Thursday 17 November 2022

London Transport Museum - Power up at London Transport Museum! ⚡🚅💡

 

London Transport Museum
Spark your curiosity through our collections!
Inspired by the theme of our sold-out Electric Late, this month we’re highlighting collection objects related to electricity and how it revolutionised our city. Offering the public new ways to get around London by electric trams, trolleybuses and the Tube, electric power has shaped London and transformed our lives. 
A complex control panel with various dials and two sections labelled C and D
Object of the Month
Electrical control panel, Lots Road generating station, 1932
This 1932 electrical control panel from Lots Road power station was used to control a steam turbine and its generators, and to supply current to the Underground system.

Click on the image to find out more about this control panel, and to see a full photo including the glass domes at the foot of the panels: these are safety cut-outs, which could be operated with a swift kick in an emergency.

Discover more of the objects related to electricity in our collection by clicking the images below.

Poster artwork showing a woman operating power controls with the words They Also ServePoster artwork reading Power, the Nerve Centre of London's Underground with design of a power station and an arm pushing a power leverPhoto showing interior of a vast industrial building containing machinery

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Did you know?
In our collection, the Museum has a 45 minute long  film from 1969 explaining the construction of the new Victoria line. Follow us on TikTok to see the moment this new electrical power system was switched on for the first time.
Watch the power switching on
Paused video clip showing a hand turning on a power switch with a yellow lightning bolt underneath
More stories about electric power at London Transport
Photo of a crowd of people around an electric tram draped in decorations
In 1952, London’s trolleybus fleet of 1,811 vehicles was the largest in the world!
Trams and trolleybuses
Two smaller circular tunnels leading into a larger one
This abandoned station from the world's first electric deep level tube is still underground.
King William Street station
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The world's best hidden gem!
Thank you to everyone who voted for our Hidden London tours in the Tiqets Remarkable Venue Awards. In addition to winning the Best Hidden Gem in the UK, our exclusive tours have also won Best Hidden Gem in the Global awards!
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Black Friday: get up to 40% off two Hidden London tours
Enjoy exclusive discounts on selected Hidden London tours, only available this week.

Down Street: To get 40% off these tours, exploring the bomb-proof bunker where Prime Minister Winston Churchill secretly took refuge at the height of the Blitz, use the code BLACKFRIDAYDS40.

Shepherd's Bush: Get 25% off our newest tours, which uncover the original Central line design features and deserted corridors that stayed frozen in time, hidden from commuters since 1925. Use the code BLACKFRIDAYSB25.

These discounts are valid on bookings made from 16-20 November 2022, on 2022 tours only.
Down Street
Shepherd's Bush
Black Friday shop discounts during November

Orange, yellow and brown moquette patterned sock1000 piece Tube map jigsaw boxTopple tower game with tower of coloured blocks

Did you know that we offer exclusive discounts - including special Black Friday offers during November - to people who are subscribed to our Shop mailing list? Don't miss out on this chance to snap up unique gifts ahead of Christmas: update your email preferences below!
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Looking ahead to Christmas
Historical photo showing buses travelling through a city street at night with snowflake decorations displayed
10-11 and 17-18 December
Lights & Sights
Discover the West End's Christmas light displays on a magical journey with your family aboard a classic red Routemaster bus, to a soundtrack of festive music.
Lights & Sights
Father Christmas standing in front of a historic train
From 25 November
Christmas at the Museum
Want to bring your family to meet Santa? There's no better time to visit the Museum, where he'll be landing his sleigh in our winter wonderland. As always, kids go free!
Christmas at the Museum