Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)

The Museum of Science and Industry, commonly called the MSI or the MOSI (I have referred to it has MOSI hereafter) focuses mostly on the development of Science and the contribution of this city in such developments. Time and again it has been repeated that Manchester is a city, which has preserved its age-old customs and traditions and yet has embraced development whole-heartedly. The Museum, is situated on Liverpool Road which boasts of being the location of the World’s First Railway Network which opened in 1830. The Museum offers Steam Train Rides during the weekends . 

Opened as the North Western Museum of Science and Industry in 1969, the Museum has undergone expansion, restoration, additions to its displays and other wide scale changes in all these years. In 2007, the Manchester Science Festival was organised by this Institution.In 1983, the Museum included the former Railway station in its boundaries and re-opened with added attractions for its audiences.

I have been to this Museum thrice and I bring to you glimpses of some of the major attractions of this place.

This is the first technical stuff which greets you when you enter the Museum. You have to take a photograph from the photo booths below and wait for 10-20 seconds. Voila! Your photo appears on this rotating frame and stays for a very long time. That is a photo my friend with me BTW, at the bottom of this photo chain. 

These  are some of the displays that  you see, when you enter the Air and Space Hall display of the MOSI. 

Ah the good old Steam engine days! While today, trains run on electric power and other modern technologies, the history of steam engines cannot be forgotten and should not be forgotten either. Wonder why this engine reminds me so much Thomas the Steam Engine! 

A really pretty wall painting that is outside the Train Display section. I love the beauty of the paintings and also that it depicts the day-to-day works which went on in the station during the times of the Steam Engine. 

This has been taken inside the, well what seemed like the drivers compartment to me. There were restrictions in getting inside the place. But I liked the empty chair ‘Standing in spotlight’ , that is why I captured the frame. 

I was trying to get a full view of the place from an elevated platform. But it was very difficult as there were no elevated platforms and everywhere you look there were engines, trains and mechanics. Finally I found one staircase and took this photograph. Although it does not give a sense of the complete display, at least a wide-angle view of the Display section would do no harm for this post.

This aeroplane greets you at the entrance. Encircling this plane are displays of the evolution of Computers and the evolution of the MOSI buildings. 

This  was taken in the fabric display section of the Museum. the main highlight of that section is the cotton mills. The machines and processes of cotton extraction, spinning, weaving and ultimately creating a beautiful cotton garment are all explained with the help of machines, displays and audio-video narratives. 

This is a general view of the machines used in manufacturing cotton garments.

Cotton Spindles 

And finally, a cotton dress. 

This type writer, I have seen fascinates many people into taking a selfie. In fact, I have taken photos of my friend and mum on both my visits here, in this exact spot. It is indeed quite harmless to sit on the chair and pretend to be working on a type writer. 

At the end of your visit, do not forget to have a look at the shop. The proceeds made from this shop goes in the maintenance of the Museum. There is also a cafe, The Warehouse Cafe, where you can enjoy a cup of hot drink while you gaze at the beautiful surroundings of the Museum. 

Just a little tip, if you are interested in having a good look at the Museum, I suggest you keep aside a day just for the Museum and Castlefield. Right beside the Museum is the Mamucium (https://trekkersoftheeast.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/mamucium-the-lost-roman-fortress/ ); some great restaurants and Castlefield which has most of Manchester’s Canal Systems. Thus, if you would come all the way to have a look at the Museum, then you might as well take some time out to cover the adjoining areas.

For further enquiries about the Museum, you must have a look at their website http://msimanchester.org.uk/ . Some important details about the Museum are given below:

Address: Museum of Science and Industry,
                  Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP

Opening Times : 10AM- 5PM (Everyday); Except 24th to 26th December and 1st January.                                       (Entry Free )

Attractions: Air and Space Hall, Textile Hall, Locomotives, Railways, Workshops for children.