Name: Depot Open Days: Electric Journeys
Start: 2023-03-24T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2023-03-24T23:59:00+00:00
Location: London Transport Museum Depot

Easter holidays: Plants and Poems

This Easter holiday, dig deep into history and explore the powerful relationship between London and its green environment. Learn about the resilience of plants and let your creativity blossom through poetry, science and storytelling workshops.

Down Street: Churchill's secret station

Experience the Railway Executive Committee’s bomb-proof headquarters during World War II, the warren of tunnels where Churchill sheltered.

Plan your school visit

Find the information you need to plan and book your visit to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden or the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton, west London.

Spark your curiosity about how electricity revolutionised our city

Step behind the scenes at our Museum Depot in Acton to discover how electricity has shaped London and its transport system through the ages, from futuristic inventions in the early days of electric travel through to the Oyster card revolution and visions of London’s electric future.

Learn about electric pioneers and advancements in London’s transport story, as well as their depictions in art and design, as you explore our collection of more than 320,000 objects. Don’t miss this opportunity to marvel at our historic buses, Tube trains, trams and trolley buses!

This event is part of our Climate Crossroads programme, sponsored by ABM, Mastercard and Sopra Steria.

What's happening?

Every day

Vehicles on show

See an electric, zero emissions Abellio operated Wrightbus Electroliner bus on display, and climb aboard it to chat with representatives from Abellio about their electric bus fleet. We’re also bringing Routemaster coach RCL2229 out into the yard so you can get a closer look. Inside the train shed, don’t miss the Lime e-scooter and e-bike, and make sure to step inside the Standard Stock, 38 Stock and 67 Stock carriages!

Tours of the Poster Store

These tours will run every half hour from 11:30, but capacity is limited so do sign up to reserve your place.

Food and drink

Refreshments will be available from Mini Bean Coffee and Auntie Bonnie’s Jerk Pit.

Shopping

You can buy a range of unique gifts from the Museum Shop, memorabilia from the Friends of London Transport Museum and prints and illustrations from local artist Charlotte Berridge.

Friday 24 March

11:45 and 13:15 Power! Design and Electricity
This talk from curator Georgia Morley presents a brief history of the electrification of London’s transport, lighting, architecture and posters, explaining how electricity has shaped London’s historic transport network all the way up to the present day.
12:30 and 14:45 Electrical vehicle charging technology
A discussion led by Leon Rooke of ABM all about electric vehicle charging technology.
14:00 and 15:00 It’s electrifying!
A fascinating talk about the electrification of road and rail by Justin Moss from Siemens Mobility.
Saturday 25 March

11:45 and 14:00 Up in the Clouds
Fiona Jones discusses the latest electric journeys that are possible with the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
12:30 and 14:45 London’s electric past (and present)
This talk from Curator Matt Brosnan covers how electricity has shaped London’s historic transport network, including during the modern TfL era.
London Transport Miniature Railway
Ride on our working 7¼ in gauge London Transport Miniature Railway: it’s based on real London Underground locomotives, carriages, signals and signs (tickets sold separately on the day).
Family Zone
There will be Singing and Stories, ideal for under 7s, taking place every half hour from 11:30 in the Learning Lorry in the Yard. Everyone can strike a pose at the #LoveTheTube Tube 160 selfie station!
Learning Zone
Drop in to the Tinker Station in the Learning Zone where children over 8 can try coding electric trains - see if you can crack the trains’ commands! You can also create your own light-up posters using LEDs and mini circuits to take home.
Sunday 26 March

11:45 and 14:00 It’s electrifying!
A fascinating talk about the electrification of road and rail by Justin Moss from Siemens Mobility.
12:30 and 14:45 London’s electric future
Hear about the latest electric journeys that are now possible in this talk by Judith Hayton from TfL’s Transport Strategy and Policy department
London Transport Miniature Railway
Ride on our working 7¼ in gauge London Transport Miniature Railway: it’s based on real London Underground locomotives, carriages, signals and signs (tickets sold separately on the day).
Family Zone
There will be Singing and Stories, ideal for under 7s, taking place every half hour from 11:30 in the Learning Lorry in the Yard. Everyone can strike a pose at the #LoveTheTube Tube 160 selfie station!
Learning Zone
Drop in to the Tinker Station in the Learning Zone where children over 8 can try coding electric trains - see if you can crack the trains’ commands! You can also create your own light-up posters using LEDs and mini circuits to take home.

SEND Friendly - Early Explorer Hour

We are reserving the 10:00 time slot on Sunday 26 March during our Electric Journeys Open Days for families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, to ensure a quiet and warm welcome to the Depot.

Explore the Museum’s stores (over 320,000 objects!) in peace, take part in a small storytelling tour or bring the collection to life by borrowing one of our immersive sensory bags (limited supply).

Advanced booking is essential as places are limited, and must be booked online.

Please note: tickets for the 11.00 timeslot are available for the general public to book.

Book now for the Early Explorer Hour