Coming Soon: The Making of MOSI

The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester celebrates 25 years at its current home in Castlefield this year. To commemorate this landmark MOSI will be staging an exhibition entitled The Making of MOSI, which will open on July 28 and close on January 4.

The exhibition will enable visitors to view rarely seen exhibits, including the original doors to the once famous Hacienda nightclub.

Liverpool Road Station, the first railway station in the world, became the home of the Museum of Science and Industry. It was sold for a mere £1, as it was in such a poor state of repair. The Power Hall was the first part of the Museum to open. Subsequently, the Musuem has grown and grown as it has acquired more land.

The station served as a passenger station for approximately fourteen years, before the line was extended to Hunt’s Bank Station, modern day Victoria. Fittingly, the Museum of Science and Industry opened on 15th September 1983, the 153rd anniversary of the opening of the Manchester to Liverpool railway.

Unfortunately, things did not go quite according to plan on the opening day of the world's first inter-city railway. The first scheduled service was delayed when the MP for Liverpool, William Husskisson, was killed by a locomotive. He unwittingly became the first passenger to die on the railways.

Collections manager Pauline Webb told the Manchester Evening News in an article published on July 23 that: "The last 25 years have seen huge changes in Manchester's science and industry, as the city and region moves away from the core products of manufacturing and engineering, and into the service sector and creative industries.

"The Museum of Science and Industry is very much part of this story, as we are ourselves based in the original railway buildings which are part of Manchester's industrial past, and our collections reflect the changes in Manchester's economy."

Independent travellers in Manchester and interested locals can hear about many of the colourful characters, inventions and scientific developments pioneered in the world's first industrial city with the Manchester: Then & Now city walking tour. To hear an audio sample from the Manchester: Then & Now podcast guided tour please click here.

The Walk Talk Tour Manchester travel guide begins outside the Town Hall. Listeners are then guided to the Central Library, before walking onto Manchester Central and the Bridgewater Hall - now the home of Britain's first symphony orchestra. Walk alongside the Rochdale Canal then feel the new beat of the city as you emerge by Deansgate Locks.

Cross Deansgate and then walk along Liverpool Road to the city's Roman Gardens. Hear how Manchester came by its name and more... Then step forward through time with Walk Talk Tours to the Museum of Science and Industry. Continue with your Manchester tour guide to John Rylands Library, then stumble upon the Hidden Gem. Walk on to St Ann's Church and Square, before hearing how the Royal Exchange Theatre was once simply the Royal Exchange - a hub of the world's textile trade.

Hear about the origins of the term to mind your 'p's and q's', as you stand in Exchange Square - home of Manchester's big wheel and the Old Shambles. Learn about colourful characters who've made their mark on the city and the world at Manchester Cathedral, before concluding your tour in Cathedral Gardens.

Make the most of your audio Manchester visitor guide by consulting our Where & When pages, which provide information on the opening times and admission charges of key attractions on the tour's route.

Unlike on a conventional guided tour with a Walk Talk Tour you're in charge. No need to feel conspicuous with a guidebook in your hands or struggle to follow - let alone hear - the tour guide with an umbrella.

Each Walk Talk Tour, iPod travel guide comes complete with a downloadable map, so you won't miss a thing.

The Manchester: Then & Now Walk Talk Tour costs just £5. Walk Talk Tours represent excellent value for people travelling in groups and parties. Four people could do the tour for £9, that's £2.25 a head.