Research
Introduction to research at LTM
As well as visiting the Museum at Covent Garden, there are many other ways to use the collections at London Transport Museum to find out more about London’s public transport, past present and future.
Research
The Museum is continually adding to the ways in which you can access our collections. Explore our Collections online to find out more.
Ways to search
There are many ways to search Collections online and discover the 260,000+ records we have online.
On the landing page you can search using the interactive slider to see objects and records which were designed, made, printed and in service - to name a few - between those dates.
You can also use the free text box to search for objects by keyword, theme, name, location, company, or reference number. If you leave the box blank and click ‘search’, all records will appear.
Once you have made your search, there are more filters available - you can filter your results by if they have images, their collection type, object type, where you can see them, topics, associated places, makers (printers, commissioners, artists, photographers for example) and by colour.
You can browse all of the objects in a certain collection type - e.g. Posters or Vehicles by clicking here.
To find out more about the stories in our collection, and discover the fascinating connection between the objects, you can browse our new Stories section. See all stories here or choose a category below to find out more.
You can do research at the Museum Library, by appointment.
Our unique Library collection contains over 15,000 books, journals and special collections covering the development of London and its public transport. The collection also covers the wider transport story in the history of art, architecture and design.
The Museum Depot at Acton holds the main collections of vehicles, signs, posters, photographs, ephemera, plans, drawings and small objects.
As the Depot is a working store, research visits are limited to Mondays only. Most collections are accessible for research but not all.
To arrange a research visit, please suggest at least two dates on a Monday when you are able to visit and give at least two weeks’ notice.
If you are unable to visit on a Monday, other days may be possible by arrangement if sufficient notice is given.
To arrange a visit, please contact the Duty Curator by email with the following information:
- Your name
- A contact number and email address
- Two dates on a Monday when you are able to visit (at least two weeks’ notice).
- What sort of material you would like to research
- Any other information about your request
Email: [email protected]
Are you looking for information about a relative or ancestor who worked on London’s public transport? Use our guide to family history research below to discover resources available at the Museum and other places where staff records are held.
Key pieces of the puzzle are identifying which company your ancestor worked for, what job they were doing and when. These clues will help you identify any relevant surviving records and sources of information. A visit to our Library can be helpful for background research. You can explore the working life of staff at that time and the company (or companies) they might have worked for.
In the Library you can also view some of the sources referred to in the guide including staff magazines from 1914 onwards. The magazines are our main source of information on individual employees at the Museum and often the only confirmation of employment when formal staff records have not survived. They also provide a fascinating glimpse into the social and working lives of transport staff at different times.
For further information please download our Family history research guide below.
The official records for Transport for London, London Transport and predecessor companies are administered by Transport for London Corporate Archives.
Please check their catalogue and contact them direct for information about surviving records.