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Big 'Thank Yous' from Summerswood Primary School

After three very successful visits from Years 1, 2 and 6 of Summerswood in early June, we received many hand drawn and written 'Thank Yous' from the pupils. It's great to know they enjoyed their sessions with the old toys we showed them, and the model of The Line That Never Was that stretches down the Museum. Here's just a very small selection of their letters.

New Drawings Illuminate The Line That Never Was

Before going up to the Museum on the second floor, make sure you check out the entrance wall in 96 Shenley Road. We have installed a display of 6 panels featuring the original engineers' drawings of the Elstree Extension or The Line That Never Was. 

The Elstree Tunnel entrance and the work completed            Typical Engineers' notes

These were created by the engineers to show the condition of the line that had been completed by August 31st 1939 when the work was stopped. So they knew exactly what they had achieved when work was to restart after WW2. At the top of the drawings` of the Extension are lists of the work outstanding on that section, and below,  the work completed.  The details are exceptional, listing materials on site, fences completed, percentages of brickwork built, etc.

In addition we have placed the drawings of Brockley Hill station and its many arches just outside the Museum entrance. A fascinating look at the design of the station.

These drawings are unique, and add so much to our knowledge of the construction of the Extension. Make sure you see them.

Swipe Right For History

Just installed in the Museum is our new touch-screen display featuring many photos of Borehamwood and Elstree.  Swipe through and see if you can find yourself in the group shots of schools and businesses from the last 60-odd years of life in the area. See the local landmarks that have disppeared or are just hanging on, and events you will remember.  And don't forget our current Exhibition Off The Rails - The Line That Never Was while you're in the Musuem.  Looking foward to seeing you.

Here's a couple of examples :

New Video For Off The Rails

Museum Manager Dave Armitage gives you a guided tour and explanation of our new exciting Exhibition Off The Rails.
Just so you know what to expect and wet your appetite. Check it out HERE

Councillors Take A Look At The Line That Never Was

Cllr Farida Turner, Cllr John Graham, Dave Armitage - Museum Manager

We had a visit and a few drinks with an after hours viewing of our Off The Rails Exhibition this week. Hertsmere Deputy Mayor Cllr John Graham, Cllr Farida Turner and Cllr Meenal Sachdev had a good look round and admired our fantastic model and displays. With over 800 visitors in the few weeks since we re-opened in January, we can safely say this Exhibition is a hit! We can't wait to show you round.

Model builder Tony de Swarte shows Cllr John Graham
the model                                                                                                                      Cllr Meenal Sachdev sees a Routemaster

Off The Rails - Fridge Magnets

Just arrived! Some super Fridge Magnets featuring the roundels for Tube Stations that were never built on the Elstree Extension - Brockley Hill, Elstree South and Bushey Heath.

Not forgetting the two Stations that might have existed had the alternative line been built - Moat Mount and Borehamwood East.

Full details in our current Exhibition - 'Off The Rails - The Line That Never Was'. Come and find out more. The Magnets are £2 each in the Museum and £3.50 from this website including postage.

Off The Rails - Special Visitor

L to R : Tony Beard, who wrote the book,
Tony de Swarte, who made the model,
Dave Armitage, who runs the Museum and organised the Exhibition

Last Saturday we welcomed a special visitor to our new Exhibition. No less than Tony Beard who wrote the book from which we gained much inspiration, if not most of the information. It was good to meet him at last and get his 'approval' for all our hard work. He sent us a newly discovered aerial photo just as we were finalising the panels, and we added it to great effect.

Can you spot the entrance to the Elstree Tunnel in the photo above?

Tony has written many books on transport, and his latest is Steering London Through: London's Road Services in the Second World War
the story of the London Bus during the War. Unfortunately By Tube Beyond Edgware is no longer available, so you'll just have to visit our
Exhibition to learn the full story.

Tony explains the location of the tunnel to yours truly

Off The Rails : Crowds and Reviews

Off The Rails - The Line That Never Was

Crowds and Reviews

We've only been open a couple of weeks but we are crowded out every day - even though it doesn't take many to crowd us out we are having very busy days every day. We all love a model train, and we all love a slice of local history that is often a rumour, but now can be seen for real.

Check out the rave review from The Londonist here.  Complete with photos and train whistles, well maybe not the latter. And another fine review from IanVisits here. 

Don't delay, check us out soon.

Off The Rails : Open Today

Our new Exhibition exploring the Elstree Extension through the Northern Heights that was suspended during World War 2, and never restarted, opens today.
Our photos can only give a glimpse of the Exhibition.
Come and see the scale model of the Tube line and how it would have looked if it had been completed.
And the trains are running!

OffTheRails- Work-In-Progress Part Three

Only three days left to complete the Exhibition. Will it be finished in time?
The Panels are up and the Model is coming along :