Crossrail's tunnelling breakthrough's in pictures

Tunnelling machine Victoria successfully broke into Farringdon Crossrail station on 23 May at 5.30am. Victoria then constructed the remaining section of Crossrail tunnel as she progressed into Farringdon station, completing the job and linking all Crossrail tunnels.

Crossrail tunnelling ended on 26 May 2015 when TBM Victoria completed her journey.

Crossrail’s tunnelling machines had a total of 18 breakthroughs when constructing the eastern tunnels (Docklands to Farringdon) and Thames Tunnel (Plumstead to North Woolwich) as follows:

Sophia at Woolwich - 15 May 2013	Elizabeth at Canary Wharf – 21 May 2013
Victoria at Canary Wharf – 11 June 2013	Mary at Woolwich - 4 September 2013
Elizabeth at Stepney Green – 6 November 2013	Elizabeth at Whitechapel – 20 January 2014
Sophia at North Woolwich – 29 January 2014	Victoria at Stepney Green – 30 January 2014
Jessica at Stepney Green – 3 February 2014	Victoria at Whitechapel – 4 April 2014
Mary at North Woolwich – 13 May 2014	Ellie at Stepney Green – 9 June 2014
Jessica at Victoria Dock Portal – 9 August 2014	Ellie at Victoria Dock Portal – 18 October 2014
Elizabeth at Liverpool Street – 29 January 2015	Victoria at Liverpool Street – 10 March 2015
Elizabeth at Farringdon – 9 May 2015	Victoria at Farringdon – 23 May 2015

The Crossrail tunnelling machines constructing the western tunnels between Royal Oak and Farringdon did not break through into any stations or portals.

In the west, tunnelling machines Phyllis and Ada were launched at Royal Oak Portal and tunnelled towards Farringdon creating the running tunnels first, after which the station tunnels were enlarged around the running tunnels. These TBMs passed under station sites at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon without any break throughs.

For the eastern tunnel drive between Docklands and Farringdon, the station tunnels and underground structures were constructed before the tunnelling machines passed these locations.

Gallery - Crossrail tunnelling machine breakthroughs

TBM Sophia breaks through into Woolwich station box, May 2013_81166
TBM Elizabeth breaks through into Canary Wharf station box, May 2013_80891
TBM Victoria breaks through into Canary Wharf station, June 2013_90935
TBM Mary breaks through into Woolwich station box, September 2013_95693
TBM Elizabeth breaks through into Stepney Green cavern, November 2013_109907
TBM Elizabeth breaks through into Whitechapel station, January 2014_120760
TBM Victoria breaks through into Stepney Green cavern, January 2014_121677
TBM Sophia completes tunnel drive at North Woolwich portal, January 2014_127874
TBM Jessica breaks through into Stepney Green cavern, February 2014_123610
TBM Victoria breaks through into Whitechapel station, April 2014_134404
TBM Mary breaks through into North Woolwich Portal, May 2014_140803
TBM Ellie breaks through into Stepney Green cavern, June 2014_145020
TBM Jessica breaks through into Victoria Dock Portal, August 2014_153137
TBM Ellie breaks through in Victoria Dock Portal, October 2014_162551
TBM Elizabeth breaks through into Liverpool Street station, January 2015_175375
TBM Victoria breaks through into Liverpool Street station, March 2015_189725
Crossrail tunnelling machine Elizabeth breaks through into Farringdon, May 2015_196754
Crossrail tunnelling machine Victoria breaks through into Farringdon, May 2015_199321