A 150th anniversary: Engineering the London Underground
Transport for London
Sectors
Infrastructure, Travel & Culture
Bringing history to life
London’s Underground is more than a transport system—it’s a feat of engineering. For its 150th anniversary, Wind & Foster partnered with TfL and the London Transport Museum to create Engineering the London Underground, a documentary uncovering the ingenuity behind one of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Animating the past
We transformed 48 archival images from TfL and the Institution of Civil Engineers into animated cinegraphs. These sequences recreated the struggles and triumphs of those who built London’s transport network.
War, resilience, and innovation
The Tube’s history is a story of resilience. From air-raid shelters in WWII to modern-day expansions, we wove together historical footage, expert interviews, and newly animated visuals. Narrated by Eddie Butler, the film gave audiences a fresh perspective on the hidden engineering that keeps London moving.
Mission impossible
It was, on the face of it, an ambitious idea. Running trains and steam trains in tunnels underneath London. In 1862, the Times described it as an ‘insult to common sense’.
A museum-worthy film
Featuring rare footage from the British Film Institute, Crossrail, and the National Science and Media Museum, the documentary became a centrepiece of the London Transport Museum’s anniversary exhibition. It was designed not just to inform but to inspire a new generation of engineers and transport enthusiasts.
A legacy for the future
The final film isn’t just a historical record—it’s a resource for education, engagement, and storytelling. Used by TfL, the London Transport Museum, and civil engineering institutions, our work continues to celebrate the brilliance of those who built—and continue to build—London’s transport future.
About Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) is the transport authority managing London’s tubes, buses, trains, and roads. It plays a vital role in keeping the city of London moving.
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