Depot Open Days: Depot Unlocked
About the event
Hidden behind the doors of our Depot, there’s a world of transport treasures. What does it take to keep a collection store with more than 320,000 objects running smoothly? At our final Depot Open Days of 2022, a range of Museum historians and curators, transport experts and volunteers look forward to sharing their stories.
Join us as we explore how London’s transport has shaped our city for over a century - from the Underground to hidden gems over ground. Our curatorial team will lift the lid on the work they do to care for the huge range of collection objects, from London’s first red Routemaster bus to historic maps and signs, and even a futuristic prototype Tube train from 1986.
What's happening?
Every day
Restoration in process
See the restoration projects our volunteers are currently working on in the Train Shed. On Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, our Q stock restoration volunteers will be on hand restoring a unique piece of the District line’s heritage, the last three remaining 1930s Q stock cars.
Family trail
Explore the Depot with a puzzle and code breaking trail, linked to our collection highlights, featuring word searches and activities to try as you look around.
Family Zone
Play with our huge Brio train set, or take some quiet time in our reading corner and colouring area.
Souvenir shopping
The Depot shop will be open offering exclusive gifts and souvenirs, ranging from moquette pattern socks, scarves and cushions, to framed posters, limited-edition prints and authentic Underground signs.
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Thursday 22 September
12:15 Restoring and repairing
Stephen Umpleby, conservator with Artefacts Conservation Services, will explain how he has restored and repaired objects in the Museum’s collection. He will reveal the processes and materials needed to sensitively restore historic objects in a way that is reversible and true to each artefact’s heritage.
13:30 Protect the moquette!
Senior Curator Georgia Morley will talk about her work researching and protecting the Museum’s moquette collection. Moquette is the iconic woollen fabric used in upholstery on public transport all over the world, and requires a great deal of care to protect it from pests and light pollution.
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Friday 23 September
11:30 Hack the Collection: a spotter’s guide to the Depot
This special lecture from Head Curator Matt Brosnan is the perfect way to set up your day exploring the Depot. He’ll share insider knowledge to help you identify which architect designed a particular Tube station, what the number of lines on an Underground sign arrow can tell you, and highlight key quirky objects like the spiral escalator to look out for.
12:15 Transforming the Depot
Our Director Sam Mullins OBE will talk about the building’s history and how the team turned the Depot from a working repair centre into the wonderful hub for collections care, community learning and outreach people know today.
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Saturday 24 September
11:30 Hack the Collection: a spotter’s guide to the Depot
This special lecture from Head Curator Matt Brosnan is the perfect way to set up your day exploring the Depot. He’ll share insider knowledge to help you identify which architect designed a particular Tube station, what the number of lines on an Underground sign arrow can tell you, and highlight key quirky objects like the spiral escalator to look out for.
12:15 Transforming the Depot
Our Director Sam Mullins OBE will talk about the building’s history and how the team turned the Depot from a working repair centre into the wonderful hub for collections care, community learning and outreach people know today.
Creative family challenges
Make your own train with our junk modelling activity, and add it to our street scene. Write about a journey you’ve been on and add it to our Big Journey Story for everyone to read. Challenge yourself with puzzles and codes to crack the secret of the Depot!
London Transport Miniature Railway (LTMR)
Ride on our working 7¼ in gauge miniature railway: it’s based on real London Underground locomotives, carriages, signals and signs.
LTMR rides cost £1 per single ticket or £5 per carriage: 1 carriage can hold 1 adult and 4 children; 2 adults and 3 children OR 3 adults.
An LTMR Miniature Oyster Card is also available, costing £9 for 10 rides.
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Sunday 25 September
13:30 Collecting the Elizabeth line
Documentary Curator Rosamund Lily West will discuss her most recent contemporary collecting projects including gathering stories, objects and experiences to chart the journey of the Elizabeth line’s construction and opening to the public.
Creative family challenges
Make your own train with our junk modelling activity and add it to our street scene. Write about a journey you’ve been on and add it to our Big Journey Story for everyone to read. Challenge yourself with puzzles and codes to crack the secret of the Depot!
London Transport Miniature Railway
Ride on our working 7¼ in gauge miniature railway: it’s based on real London Underground locomotives, carriages, signals and signs.
LTMR rides cost £1 per single ticket or £5 per carriage: 1 carriage can hold 1 adult and 4 children; 2 adults and 3 children OR 3 adults.
An LTMR Miniature Oyster Card is also available, costing £9 for 10 rides.
Gallery
Tickets
Ticket type | Price |
---|---|
Adult | £15 |
Child (4 - 17) | £7.50 |
Child (3 and under) | Free |
Visitors with disabilities | £10/ £5 (adult/ child) |
Companion/ Carer | Free |
Concession* | £10 |
Adult - Local resident** Museum annual passholder Corporate Supporter | £10 |
Child – of above | £5 |
LTM Friends | Free |
TfL staff and nominee | Free |
TfL Staff Child | Free |
*Concessionary rates available for over 60s and students (with valid ID)
** Local resident ticket available to residents of Ealing, Hounslow or Hillingdon