The kids and I spent most of our day in London visiting the Transport Museum. It is situated at the eastern end of Covent Garden, and is housed in the former Victorian flower market building. The museum packs in a lot of fun sights and information.
The kids stayed engaged with a museum map that needed to be stamped at stations all around the museum. C especially liked the kids' play areas (she made several friends). She stayed in there for some time while A and I looked at the exhibits. He loves reading all of the displays and studying the pictures. He also liked sitting in the bus captain's chair, and playing with the buttons! We learned that the bus numbers and destinations are printed on a large sheet, and the driver manually scrolls through the sheet to choose the correct signage.
We took in the history of all types of London transportation modes - horse, tram, bus, train, tube... they all evolved as the city and suburbs grew. There was also information on the future Crossrail plans for the Elizabeth underground line - a giant civil engineering project!
London Transport Museum, Covent Garden
The entry had large maps of large subway
systems (NYC, Tokyo, London, and others)
London today...
...and London 200 years ago!
Horse-drawn bus
Bus destination scrolls
The main exhibit area
Driving the bus!
Who's driving?
1960s bus
Before going in service, all buses have to
pass a tilt test whereby they do not tip before 28º
Old tram controls
On an old tube car - comfortable seats!
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