Get ready to ‘Act-on It!’ at London Transport Museum’s Depot

Everyone can play their part in making London a net-zero city, and at London Transport Museum’s Depot in Acton Town, west London, from Saturday 2 July to Sunday 3 July, visitors can discover first-hand the important role public transport is playing to keep the city green. 

During the special ‘Act-on It!’ Open Days taking place during London Climate Action Week, London Transport Museum’s Depot is throwing open its doors for visitors to see its many historical artefacts and one-of-a-kind collection objects that tell the story of London and its transport network over the past 220 years.  

London is known globally for its iconic transport network, from the creation of the first underground steam locomotives in 1860, all the way through to the present-day fleet of electric buses. The vehicles, artworks, maps and signage housed at London Transport Museum’s Depot track this transport evolution. The ‘Act-on It’ Open Days will explore how transport technology being rolled out today is transforming how we can sustainably move around the Capital.   

The Act-on It! Depot Open Days are part of London Transport Museum’s Climate Crossroads 18-month programme, shining a light on sustainable cities, travel, transport and greener skills for the future. Programme sponsors Mastercard, Mott MacDonald, Cubic Transportation System and Sopra Steria aim to inspire visitors to take action that helps us get to a net-zero future together. 

At the ‘Act-on It’ Depot Open Days, visitors can take part in a whole host of interactive activities to discover how even the smallest of acts can make a big difference when it comes to helping the environment.  

Visitors to the ‘Act-on It’ Depot Open Days can also explore London Transport Museum’s extensive collection of historic vehicles including Tube trains, buses, trolleybuses and trams. For the first time, the Museum’s iconic RM1 Routemaster, built in 1954, will be displayed alongside one of London’s most revolutionary buses, the ADL/BYD Enviro 400 Electric, the best-in class bus from route 63.

Route 63 buses, taking passengers between Kings Cross and Honor Oak, have a skylight on the upper deck, larger rear window, USB chargers and larger wheelchair and buggy area, helping to improve accessibility for people travelling around London. Powered by a 382 kilowatt battery pack technology, these Abellio buses are helping to lower emissions and create a greener future for the city and its residents. Knowledgeable volunteers and real-world STEM Ambassador engineers from Abellio will be on hand to talk about the latest technology as visitors take a peek under the hood to discover how these brand new buses really work. 

Families can pick up a trail to guide them around the Depot to discover gems from London’s transport past, from the ‘Garden-Seat’ type horse bus to the Feltham double deck electric tram which are preserved in the Museum’s collection. Families with tiny tots can also pick up a special ‘green’ self-guided trail to find fun facts hidden around the Depot exploring the past, present and future of transport innovation.   

Families with children aged 5 to 12 can experiment with different ways to power transport of the future, from wind and solar to other forms of green energy as they create vehicles from recycled materials. These ‘Green Street’ activities will take place daily between 10:00 to 15:30 in the Family Zone, located on the mezzanine floor of the Depot.    

Storytelling sessions will take place five-times a day for families with children 7 and under. Families can settle down to enjoy two stories about life in London and how we can create a greener future for the city. Meet Poppy, an early electric pioneer, and find out about her exciting journey to the Museum Depot, or enjoy the call of the wild with Kayla the Kestrel as she and her young son Kenny swoop and dive around London’s green spaces. 

On display throughout the Depot, visitors will be able to marvel at miniature transport displays made entirely of LEGO. The creators of these transport wonderlands will be available to help answer any questions about how to recreate these amazing mini metropolises at home.

Visitors of all ages can try their hand at being a train operator in the museum’s Victoria Line driving cab and see two Q stock Tube cars dating from the 1930s which are currently being resorted to their former glory. 

No visit to the Depot would be complete without jumping aboard the London Transport Miniature Railway. The miniature railway is open all weekend. Tickets cost £1 per person and tickets are available to purchase in person on the day of your visit.  

The London Transport Museum Depot shop will be open offering exclusive gifts and souvenirs, from moquette pattern socks, scarves and cushions, to framed posters, limited-edition prints and authentic Underground signs. Refreshments will be available from Mini Bean Coffee.  

Timed tickets to visit the London Transport Museum Depot ‘Act-on It’ Open Days must be booked in advance online. Adult tickets cost £15 and tickets for children cost £7.50. Kids aged 3 and under go free. Concessions are available including local resident tickets for residents of Ealing, Hounslow or Hillingdon. To book visit: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot/summer 

SEND Opening 

For families with special educational needs and disabilities, the 10:00 and 10:30 timeslots on Sunday 3 July are reserved to explore the Depot in peace and take part in a sensory storytelling session or hands-on activities. Tickets sold separately. To book visit: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot/send

London Transport Museum’s Depot will open for a further unique event this year: 

Depot Unlocked Open Days, Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 September 2022