Hidden Treasures

Away from the public eye, the London Transport Museum’s store at Acton depot is home to more than 400,000 items and artefacts, separate to those on display at the famous museum in Covent Garden.

Opened in October 1999, the 6,000 square metre depot in West London has a sizeable collection of rail vehicles, as well as everything from documents and models to signs and even engines.

One of the most interesting details about this rarely open site (it is only open two or three times a year for special visitor days) is its collection of London Underground history. 

Roundels from closed stations, signs that have since been superseded, nameplates from scrapped locomotives, and much more are all part of the 150-year story, in which the depot has played its part.