SRL TBM Belinda’s first component arrives at Clarinda, Melbourne

The first component of Suburban Connect’s second tunnel boring machine, TBM Belinda, has arrived at Clarinda, with her front shield lowered into place at the base of the eastern launch shaft ahead of tunnelling on Suburban Rail Loop East.

Named by students at Clayton North Primary School after Belinda McKenzie, TBM Belinda honours a trailblazer who made history as Puffing Billy Railway’s first female train driver.

Over nine years of training, she worked across several roles, from engine cleaner to steam and diesel stoker and trainee driver, before becoming the railway’s first female driver. In 2019, she was part of Puffing Billy’s first all-women crew.

Suburban Connect recently welcomed Belinda to the Clarinda site to see her namesake up close. Raph Touzel, Project Director, Tunnels & Stations South, and Harry Flavell, Superintendent, showed her around the TBM launch facility, including the front shield and the eastern launch shaft where TBM Belinda will begin its underground journey.

Belinda was amazed by the scale of the site and the progress made in preparation for tunnelling. She was also excited to learn that one of Suburban Connect’s TBMs will have an all-women crew, drawing a special connection between her own milestone at Puffing Billy and the project.

“It was really great to meet Belinda and hear how she drove the Puffing Billy train from Belgrave with an all-women crew in 2019,” said Harry Flavell. “She was excited to hear that we will have an all-women crew on one of our TBMs as well.”

TBM Belinda and TBM Aayushi will excavate 10 kilometres of tunnels between Clarinda and Glen Waverley as part of SRL East. TBM Aayushi is scheduled to launch first later this year, followed by TBM Belinda.