Transported back to when trams were streets ahead

By Daily Record

What's on display here? There is almost every conceivable sort of transport used over the past 200 years, from the first bicycles to Glasgow trams, fire engines, motorcycles and old cars. You can see the famous Ford Model T from 1915 or a Rolls-Royce Phantom from the '30s, or a 1975, E-Type Jaguar. Do you have to be interested in cars to enjoy the museum? Even if you're not mechanically minded you'd find plenty to interest you. It's a fascinating display of our history, even showing what people used to wear for travelling or what kind of old prams they strolled their babies in. There are even a couple of traditional gypsy caravans. I liked Kelvin Street, which is a full-scale mock-up of a Glasgow street from the '30s, with a Regal Cinema, a Teacher's public house, a Lipton's shop and an underground station. The museum is being worked on at the moment, so many of the shop window displays are absent, and the Regal Cinema, which used to show footage of old Glasgow, isn't open, but the street is still worth a look. So, you can learn plenty about Glasgow's history? The museum is about Glasgow's history, and Glaswegians with relatives who worked in the shipyards will be interested in The Clyde Room upstairs. It documents the history of shipbuilding in the city, with huge, detailed models of many of the famous ships which were built on the Clyde, and the guides can tell you plenty of stories about the old days. What will interest children? There isn't a child who won't be impressed by the shiny, red fire engines or the gypsy caravans. Older kids will love it, but for toddlers, there are little toy car rides, like the Postman Pat mail van ride, to keep them happy while big brother or sister check out the Harley Davidsons. What was PJ's favourite exhibit? He liked the double-decker Glasgow trams and he wanted to climb inside the old-fashioned buggies in the pram display. But his favourite thing of all was the gypsy caravan with all its bright colours, even though he was a little bit scared of it because it was so different. Is there somewhere to have a snack? The cafe facilities were very good. They're at the top of the museum and bright and airy with wall displays showing how food is served on different forms of transport. For example, they have a china dinner set used on Concorde. We had just a cup of tea, but there were snacks and light meals and also baby bottle and food-warming facilities. At lunchtime a children's lunchbox is pounds 1.95 or a Mega Meal Deal of burger, chips and coke is pounds 2.50, so it won't break the bank. Sitting outside the museum is a '50s van selling old-fashioned ice cream, which does a roaring trade. What were the other facilities like? There are plenty of toilets with baby- changing facilities, and the staff were very friendly, pleasant and helpful. PJ had a good time - and I had a break - upstairs where children can sit with colouring-in games. For older children they also have quiz sheets on Travel Over Hundred Years Ago, and everyone can join in the free guided tours which are organised throughout the day. There's also a shop with lots of toys, cars and books on transport, and the museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users. So, what was mum's verdict? The museum is definitely very good for a family day out - there's plenty to look at and different ages will find different things to interest them. It can make you feel your age when you see cars you remember on the streets, like a Hillman Imp, which are now in the museum. And entry is free, so if you don't drive it only costs the price of a bus fare. Details... Museum of Transport, Bunhouse Road, Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 287 2720 Open: Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 11am - 5pm Admission: Free How to get there: By car, junctions 17 or 19 from the M8. By public transport, train to Partick Station or Kelvin Hall underground. Many buses from the city centre pass the museum.