Video: Crossrail's TBM's Victoria and Elizabeth lowered into the ground
By Tom Lawson
Crossrail has marked a major milestone in the construction of London's new rail line with the lowering of a 550 tonne tunnelling machines into a 40 metre deep shaft in east London, ahead of the start of tunnelling for Crossrail's eastern section of the new rail line.
The delicate operation required one of the largest cranes in Europe to lift the equivalent of 280 London taxis. Perfect weather conditions were needed and the light winds and no rain allowed for Elizabeth and Victoria, her sister machine, to be moved underground.
Elizabeth will start tunnelling later this year, travelling under the River Lea towards Canary Wharf. Work has started to prepare Crossrail's Canary Wharf station to receive Elizabeth, with workers breaking out the hard concrete at the tunnel eyes to allow for the machines to easily enter the station next year.
Both tunnelling machines will receive maintenance while in the large station box, before continuing their journeys toward Whitechapel, Liverpool Street and Farringdon.
Gallery - Monster lift sees giant tunnelling machines lowered 40 metres below ground
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Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012
Crossrail's third tunnel boring machine, Elizabeth, lifted by one of the largest cranes in Europe. -
Crossrail TBM Victoria lowered into the shaft at Limmo 27 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Victoria lowered into the shaft at Limmo 27 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Victoria lowered into the shaft at Limmo 27 October 2012
Crossrail's fourth TBM, Victoria, was lowered into the main shaft at Limmo Peninsula on 27 October. -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012 -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012
The 550 tonne tunnelling machine was lowered into a 40 metre deep shaft constructed at Limmo Peninsula - Crossrail's eastern tunnels launch site, near Canning Town. -
Crossrail TBM Elizabeth lowered into the main shaft, 25 October 2012
The 1,350 tonne crane took weeks to assemble and includes heavy duty equipment to carry Elizabeth and Victoria on their descent into the enormous main shaft built at the site. -
Crossrail TBM Victoria lowered into the shaft at Limmo 27 October 2012
