Edmonton's South LRT Extension

The Tunnel Boring Machine

In order to bring the SLRT line to grade south of 87 Ave a tunnel had to be built. There were two options that would have worked well for this task, either the Sequential Excavation Method (SEM), or the use of a tunnel boring machine (TBM). The TBM option was selected and a TBM was acquired for the project though Lovat. The TBM, model RME257SE, was originally built for a metro project in Singapore. Some parts were shipped to Edmonton directly, while others were refurbished by Lovat at their shops in Ontario. Parts were arriving onsite by May 2003 and assembly began in June 2003. A few problems did occur and it wasn't until August 27, 2003 that the TBM was officially underway. The TBM broke through at the TBM recovery shaft on November 8, 2003. To remove the TBM from the recovery shaft, a lift operation was scheduled for November 14-16, 2003. The TBM was lifted out in two pieces on the 15th, and placed back into the main SLRT site on the 16th to prepare it for the job of tunnelling the northbound tunnel.

This page is split into two sections. The first section is for images of the TBM and TBM backup train. The other section is for the TBM train and related photos.

TBM Photos
May 3, 2003 Some parts of the TBM at the SLRT site.	May 3, 2003 Some parts of the TBM at the SLRT site.	May 3, 2003 Some parts of the TBM at the SLRT site.	May 3, 2003 Some parts of the TBM at the SLRT site.	May 10, 2003 Another part of the TBM at the SLRT site.
June 12, 2003 The base that the TBM will be constructed on.	June 17, 2003 An overall shot showing parts of the TBM on the west side of the SLRT site.	June 17, 2003 A view showing various parts of the TBM throughout the SLRT site.	June 17, 2003 Closer view of parts of the TBM sitting at the north side of the SLRT site.	June 17, 2003 Closer view of parts of the TBM sitting at the north side of the SLRT site.
June 17, 2003 The TBM under construction at the TBM launch pad.	June 17, 2003 First part of the TBM looks complete now.	June 17, 2003 First part of the TBM looks complete now.	June 17, 2003 First part of the TBM looks complete now.	June 23, 2003 Second part of the TBM nearly complete.
June 23, 2003 Second part of the TBM nearly complete.	June 23, 2003 Second part of the TBM nearly complete.	June 23, 2003 Work on the TBM with part of the track for the back up train visible.	June or July 2003 2 sections of the TBM with all major parts installed.	June or July 2003 First part of the backup train.
June or July 2003 First part of the backup train and TBM.	June or July 2003 2 of the covers for the 2 TBM shortly after arriving.	June or July 2003 Lifting a cover for TBM into SLRT site.	June or July 2003 Lifting a cover for TBM into SLRT site.	July 2003 Two halves of TBM head.
July 2003 TBM assembly.	July 2003 Overall shot of TBM	July 9, 2003 Work on the TBM. The conveyor between the TBM and backup train is partially in place	July 9, 2003 Work on the TBM. The conveyor between the TBM and backup train is partially in place	July 9, 2003 TBM backup train seen while looking south into the SLRT site
July 9, 2003 The TBM and its backup train starting to take shape	July 2003 TBM head	July 2003 Recently installed conveyor on the TBM backup train	July 2003 Installing conveyor on TBM backup train	July 14, 2003 The TBM with the outer cover on over the head.
July 14, 2003 The TBM with the outer cover on over the head.	July 14, 2003 The TBM with the outer cover on over the head.	July 14, 2003 Overall shot of TBM.	August 10, 2003 TBM seen sitting at night.	August 10, 2003 TBM photographed at night.
August 10, 2003 TBM photographed at night looking ready to advance into the tangent pile.	August 11, 2003 South end of TBM backup train with loaded segment cars.	August 11, 2003 The TBM Train has pushed the loaded segment cars into the backup unit of the TBM.	August 11, 2003 The loaded segment car has had the platform holding the tunnel liners rotated 90 degrees in order to remove the tunnel liners and install them.	August 24, 2003 The TBM is pretty much complete and has made its first advances into the tangent pile.
August 26, 2003 The TBM is alive and running as evident from the spoil being thrown off of the conveyor and into a waiting car. It was officially underway the next day.	August 26, 2003 This photo shows the TBM nearly fully into the tangent pile with temporary tunnel liners installed behind it.	September 6, 2003 Completed section of temporary tunnel liners.	October 22, 2003 The TBM train emerging from the tunnel with the ventilation shaft visible.	December 13, 2003 Screw conveyor.
December 13, 2003 TBM backup train	December 13, 2003 TBM backup train	December 13, 2003 Part of TBM backup train.	December 18, 2003 TBM backup train.	December 18, 2003 Screw conveyor with conveyor from TBM backup train attached.
December 18, 2003 TBM backup train.	December 18, 2003 TBM backup train.

This section will be for photos of just the TBM train which is used to bring tunnel segments into the TBM backup train, and remove spoil that has been removed by the TBM.

 

TBM Train Photos
July 7, 2003 2 Locomotives at the site	July 7, 2003 2 Locomotives at the site.	July 9, 2003 Locomotive at the site.	July 9, 2003 Locomotive at the site.	August 11, 2003 Grout car
August 11, 2003 Loaded segment car.	August 26, 2003 Loaded segment car.	August 2003 Unloading muck car.	August 2003 Unloading muck car.	August 2003 Unloading muck car.
August 2003 Unloading muck car.	August 2003 Unloading muck car.	August 2003 Unloading muck car.	August 2003 Unloading muck car.	August 2003 Empty muck car bin waiting for its first use in Edmonton.
September 6, 2003 Lifting tunnel segments	September 6, 2003 Placing tunnel segments on to segment car.	September 6, 2003 2 locomotives sitting at SLRT site.	September 9, 2003 Loaded bin, ready to be lifted.	September 9, 2003 Loaded bin being lifted.
September 9, 2003 First bin has been lifted.	October 22, 2003 Emerging train.	October 22, 2003 Train being positioned to lift bin.	October 22, 2003 Lifting 3rd bin.	October 22, 2003 Preparing to lift 4th bin.
October 22, 2003 Returning 4th bin onto car.	October 22, 2003 Loading grout car.	October 22, 2003 Grout car and another car.	October 22, 2003 Empty segment cars.	October 22, 2003 Lowering segments for a 1.2m section of tunnel.
October 22, 2003 With spoil emptied, grout car filled and tunnel segments loaded the train is ready to return to the TBM.	October 29 2003 Only a 2 car train emerging.	October 29 2003 Dumping spoil.	October 29 2003 Steam rising from just dumped spoil. This was the day of the first snowfall of the season.	October 29 2003 Returning bin to car.
January 14, 2004 Train waiting to enter backup train.	January 14, 2004 Train waiting to enter backup train.

This page last updated on February 18, 2004

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