The final tunnel boring machine (TBM) used in the Crossrail project is being dismantled following the completion of tunnelling works.

The machine, TBM Victoria, is being dismantled 40 metres below Farringdon in central London.

Victoria's 130 metre trailer is being removed via the shaft at Stepney Green and returned to manufacturer Herrenknect, with parts recycled for future tunnelling projects.

The cutter head is being cut into small pieces and removed from Farringdon.


The machine, named after Queen Victoria, completed tunnelling when it successfully broke into Farringdon Crossrail station in May 2015.

Over the last three years, eight 1,000 tonne tunnelling machines have bored 26 miles of new 6.2 diameter rail tunnels under London.

The tunnels weave their way between existing underground lines, sewers, utility tunnels and building foundations from station to station at depths of up to 42m.

Roger Mears, Crossrail Eastern Tunnels Project Manager said: "Crossrail's last tunnelling machine, Victoria, has finished her journey and is being dismantled and recycled. Thanks to the quality of these marvellous machines and skill of the teams who operated them, Crossrail's tunnels are now complete, ready for the complex task of fitting out the railway."

(LM)