Grampian Transport Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1970 |
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| Location | Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Type | Transport Museum |
The Grampian Transport Museum is an exciting place in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It's a special museum that shows off amazing vehicles. You can explore the history of transport in the north east of Scotland. Get ready for cool displays, vehicles you can climb into, and fun videos!
Contents
How the Museum Started
The idea for this museum began in the early 1970s. A group of local people who loved old vehicles wanted to create a place to show them off. In 1978, they held a meeting and decided to form the Grampian Transport Museum Association.
They found a great spot: an old goods yard near the Alford railway station. In 1981, they opened a small test museum in a local factory. They also started a fun event called the Alford Cavalcade. This is a rally for vintage vehicles held every July.
Local councils helped by offering money to build a permanent museum. The main building was finished in 1982 and opened its doors in April 1983. Over the years, the museum has grown. An extension was added in 1998. In the early 2000s, they added outdoor landscaping and a track for vehicles.
Later, a second building called the Collections Centre was built. This space holds even bigger exhibits. In 2016, the museum added a new reception area. This makes the entrance look better and gives visitors a warm welcome. In 2020, the museum received a special gift: one of Aberdeen's hydrogen buses. They plan to create a new outdoor display for it.
Amazing Vehicles and Displays
The Grampian Transport Museum is packed with incredible exhibits. You can see all sorts of vehicles and learn how they work.
Famous Vehicles to Discover
One very special item is the world's oldest Sentinel Steam Waggon from 1914. Imagine a truck powered by steam! There's also a giant Mack Snowplow. This huge machine is used to clear snow from roads.
You can also see a working model of Robert Davidson's motor. This motor was an early design for electric trains.
What Else Can You See?
The museum has a wide range of vehicles. You'll find historic and classic cars. There are also cool motorcycles and even a double-decker bus. If you like bicycles, you'll see many different types.
Don't forget the steam vehicles and an electric tram. For those who love small things, there are toy model vehicles. You can also explore lots of transport memorabilia. This includes old signs, tickets, and other items related to travel.
See Also
- Alford Valley Railway - a railway located right next to the museum.
