Museum | Epping Museum

The Museum

The downstairs room underneath the main operating room with the lever frame is known as the Relay Room. When the cabin was operational there were approaching 300 relays (electrically operated switches) all chattering away in that room in response to the levers being pulled above.

The room now is the main exhibition area where we display the various artefacts and exhibits. We have retained a representative selection of relays which are still operated by the levers above in response to our computer controlled signalling simulator.

Every London Underground train has a unique 3 digit 'train number'. It's how the signaller used to track a train, and now a computer has taken over doing the same thing. The device, bottom left, doesn't play tunes but is an early automated signaller, throwing points and changing signals in sequence. We also have various colour light signals as well as station roundals.

Photos above, reading clockwise: some of the many relays; three digit train numbers; a program sequence machine; 4 aspect colour light signal; South Woodford station roundal

We think this master clock may have controlled the station clocks at Epping as well as the signal cabin.

The main Museum is a treasure trove of London Underground artefacts. So visitors can see how train drivers (official name 'Motormen') used to drive we have the control desk from a 1972 tube cab, complete with the 'deadman's handle'.

Another artefact we have is an original sign from a station that closed in 1920 and much later on, reopened in a different location - Wood Lane (formerly on the Central Line but now on the Circle / Hammersmith & City line).

There are illuminated signals and tunnel telephones which wouldn't look out of place in an episode of 'Downton Abbey'. Add in maps, diagrams, station signs, clocks (different ones), train program machines, and a virtually complete air-worked signal frame etc etc and there's something of interest for all ages.