London Transport's Electric Evolution Celebrated at Acton Depot
Powering London is the theme for three open days
Acton Depot. Picture: LT Museum
June 17, 2026
London Transport Museum is gearing up for a summer devoted to the power that has shaped the capital’s transport network for more than a century. From the world’s first underground electric railway in 1890 to today’s push toward a zero-emissions future, electricity takes centre stage at the Museum Depot in Acton Town.
The programme spans July through early September, combining hands-on family activities, expert talks, behind-the-scenes tours and rare access to historic vehicles with later events taking place at the Covent Garden museum.
The Acton Depot — normally closed to the public — will open its doors for three days of electric-themed exploration from 3-5 July. Home to more than 320,000 objects, from vintage Tube stock to original moquette patterns, the Depot is a working museum store and a treasure trove for anyone interested in London’s transport heritage.
This year’s theme, Powering London, focuses on the city’s electric evolution. Visitors can expect:
- Expert talks from curators and industry leaders, including Andy Gwilliam of First Bus, discussing the shift from early electric buses to today’s zero-emission fleets.
- Vehicle displays, featuring historic Tube trains and pioneering electric vehicles such as the 1967 Victoria line stock — one of the world’s first fully automated railway fleets.
- Live demonstrations of restored signalling equipment, offering a rare look at the engineering behind the Underground.
- Depot tours, including access to the poster store, home to iconic graphic art from the 1900s onwards.
- STEM workshops and tech demos, from building circuits with Cubic Transportation Systems to experimenting with tunnel-effect technology.
- Creative family activities, including designing a Night Bus and matching moquette patterns to their lines.
- SEND-friendly hour on Saturday morning for visitors who prefer a quieter environment.
The event forms part of the Museum’s Enjoyment to Employment programme, which aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and green-skills specialists.
For residents of Ealing and Hounslow, discounted entry to the Acton Depot open days offers an added incentive to explore one of west London’s most fascinating hidden spaces. Children aged three and under go free.
Tickets for both the Acton Depot open days and the Covent Garden summer programme are available at ltmuseum.co.uk.
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