Friends' projects

The Friends are involved in many projects, both supporting the Museum with funds for ambitious projects and developing our own initiatives.

One of the most significant in recent years has been the contribution of £150,000 towards the magnificent restoration of Metropolitan Railway carriage 353 in time for the Underground 150 celebrations in 2013. The carriage has subsequently operated with heritage steam trains in subsequent years. In 2017 it went on extended loan to the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

To coincide with the anniversary of the start of First World War in 2014, the Friends have also supported the restoration of a B-type bus - one of many which were sent to the front. "Battle Bus" has since been twice to the Flanders battlefields and has attended events around the UK.

Some of the projects are much longer-term, like the restoration of District Line 'Q' stock. Others, like the Heritage Electric Train and the signalling projects, provide hours of fun for visitors to the Museum Depot's open weekends.

The Friends are also actively involved in heritage bus operations, taking Museum vehicles to outside events, where they can be seen and enjoyed by a wider public audience.

Of course, projects don't just involve buses and rolling stock, as tram and cabbies' shelters are important reminders of our built transport heritage too.

 

PROJECTS 2022/3

Support for Museum projects in 2022/3 totalled £169,223.

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IMPROVED LIGHTING

Friends fund improved lighting to Museum displays

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LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The Museum's' Library catalogue goes online, thanks to a £17,000 grant from the Friends.

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Q-Stock

The project aims to restore three cars of Q-stock to operational condition.

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LEYLAND BUSES

The Friends actively supported the Museum in the acquisition of three superbly restored Leyland buses.

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Battle bus

Supported by the Friends, the Museum has launched the B-type Battle Bus – telling the story of the significant part...

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Met jubilee coach 353

Friends contributed £150,000 towards the restoration of Metropolitan Jubilee coach 353 for Underground 150

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Digitisation of LT staff publications

Friends have contributed funds to the digitisation of staff publications

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Heritage Train Engineering

A dedicated team of Friends has been working with the Museum to create an exhibit at the Depot at Acton,...

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Underground signalling

Friends have restored three signalling frames from the last hundred years of the Underground

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