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Travel and Transport, By The National Archives UK

Transport has fundamentally altered the world in which we live and these images cover everything from horsepower to airpower.Created by: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search EngineDated: 1900
This exhibition of photographs from The National Archives was produced in 2000 as part of a larger exhibition put together by partners in the Safeguarding European Photographic Images for Access (SEPIA) project. Institutions from across Europe provided images from their own holdings showing transport of all kinds across the Continent.

The collection shows the technical development; the marvels of design and construction that improvements in transport spawned. Transport has fundamentally altered the world in which we live and these images cover everything from horsepower to airpower.
48 Media in collectionpage 1 of 1
Sleeping Beauty - A black and white photo of a boat in the water

Sleeping Beauty - A black and white photo of a boat in the water

Description: Underwater photograph of experimental motor submersible canoe 'Sleeping Beauty'...Date: c.1945..Our Catalogue Reference: DEFE 2/1144A ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycatalogue... More

To me, to you - A black and white photo of people loading a truck

To me, to you - A black and white photo of people loading a truck

Description: Pickfords removers load furniture onto a waiting aeroplane...Date: 1948-50..Our Catalogue Reference: RAIL 1133/146 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6... More

Last train to Penzance - A black and white photo of a train on the tracks

Last train to Penzance - A black and white photo of a train on the tra...

Description: "Photograph of train on Great Western Railway leaving Paddington Station, May 20th 1892 at 10.15 am, being the last Broad Gauge Penzance Train"..Date: May 20th 1892..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1... More

"At Humanity's Call" - A group of people standing on a beach next to a boat

"At Humanity's Call" - A group of people standing on a beach next to a...

Description: 'Photograph of the Wreck of the Steam Ship 'Escurial' at Portreath Cornwall. Title given to the picture 'At Humanity's Call'. Photograph taken by John Charles Burrow (1852-1914) of Camborne, Cornwa... More

Rolls in a Basket - An old photo of a man in a hot air balloon

Rolls in a Basket - An old photo of a man in a hot air balloon

Description: "Photograph of the late C.S. Rolls and Hon. Mrs. Assheton Harbord in basket of balloon", by Horace Hall...Charles Stewart Rolls became interested in flying after he had already founded Rolls-Royce ... More

Mr. Tilling's Hansom - A horse pulling a carriage in front of a building

Mr. Tilling's Hansom - A horse pulling a carriage in front of a buildi...

Description: "Photograph of hansom cab bearing the name 'T. Tilling' and standing outside Greenwich Railway station." Photograph by RL Sirus...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/369/249 ( http://www.na... More

Shamrock - An old photo of a sailboat in the water

Shamrock - An old photo of a sailboat in the water

Description: Shamrock I sailing off the Scottish coast...Date: 1901..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/452 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=250966&SearchIni... More

To the Rescue - A black and white photo of a man falling off a helicopter

To the Rescue - A black and white photo of a man falling off a helicop...

Description: "A Whirlwind Mk10 helicopter of RAF Coastal Command demonstrates the double lift rescue technique". RAF photograph used to illustrate 1964 Defence White Paper...Date: 1963..Our Catalogue Reference:... More

Leader of the pack? - A group of people standing in front of a building

Leader of the pack? - A group of people standing in front of a buildin...

Description: "Photograph of motor cyclists on Twyn Square, Usk", taken by Henry Dunning...Date: 1910..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/550 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.a... More

Skating - An old photo of a man playing frisbee in the snow

Skating - An old photo of a man playing frisbee in the snow

Description: William Evelyn Wylie [?] (Irish High Court Judge) skating in Switzerland...Date: 1930..Our Catalogue Reference: PRO 30/89/23 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.a... More

Sweetie Machine - A black and white photo of a pay phone

Sweetie Machine - A black and white photo of a pay phone

Description: Station concourse automated dispenser..Date: c.1950..Our Catalogue Reference: AN 15/2 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=460725&SearchInit=4&Se... More

This train is now ready to depart

This train is now ready to depart

Description: "Photograph of railway guard giving the signal to the engine driver." Photograph by RL Sirus...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/369/256 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/dis... More

Cross Channel Pioneer - Bleriot airplane

Cross Channel Pioneer - Bleriot airplane

Description: "'Photograph of Mons Pierre Prier in the cross channel Bleriot monoplane" taken by John Edward Fletcher...Prier was the first person to fly non stop from Paris to London, completing the feat in a l... More

Aerial photographs - Heathrow Star

Aerial photographs - Heathrow Star

Description: Aerial photograph of Heathrow Airport..Date: 1955..Our Catalogue Reference: BT 219/115 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=350820&SearchInit=4&S... More

Lady cyclists riding down hill

Lady cyclists riding down hill

Description: "Group, lady cyclists riding down hill (Sittingbourne)" Photograph taken by Frederick Miller Rammell...Date: 1898..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/435/62 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalo... More

A Streetcar Named 13, Sheffield, United Kingdom

A Streetcar Named 13, Sheffield, United Kingdom

Description: Electric streetcars move along Moorshead (now 'The Moor'), Sheffield..Date: 1900..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/448 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATL... More

Early automobiles - Express Delivery

Early automobiles - Express Delivery

Description: Early express parcel delivery van..Date: c.1905..Our Catalogue Reference: RAIL 254/32 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=5326641&SearchInit=4&S... More

Ready to go Multistorey?

Ready to go Multistorey?

Description: Building research photograph from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research showing a multistorey car parking experiment...Date: c.1958..Our Catalogue Reference: DSIR 4/3533 ( http://www... More

R101 and cows - An old photo of a large blimp flying over a field

R101 and cows - An old photo of a large blimp flying over a field

Description: British R101 airship at mooring tower. The vessel was 237 metres long...Date: c.1929..Our Catalogue Reference: AIR 5/919 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?C... More

Tilbury Steamer - Public domain image of a steam ship or boat

Tilbury Steamer - Public domain image of a steam ship or boat

Description: Tilbury Steamer on the River Thames...Date: 1883..Our Catalogue Reference: RAIL 437/37 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=3726944&SearchInit=4&... More

Menai Suspension Bridge

Menai Suspension Bridge

Description: "Photograph of Menai Suspension Bridge with SS Snowdon" taken by Arthur Priestley...Date: 1911..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/556/195 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycatalog... More

The Future of Travel -  Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei Company

The Future of Travel - Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei Company

Description: Photograph of Frankfurt airport collected by the Joint Intelligence Bureau Library...Date: Before 1937..Our Catalogue Reference: WO 252/257 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycat... More

Hovercraft - A black and white photo of a boat in the water

Hovercraft - A black and white photo of a boat in the water

Description: Experimental Hovercraft SRN-1 during trials by the Royal Navy...Date: c.1963..Our Catalogue Reference: ADM 1/28993 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6... More

Crossing Sweeper - Victorian era public domain image

Crossing Sweeper - Victorian era public domain image

Description: "Photograph of a Crossing Sweeping, holding broom in right hand." Photograph by RL Sirus...Sweepers cleared roadways for pedestrians in the hope of tips...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY... More

Tower Bridge (nearly) - Victorian era public domain image

Tower Bridge (nearly) - Victorian era public domain image

Description: "A photograph of unfinished bridge (New Tower Bridge over the Thames)" taken by Sidney Alfred Beer...Date: 1892..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/408/164 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog... More

Westward Ho - Public domain image of a steam boat

Westward Ho - Public domain image of a steam boat

Description: Photograph of Steamboat 'Westward Ho' bound from Bristol to Ilfracombe by John Rowland King...Date: 1900..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/448 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displayc... More

Paying the last turnpike toll

Paying the last turnpike toll

Description: "W. Ambrose Esq. paying last toll Burwell Nest Toll Bar, Cambs." Photo by Frederick Gillson's "Sunnyside Studios" in Burwell...In decline from the 1870s this photograph purports to show the last p... More

Zeppelin over the Thames -  Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei Company

Zeppelin over the Thames - Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei Company

Description: View across Lambeth to the Palace of Westminster with German Graf Zeppelin overhead...Date: 1930..Our Catalogue Reference: AIR 11/237 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycatalogue... More

Aerial Photography before Google

Aerial Photography before Google

Description: Aerial photograph of Aberdeen from the records of Naval Intelligence (UK Beach Intelligence) on a survey of Girdle Ness to Rattray Head...Date: 7th May 1956..Our Catalogue Reference: ADM 326/1279 (... More

Firefighters - A group of men standing next to a horse drawn fire engine

Firefighters - A group of men standing next to a horse drawn fire engi...

Description: "Photograph of Fire Engine manned by seven fireman with a pair of horses." Photograph by RL Sirus...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/369/253 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogu... More

Early automobile - The Original Rolls

Early automobile - The Original Rolls

Description: "Photograph of the Hon. C.S. Rolls' autocar with HRH The Duke of York, Lord Llangattock [Rolls' father], Sir Charles Cust and the Hon. C.S. Rolls as occupants", taken by John Howard Preston...Charl... More

Airship Infrastructure - An old photo of a man flying a plane

Airship Infrastructure - An old photo of a man flying a plane

Description: Britain's R 101 airship under construction at the Royal Airship Works, Cardington...Date: c.1928..Our Catalogue Reference: AIR 11/233 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycatalogue... More

Building Bridges - A black and white photo of a construction site

Building Bridges - A black and white photo of a construction site

Description: Reconstruction of bridge over River Loughor at Pontardulais in Wales...Date: c.1935..Our Catalogue Reference: BT 219/115 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?C... More

Ocean liners: Thirsty Lady

Ocean liners: Thirsty Lady

Description: Pickfords tankers fuelling RMS Queen Mary..Date: c.1940?..Our Catalogue Reference: RAIL 1133/146 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=2422961&Sea... More

London Omnibus - Victorian era public domain image

London Omnibus - Victorian era public domain image

Description: "Photograph of omnibus marked C.H. waiting for passengers with conductor on steps." Photograph by RL Sirus...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/369/232 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk... More

Met with St. John Ambulance - Victorian era public domain image

Met with St. John Ambulance - Victorian era public domain image

Description: "Photograph of two policemen standing alonside an ambulance in which a man is lying, strapped down with handkerchief and hood over his head." Photograph by RL Sirus...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Refe... More

Zeppelin over St. Paul's -  Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei Company

Zeppelin over St. Paul's - Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei Company

Description: German Graf Zeppelin flies over St. Paul's Cathedral while on a press visit to London...Date: 1930..Our Catalogue Reference: AIR 11/237 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycatalog... More

The last grain race - A black and white photo of a tall ship

The last grain race - A black and white photo of a tall ship

Description: In the early 20th century sailing ships would compete to be the first to bring a grain cargo from Australia to the UK. Built in 1911 S.V. Passat was the winner of the final race in 1949/50, reachin... More

Number 16 Bus - A group of people standing on the side of a street

Number 16 Bus - A group of people standing on the side of a street

Description: London bus queue. Photograph taken for the Ministry of Housing...Date: c.1963..Our Catalogue Reference: HLG 131/100 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=... More

Going Underground - A black and white photo of people on an escalator

Going Underground - A black and white photo of people on an escalator

Description: Commuters on the Underground. Photograph taken for the Ministry of Housing...Date: c.1963..Our Catalogue Reference: HLG 131/100 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetail... More

The Milkman - A man standing next to a horse drawn carriage

The Milkman - A man standing next to a horse drawn carriage

Description: "Photograph of a milk cart with 'Devonshire Dairy' [10 Royal Hill, Greenwich] painted on the side, and man handing can of milk to a boy." Photograph by RL Sirus...Date: 1884..Our Catalogue Referenc... More

University Boat Race 1886

University Boat Race 1886

Description: ""Photograph of Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race 1886, scene from 'the Doves'." [presumably The Dove, Hammersmith]. Taken by George Herbert Watkins (b.1828)..Cambridge won the race...Date: 3rd April 18... More

Cullercoats railway station, North Tyneside - Underwater Rail

Cullercoats railway station, North Tyneside - Underwater Rail

Description: Cullercoats railway station, North Tyneside "flooded after a heavy rain storm". Photograph by Burton Graham...Date: 1900..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/448 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ca... More

Freight is Great - An old black and white photo of a truck loaded with bags

Freight is Great - An old black and white photo of a truck loaded with...

Description: Heavily loaded Great Western Railway motor wagon..Date: c.1905..Our Catalogue Reference: RAIL 254/32 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=5326641... More

Charging a drift of snow, Caithness, Scotland

Charging a drift of snow, Caithness, Scotland

Description: "Photograph of effect of three engines & snow plough charging a five feet drift of snow at Altnabreac, Caithness." Photograph by James Johnston...Date: 1895..Our Catalogue Reference: COPY 1/419/912... More

Sightseeing, Cologne Germany

Sightseeing, Cologne Germany

Description: Open top tourist bus..Date: 1920..Our Catalogue Reference: PRO 30/89/40 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=4604468&SearchInit=4&SearchType=6&CA... More

Stolen Volkswagen Beetle - Automobiles of 1940s

Stolen Volkswagen Beetle - Automobiles of 1940s

Description: Car stolen by Ludwig Bayer. Photograph used in evidence at his subsequent trial...Date: c.1950..Our Catalogue Reference: FO 1060/1405 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycatalogue... More

Platform - A black and white photo of a boat in the water

Platform - A black and white photo of a boat in the water

Description: Section of North Sea oil rig being towed to out to sea...Date: 1966..Our Catalogue Reference: POWE 46/4 ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/searchresults.asp?fldLettercodeRef=POWE&fldCla... More