Design Uncovered

Uncover the stories behind design classics at London Transport Museum’s depot open weekend this autumn. From the development of the first tube map to the secrets behind moquette design, there’s plenty to explore. The weekend includes a free visit to the Siemens Heathrow Express Depot, in North Acton on Saturday 26 September.

Highlights at the Museum Depot include:

See the original printing blocks used for the Johnston font – London Transport’s iconic typeface
Creative drop in workshops will give families the chance to explore the Johnston font
Discover more about our iconic vehicles with expert talks
Find out how moquette – the seat covering on the tube – is made, from design to manufacture, with a talk from Harriet Wallace-Jones, of the award winning Wallace Sewell textile design studio
Explore the Depot through bite size family tours
Enjoy film screenings from the LTM archive

Whistle Stop Tour at Siemens Heathrow Express Depot

Enjoy a double bill of transport fun by taking a trip to the Siemens Heathrow Express Depot for a free family-friendly behind-the-scenes tour on Saturday 26 September only. There will be a free shuttle bus service between the two depot sites, which are just a few miles apart.

Design activities at the Siemens Heathrow Express Depot open day:

Find out about how modern Siemens trains are designed.
Hear about the recent re-design of the Heathrow Express Class 332 interior for a superior passenger experience.
Take part in family fun activities including a ‘design your own train carriage’ competition for a chance to win a return ride in the driver’s cab of a Heathrow Express train.

Other activities at the Heathrow Express Depot open day:

See a train up on jacks ready for maintenance.
Take a walk under a stationary train to see how it’s maintained.
Visit show and tell sessions to get hands-on with real train parts and how they work.
Sit in a driver’s train cab and ask a train driver questions.
Meet Paddington™ at regular intervals.
Join in with the world’s biggest coffee morning and help raise valuable funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, through cake sales, refreshments and special commemorative train pin badges at £2 each.

The Siemens Heathrow Express Depot will be open between 11:00 and 17:00 (last entry 16:00). For entry conditions and directions visit the Siemens website.