website have details of records available for historical research at various locations, including the Museum. For advice concerning records for family historians see their information sheet on Staff records and family history.
Make an enquiry
If you are interested in doing some research at the Museum Visit the Library tells you what you need to know about making an appointment.
Can't find what you want on our website or unable to visit? Ask us a question. Enquiries are answered as quickly as possible, but may take up to 20 working days.