The man himself - Isambard Kingdom Brunel. © Institution of Civil Engineers

Transport for London (TfL) has agreed to help preserve the legacy of Britain’s Victorian engineering works by assisting the Brunel Museum with expansion plans.

When the new London Overground rail network is built, the Tube line pumping equipment that currently takes up a brick-lined shaft at Rotherhithe will be taken out so that the vacated space can be leased to the Brunel Museum.

The Rotherhithe museum is sited at the Thames Tunnel where Brunel began his career, and will be able to expand its exhibition space into the shaft when it has full funding.

“This busy International Landmark Site is the birthplace of modern urban transport,” said Robert Hulse, Director of the Brunel Museum.

“Our partnership with Transport for London will give London a new visitor centre celebrating our best engineer and the world’s oldest and best city transport system, including the famous Thames Tunnel.”

The Thames Tunnel's grand opening in 1843. Courtesy Brunel Engine House Museum © Brunel Engine House

The shaft was the first part of Brunel’s Thames Tunnel project, and is still used as part of the East London line. It was begun in 1825 to allow work to begin on the Rotherhithe-Wapping tunnel under the Thames, which was completed in 1843.

Brunel invented the tunnelling shield for the project, to enable the tunnel to be driven through unstable gravel under the river. This shield method forms the basis of tunnelling engineering to this day.

The East London line is being upgraded and extended, to be known as the East London Railway when it opens in 2010 as part of London Overground.

TfL has already carried out a feasibility study for the new exhibition space, and will undertake a detailed design study in preparation for a floor being installed. A 30-year lease has been provisionally granted, and the East London line will close in December 2007.

“It is important that while we are building the London Overground network for the 21st century, we do not forget the foundations laid for it almost 200 years ago,” said Ian Brown, Managing Director of TfL London Rail.