In the tradition of tunnel building, every TBM must be named before it is launched to build the tunnel to wish for a smooth and successful project, and all of them are named after women!

Story about why TBMs are named after women

It is said that this tradition comes from the veneration of an ancient patron saint – St. Barbara. She was a 2nd century Turkish or Lebanese martyr who was imprisoned and killed by her father for her religious beliefs, and it is said that the God punished her father by striking him with a bolt of lightning. Ever since then, miners and those who worked with explosives would pray to St. Barbara to protect them from the dangers of working underground. St. Barbara was therefore recognised as the most famous patron saint of construction safety in Europe and became the origin of the tradition of giving female names to TBMs.

In the past, TBMs used in Hong Kong railway projects were named after many famous women in Chinese and foreign history or legends, such as Mu Gui-ying, Princess Wencheng, Princess Iron Fan and Athena.

Names of TBMs in Hong Kong Railway in the past

To wish for success of the tunnel construction works of the West Section of the Tung Chung Line Extension, we would like to invite you to participate in the Tunnel Boring Machine Naming Competition! For details, please visit here.