'I helped open the Elizabeth line' - Documenting contemporary transport history
My name is Rosamund and I am one of the Documentary Curators at London Transport Museum. My role involves documenting contemporary London and acquiring contemporary material for the Museum’s collection.
On 13 February 2022, I took part in the first of the trial operations for the Elizabeth line. These trial operations were to simulate normal travel on the Elizabeth line and see how the trains and crew handled different situations. Our trial involved getting a new Elizabeth line train from Woolwich to Custom House. Before we got to Custom House, the train was stopped and we did a planned evacuation of the train.
It was really exciting to take part in this trial operation at Woolwich as I was brought up locally and have seen the changes construction of the Elizabeth line has brought to the area. It was lovely to be able to see a brand new station and to experience it alongside so many other Transport for London employees and local people. There was a real buzz around the day as well as excitement in the local area. Seeing the new trains, the purple roundels and the moquette on the seats really brought home how much work had gone into bringing this new line to London.
The station is in Dial Arch Square in the Royal Arsenal, amongst Grade I and II-listed buildings. It was interesting to see how the architecture and design of the station referenced the military history of the Royal Arsenal and Woolwich. For instance, the columns below ground have coloured tiles reflecting the colours of the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers, both originally based at Woolwich.
With my curator’s hat on, I was looking out for objects that I could collect for the Museum to reflect this moment in London’s transport history. Luckily, on the day, all us volunteers were given a tote bag saying I helped open the Elizabeth line on the front.
These memorabilia not only document the Elizabeth line opening but also tell the story of how a few hundred volunteers turned up in Woolwich on a cold Sunday in February to ride the very short distance to Custom House, and become part of Transport for London’s history.