This summer, explore our region’s transport heritage with a visit to South Yorkshire Transport Museum in Rotherham.
Running since 1995, the volunteer-owned museum has amassed over 15,000 transport-related artefacts, including 50 major vehicle exhibits on display at their Aldwarke unit.
While they may be known for their collection of heritage buses, the museum also has historical cars, coaches, bikes lorries, milk floats and even a traditional gypsy caravan.
One of their newest exhibits is Hector, a class 76 electric locomotive used to work the Woodhead railway line between Sheffield and Manchester.
The electric powered loco has strong connections with South Yorkshire. Its unusual design, created to cope with the steep gradients on the Woodhead Line, was first developed in Doncaster in 1941.
There were 58 class 76 vehicles built in the early 1950s but Hector is just one of two that exist today. The 6.5-tonne cab, which was preserved by the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, now sits in its own purpose-built replica of the Woodhead-Dunford Bridge tunnel.
The motor-enthusiast volunteers and private owners have restored many of their fleet over the years, from Plaxton Panorama coaches to a Thornycroft Amazon crane used by the RAF in World War II. A recent restoration project that is nearing completion is that of a former Sheffield Corporation bus.
South Yorkshire Transport Museum opens its doors to the public once a month, on the second Sunday. These open events give visitors an insight into this unique South Yorkshire gem and the tireless work of the charity’s volunteers to preserve the past to ensure it can be enjoyed by the generations of tomorrow.
This year, it’s 50 years since South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive was launched. Before 1974, most public transport in South Yorkshire was provided by the respective local authorities, with Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield all operating their own transport fleet. The museum is hosting a special 50th anniversary event in July to celebrate and showcase the achievements of the organisation during its lifetime.
Also coming up is a modellers’ weekend for Meccano LEGO, Corgi and Dinky fans, a bicycle day chronicling its history from the Penny Farthing to the present day, and a Steampunk event with artists, authors and stall holders.
If you’re planning to visit, why not jump on-board the shuttle bus to and from the museum. Catch the bus at Rotherham Interchange, platform C1, at quarter-to the hour between 10.45am and 3.45pm. The return journey leaves the museum at half past each hour.
There is also shop and coffee shop on-site.
Upcoming open events
Modellers’ Weekend – 11th & 12th May
Bicycles Day and 65th birthday of bus 904– 9th June
SYPTE 50th Anniversary event – 14th July
Steampunk Day – 11th August
All open 10.30am-4pm.
Entry price is £7 for adults, £5 for seniors and concessions, and free for under 16s.
Waddington Way, Aldwarke, Rotherham S65 3SH
More details can be found on their website.
