Friends' projects

The Friends are involved in many projects, both supporting the Museum with funds for ambitious projects and developing our own initiatives.

One of the most significant in recent years has been the contribution of £150,000 towards the magnificent restoration of Metropolitan Railway carriage 353 in time for the Underground 150 celebrations in 2013. The carriage subsequently operated with heritage steam trains at other Underground events. In 2017, it went on extended loan to the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

To coincide with the anniversary of the start of First World War in 2014, the Friends have also supported the restoration of a B-type bus - one of many which were sent to the front. "Battle Bus" has since been twice to the Flanders battlefields and has attended events around the UK.

Some of the projects are much longer-term, like the restoration of District Line 'Q' stock. Others, like the Heritage Electric Train and the signalling projects, provide hours of fun for visitors to the Museum Depot's open weekends.

The Friends are also actively involved in heritage bus operations, taking Museum vehicles to outside events, where they can be seen and enjoyed by a wider public audience.