Old Tickets

On Tuesday 7th May, we went to the London Transport Museum (LMT). We visited the museum yesterday but we're only the second school ever allowed into the library where there were many rare books about the history of London Transport. While they were talking to us and showing us a film about buses we took notes. After we  were allowed to browse the library looking for useful books.

At the end of the session a man called Laurie (who is an old bus driver) gave us some very old bus tickets which were actually used in World War 2. We loved the trip and are looking forward to tomorrow's interviews.

By Walid and Ali

 

Routemaster

The Routemaster was first found in the year 1956 and ever since it has had phenomenal service.The Routemaster is a double-decker bus designed by London Transport and built by the AEC Company and Park Royal Vehicles.

Most Routemasters were built for London Transport, although some buses were built for British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company. A total of 2,876 Routemasters were built, of which 1,280 are still on this earth.

The RM has 1 passenger door and has 57-72 seats.It is 27 ft long 14 ft tall and painted bright red the Routemaster also runs on oil and has a roof on the top.

By Emad Taroute

World War I Battle Buses

World War I Battle Buses.

In 1910 the newest bus was the B-Type which could hold 34 passengers and only moved at 12mph. When WWI started the army didn't have a way to move soldiers around so they took London buses to Europe; they also took the drivers with them. Nearly 1,200 B-Types were taken.

The buses were repainted for camouflage and each bus window was bolted up for protection. Also, the buses had weapons inside. Some buses even had pigeon coups attached to the roof to house homing pigeons which were used for sending messages. The buses often broke down and some bus drivers were killed. After the war, the buses which were not destroyed were used to bring the troops home.

By Walid and Abdulrahim

The Diary Of Mary Morgan

Dear Diary,

Yesterday I was contacted by the artist Eric Kensigton which made me surprised. He told me to come to the studio so he could paint my picture. He said that I saved little children from a bomb blast and protected them with my body. I was shaking with fear and my knees were wobbling. As I put makeup on, I looked in the mirror and gulped.

When I went into the studio, I was nervous that I had applied too much makeup. Slowly I walked in and I saw Albert Coe and Eric Kensigton waiting for me at the back of the studio. As they were looking at me, Eric Kensigton told me to come over so he could paint my picture - but told me that first I needed to wash off all my make up! I'd put too much on!

I rushed to the toilet and washed my face.

I returned back and was painted. It am nervous to see how it turns out!

Mary



by Tabassum and Samira

A Postcard From George Shillibeer To Mum

Dear Mum,

I am now in France, Paris and I'm lost for words. I have just seen one of the most spectacular things l have ever seen. I saw a huge cart being pulled by 2 horses and it was transporting a crowd. This was no ordinary kind of cart - the French people call it an "omnibus". It goes on the same consistent route back and forth all day and people pay to get on and travel where they need to go. I was mesmerised by this creation and I really think that this idea could spread across the world. 

I am thinking about bringing this idea to life at London. This could change the citizens lives forever and might make me some money too!

I am thinking about taking this idea to the next level by making it bigger to carry more people and add another horse to make it easier to transport to certain destinations.

See you soon,

George

By Aman & Ahmad

Our Journey To The London Transport Museum Depot

On the 27th May 2016, we were invited to go on a spectacular trip to the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton (LTMD).  An old Route Master was waiting for us outside the school gates. It was a massive surprise for all of us. Unfortunately, when we were boarding the old bus, we noticed that another school was sitting on the top deck. We were so disappointed but didn’t let it show on our faces.

When we were going to the depot, we were all really excited because we had never been there before. It took a long time to get there because we went on the A40. It was quite unusual because a bus never goes on a motorway!

Sav and Matthew, the people working with us on the project, introduced us to 2 time travelling people from the past. There was a conductor, Cecil, and a clippy, Violet, who explained how the bus worked. They were really funny and were telling each other to get off the bus.

When we arrived, we got out and turned around to stare at the enormous building. Before our eyes was the LTMD. Inside the massive Depot, there were ancient artifacts and olden vehicles. We were lucky enough to get inside some of them. The museum curator and the staff were very kind and we thanked them for giving their time to us. Our knowledge of buses has increased hugely because of them.

As we left the building, the other school agreed to let us sit at the top - We really appreciated that. When we were close to the entrance, all of us dashed toward the front seat to get the best view but we noticed that the 2 time travelling people were occupying the seats. They were trying the deny that it was them but we knew that they were lying. Some of us sang songs on the way home to pass the time.  When we reached the school it was a great ending to the day. All credit to our wonderful teachers and all the staff at London Transport Museum Depot.

By Aman & Ahmad

Wednesday in school

After 2 days of trips, we are finally back at school where we are starting our project. When we got in this morning, the film group continued training how to use the cameras and our writing group was with Sav and Mr Goodsir learning how the blog works.

After break, all the project people gathered together with Matthew, Sav and Mr Goodsir (my teacher). We were split into our drama groups from Monday and thought of lots of questions we could ask the people we were going to interview on Thursday. While we were thinking of questions, Sav and Matthew came around to every group to see how they were going on with the questions.

Next, we shared our questions with everyone and typed them onto the whiteboard ready for tomorrow. Then it was lunch.

This afternoon, the writing group are starting typing up their blog on iPads and the filming group are still training for tomorrow. We're looking forward to the interviews!

From Tabassum and Samira.