Lovat TBM for Krolsky Tunnel in SiberiaRussian contractor Bamtonnelstroy of Krasnoryarsk took delivery three months ahead of schedule of their new TBM 'Martha', a 9.5 m-diameter hard rock machine designed and manufactured by Lovat, at an acceptance ceremony and successful testing of the machine held in mid-April. The 1,250-tonne single shield TBM, model RME375SE series 21400, is a dual-mode machine, which operates in open mode for rock and can be converted to EPB if there is a presence of water. The TBM is to be used to bore the 2,250 m Krolsky tunnel outside of Krasnoryarsk in Siberia, through a combination of slates, limestone and granite, as part of a double-track single-tube replacement of an existing smaller and older tunnel on the trans-Siberian railway. The Russian Railways is the owner of the line. The project schedule plans a TBM assembly prior to winter setting in. The TBM is expected to begin excavation on 30th September, 2005. Attending the ceremony as guests of Lovat were representatives from Export Development Canada (export credit), the Royal Bank of Canada (project financing) and Hatch Mott MacDonald (tunnel lining designer). Visit www.lovat.com and www.bamts.ru 20/05.