As Collections Officer at the London Transport Museum, Keith Raeburn helps look after London’s rich and varied transport history.
For as long as Keith can remember transport, trains and buses have framed his life. Growing up in West London without a car, family trips were always taken using public transport, leaving Keith with an enduring fascination for all things transport.
Meeting him at the museum’s storage depot in Acton, we’re ushered into the main collection area, a veritable treasure trove of old trains, signs and even a Routemaster No.1.
Keith’s extensive knowledge of the collections make for an interesting journey through the store, with the fonts designed by Edward Johnston in 1916 one of the highlights.
Talking with Keith we hear about London’s rail history and the extraordinary circumstances which led to up to the King’s Cross fire in 1987, which claimed the lives of 31 people.
Full report King’s Cross Fire.
Keith runs regular tours for Hidden London where you can visit disused tube stops and hear about the history of Transport in London.
Story and photos by Michael Hall