James Hall Museum of Transport
The James Hall Museum of Transport was founded in 1964 and houses an historical collection of various modes of land transport used in South Africa, dating back 400 years.
Situated in Rosettenville opposite the Rand Stadium in the south of Johannesburg, the museum’s impressive collection includes just about any form of land transportation known to man, including animal-drawn carriages, early bicycle versions, steam cars, trams, trolley buses and trains. Each transportation mode on display represents South Africa’s transport history – from farm carts and bicycles to more modern versions of the cars we use today.
Permanent exhibit at the James Hall Museum of Transport in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Photo courtesy AEC RT
The museum’s six main exhibition areas display vintage modes of transport ranging from animal-drawn carts, ox-wagons, carriages and bicycles to more modern motorcycles, steam engine cars, trams, trolley buses, steam locomotives and the Zeederberg Mail Coach.
Visitors to the museum will learn a lot about South Africa’s transport history, since the exhibits are divided according to power output: animal power, steam power and pedal power.
The courtyard outside the museum features a magnificent collection of steam cars, which is definitely worth a wander through. Plus there’s a wonderful exhibit of the earliest surviving bicycles, including the penny farthing. However, the largest display is the collection of vintage pre-war and post-war vehicles, as well as sports cars and classics from Edwardian times.
The Voortrekker wagon, which was used during the Afrikaner Great Trek to Johannesburg from the Cape Colony, is the most popular with visitors. Among other favourites are the horse-drawn mail carriage, Cape carts and the rickshaw. Also of interest are the electric trams, which were used in Johannesburg until 1961, as well as horse-drawn trams that were initially used before the introduction of the electric version. The James Hall Museum of Transport is a must for car lovers and those who just want to view vintage vehicles and learn more about the amazing journey of South Africa’s transport industry.
Admission
Free but you can make a donation
Visiting hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 09h00 to 17h00
Directions
Across the road from the Turffontein Race Course