Restorations

1881 Oxford Horse Tram

It's taken five years of painstaking restoration to bring this magnificent 1881 Horse Tram back to its original glory - and here it is, complete with 'Oberon' the horse.

From 1880 through to 1914 these horse trams provided Oxford city with its first regular public transport network. Then in 1914 all the horse trams were withdrawn to be replaced by "modern" petrol engined motorbuses.

Now you can see what the city's first public transport vehicles looked like and appreciate what tram travel was like - in an age before the petrol and diesel engine existed.

Oxford horse drawn Tram Film

Viewing gallery

At the museum we have a wide variety of restoration projects always on the go in our workshop. We also have a viewing gallery, accessed by stairs, whereby visitors can observe the restorations in progress.

Artefact Donations

In our museum and our archives we have enough vehicles, literature and artefacts to tell the story of Oxfordshire’s transport by road. However, if you have something you would like to donate and which might add to that story, it could be of interest to us. But please make an appointment to meet with our archivist before bringing it to the museum. The volunteers who staff our shop are not able to assess what may or may not be incorporated in the collection, and would not be able to receive it from you. Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.