North Woolwich Old Station Museum facts for kids
The North Woolwich Old Station Museum was a special place in North Woolwich, east London. It was a small museum all about trains and railways. The museum was inside the old North Woolwich railway station building. It first opened its doors in 1984 and welcomed visitors until 2008.
Contents
A Look Back: The Station's Journey
The building that became the museum has a long history. It first opened as a train station in 1847. A famous architect named Sir William Tite designed it. During World War II, in 1940, the station was hit by bombs during the London Blitz.
The building served as a ticket office for many years. In 1979, a newer, simpler building took its place. The old station then sat empty for a while.
From Station to Museum
The old station got a new life in 1984. It was turned into a museum! The Queen Mother officially opened it on November 20, 1984. The local council, the London Borough of Newham, helped create the museum. The Passmore Edwards Museum Trust owned the building.
The train line itself changed too. In 1985, it became an electric line, part of the North London Line. However, this line closed on December 9, 2006. This happened because the Docklands Light Railway opened nearby, offering new ways to travel.
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The museum had many interesting things to see. It showed the history of railways in East London. There were also model trains and even a real, but not working, steam locomotive. The building was also a place for local community events. Because of its history, the station building was given a special "Grade II-listed" status in 1998. This means it is an important historic building.
Why the Museum Closed
By 2008, the local council could no longer pay to keep the museum running. So, the museum closed its doors for good in November 2008.
After the closure, all the trains and signs that visitors could see were removed by 2011. Many items were returned to their owners. Other parts of the collection went to different railway museums. These included the East Anglian Railway Museum and the Mangapps Railway Museum. Some items were kept by the Newham Heritage Service.
The old station building has been empty since the museum closed. The House Mill Trust still owns it. In 2020, the building was put up for sale.
Historic Locomotives at the Museum
The North Woolwich Old Station Museum was home to several interesting locomotives during its time. These trains helped tell the story of railway history.
- Steam Locomotive (Neilson): This steam engine was built in 1876. It was a small 0-4-0ST type. Today, it is being worked on at Flour Mill in Lydney, Gloucestershire.
- Steam Locomotive (Peckett): Another steam engine, this one was built in 1942. It is now located at the Barrow Hill Engine Shed in Derbyshire.
- Diesel Locomotive (Planet): This diesel engine was built in 1948. It is a small 4-wheel type. You can now find it at the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills.
See also
- List of railway museums in the United Kingdom
- Heritage railways
- North Woolwich railway station
