A look at engineering advancements through our collection
As a retired engineer, I am very keen to encourage youngsters to join the industry. ‘What is engineering?’ is a question often asked. The general assumption is that it is a male-dominated profession that involves ‘working with engines’ or similar – heavy work. Not so. Engineering covers a whole wealth of issues including environmental, chemical, electrical, civil and mechanical. Think about who designed your mobile phone, the toaster, your shower in the bathroom, even your make up (if you wear any) and sweets.
There is a wealth of opportunity for anyone wishing to enter the world of engineering. Academic qualifications are important but not more so than a practical mindset, aptitude and attitude. Transport incorporates all of them: designing and building the rail/ road infrastructure and vehicles, addressing the motive power to improve performance and reduce harmful emissions, improving safety and comfort and, by improving the signalling systems, increasing capacity of the network to accommodate an increasing population.
The objects below, from London Transport Museum’s collection, illustrate some of the advances made over the years in signalling and vehicle engineering.
Original signal frame
Big, heavy levers requiring considerable strength to move and to pull/ push the metal linkages to the signals and points.
Westinghouse power frame
Smaller levers controlling electronic circuitry that remotely operates the signals and points. Mechanical interlocking gear prevented the operation of conflicting signals.
Computer operation
One stage further. Computer operated circuitry operating signals and points with minimal human input.
B type bus
Steel, wood and glass body constructed on separate steel chassis. No power steering, driver and upper deck open to the elements, solid tyres and petrol engine.
RM (Routemaster) bus
Aluminium and glass integral body, lighter than previous mounted on two sub-frames for the wheels and diesel engine. Driver and upper deck enclosed, power steering and pneumatic tyres. Less strain on driver, more comfortable and safer for passengers.
New Routemaster
As Routemaster, but with updated styling and hybrid (diesel/ electric) drivetrain, fully automatic gearbox. Less strain on the driver, more comfortable and safer for passengers and less harmful to the environment.
Browse our collection online to discover more feats of engineering through the ages, and visit the Museum’s Future Engineers gallery to find out what kind of engineer you could be: dreamer, planner or fixer?