Historic railway journeys celebrate TfL’s 25th anniversary and 200 years of train travel
Transport enthusiasts and history lovers, prepare for the journey of a lifetime. This September, London Transport Museum is offering a rare opportunity to travel through time aboard a magnificently restored 1938 art deco-style Tube train, complete with original green and red moquette seating and distinctive period light fittings.
From Friday, September 5th to Sunday, September 7th, passengers can experience London’s golden age of transport as they glide through the leafy suburbs of “Metro-land” on what was once the longest-serving type of Tube train in the capital’s history.
A Rolling Museum Piece
The 1938 Stock represents a pivotal moment in London transport history. These trains were revolutionary for their time, becoming the first Tube trains to house all electrical equipment beneath the floor, seamlessly blending cutting-edge 1930s technology with quintessential late art deco style. After serving Londoners faithfully for half a century across several deep-level Tube lines, this lovingly restored four-car train now offers the only opportunity to travel on heritage rolling stock within the London Underground network.
“Come and be transported to the golden era of travel,” says Matt Brosnan, Head Curator at London Transport Museum. “Our gleaming 1938 art deco train is a rare historic gem that we know the public loves travelling on. This is a rare treat – make sure you don’t miss out!”
Three Days of Nostalgic Journeys
The heritage train experience offers different routes across the weekend, each with its own special appeal:
Friday, September 5th and Sunday, September 7th: Journey from Amersham to Harrow-on-the-Hill and back, traveling through the heart of Metro-land’s leafy suburbs. Sunday’s trips will coincide with the popular annual Amersham Heritage Day, making it a perfect day out for history enthusiasts.
Saturday, September 6th: The crown jewel of the weekend sees the 1938 train traveling from Amersham to Watford via the rarely used North Curve – a special section of track connecting Croxley and Rickmansworth that bypasses Moor Park station. This route is typically used only by early morning services to Watford or late-night departures, making it an exceptionally rare experience for passengers. The destination, Watford Underground station, has its own milestone to celebrate this year, marking 100 years since its opening in 1925.
Discovering Metro-land’s Legacy
As the vintage train winds through northwest London’s suburbs, passengers will witness the living legacy of one of the most ambitious urban development projects in British history. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Metropolitan Railway didn’t just transport people – it created entire communities. The term “Metro-land,” first coined in a 1915 publicity booklet, described the new housing developments built on land owned by the railway company in previously rural areas.
This visionary project transformed the countryside into the leafy suburbs that define this part of London today. Passengers aboard the heritage train will see firsthand how the Underground network didn’t just serve existing communities but actively created new ones, fundamentally shaping the character of modern London.
Celebrating Transport Milestones
These special journeys commemorate two significant anniversaries: Transport for London’s 25th anniversary (TfL25) and an extraordinary 200 years of train travel (Railway 200). Passengers will have the opportunity to meet a character portraying architect Charles Holden, the visionary who transformed London’s transport architecture and whose 150th birthday is also being celebrated this year. Guests can learn about the connections between Holden’s revolutionary station designs and the art deco movement that defined the era.
Booking Your Journey Back in Time
Tickets must be purchased in advance through the London Transport Museum website (ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/heritage-vehicle-outings). Options include return journeys and single trips for those wanting to start or end their adventure at Harrow-on-the-Hill.
Each journey offers more than just transportation – it’s an immersive experience in London’s transport heritage, complete with souvenir leaflets and the chance to appreciate the craftsmanship and design philosophy that made London’s transport system a model for cities worldwide.
For anyone fascinated by London’s history, art deco design, or simply wanting to experience travel as it was meant to be in the golden age of public transport, these September journeys offer an unmissable opportunity to step aboard a living piece of London’s story.
Book early – these heritage train experiences are as rare as the beautifully preserved carriages themselves, and they’re sure to sell out quickly among London’s legion of transport enthusiasts and history lovers.
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