Name: Elizabeth line Late
Start: 2022-10-21T18:45:00+01:00
End: 2022-10-21T22:00:00+01:00
Location: London Transport Museum

May Half Term: Routes and Roundels

Fuel your imagination at our Festival of Curiosity this half term as your family enjoy curious and creative problem-solving challenges and meet real-world engineers. Follow our STEAM-inspired family trail, join an interactive workshop or storytelling session, and much more!

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.

Come to this special Friday Late celebrating the opening of the Capital’s new high-speed railway, the Elizabeth line!

Enjoy nostalgic games and creative activities hosted by historical costumed characters from different decades of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, from hopscotch and snakes and ladders to wristband making and balloon modelling. Show off your design skills as you build your own railway station and test your knowledge of London’s latest railway line in a fun pub-style quiz. Learn about the development of the Elizabeth line, and how the museum is documenting the journey of its launch - and try ‘driving’ an Elizabeth line train yourself!

18+ only

A smiling bearded drag queen wearing a pink dress, elaborate necklace and blue wig

Photo taken from above of a group of people looking around a colourful museum gallery

What's happening?

Short Talks

All Short Talks will take place in the Transportorium, which is on the Ground Floor of the gallery.

19:00pm – 19:30pm: Building the Elizabeth line

Simon Bennett, Head of Learning Legacy at Crossrail, will discuss the latter stages of the Elizabeth line’s construction and the process of shifting into operation.

19:45pm – 20:15pm: Collecting the Elizabeth line

Former Documentary Curator Rosamund Lily West will share how the Museum has been documenting the modern-day story of the Elizabeth line. Learn about the contemporary objects, artefacts and artworks being added to the our collection for visitors to discover in the future, from tunnelling machine parts to posters and moquette.

20:30pm – 21:00pm: Planning the Elizabeth line

Chris Nix, the Museum’s Assistant Director of Collections and Engagement will explore the history of the Elizabeth line and how plans for the railway we know today were first proposed more than 100 years ago.

21:00pm – 21:30pm: Building the Elizabeth line (Repeat)

Simon Bennett, Head of Learning Legacy at Crossrail, will discuss the latter stages of the Elizabeth line’s construction and the process of shifting into operation.

Entertainment

18:45pm – 22:00pm: Zoom Through History presents ‘Games Through the Decades’

Take a seat at the giant street party table to enjoy nostalgic games from different decades of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the line’s royal namesake. Think hopscotch and Snakes and Ladders to wristband making, all led by quirky costumed historical characters from whichever decade you find yourself in. Zoom Through History’s ‘Games Through the Decades’ will be located in the main gallery space on the Ground Floor.

18:45pm – 21:30pm: Build Your Dream Station Craft Modelling Activity and Competition

Don’t miss this creative craft challenge! Show off your design skills to imagine and build your own Elizabeth line station from basic materials. Why not take inspiration from the striking architecture of the line’s ten new stations? Your completed station will be judged by Simon Bennett, Crossrail’s Head of Learning Legacy, with prizes awarded for the best structure! The Build Your Dream Station Activity will take place outside the Transportorium on the Ground Floor.

19:45pm – 20:15pm: Elizabeth line Pub Quiz (Round 1)

21:00pm – 21:45pm: Elizabeth line Pub Quiz (Round 2)

Put on your purple thinking cap to test your knowledge about London’s latest line in a quiz hosted by drag queen extraordinaire The Nightbus. Discover surprising answers and fascinating facts, and get the chance to win purple Elizabeth line moquette merchandise from our shop!

18:45 - 22:00pm: Exclusive shopping opportunities

Get your hands on a range of sell-out Elizabeth line merchandise from the Shop, including purple moquette pattern socks, scarves and throws, as well as eye-catching limited-edition t-shirts featuring a modern adaptation of a classic London Transport poster by surrealist artist Man Ray.

Refreshments

18:45pm – 21:30pm: Crafty Caravan Drinks Bar

The Crafty Caravan Drinks Bar will serve delicious purple cocktails, inspired by the colour of the Elizabeth line: would you prefer a blueberry or Parma violet margarita? Kir Royale or espresso martini? Wine, craft beers and soft drinks will also be available. The Crafty Caravan Drinks Bar will be located in front of the Leyland Bus on the Ground Floor.