One of the TBMs used to excavate the Channel Tunnel has been auctioned for charity on the internet trading site Ebay.
Channel Tunnel operator, Eurotunnel, described the TBM: “580 tonne monster machine is a prized relic from the greatest construction achievement of the 20th century.” The description speculated that the TBM could be of interest to a museum, especially as this is the tenth anniversary year of the Channel Tunnel’s opening, it was however sold as scrap.
The TBM has been a familiar sight to travellers, situated at the Folkestone terminal, but Eurotunnel sold the display location for an office development.
The winning bidder was Steven Murphy, who bid £39,999 (US$71,683) for the TBM. Murphy told T&TI that his intention was to donate the TBM to a museum, but that he was quoted a prohibitive figure of US$460,000 to transport it intact, so he had to retract his bid. This meant that the second highest bidder was successful by default, Tony Wilkinson of Reclamet Ltd, a metal recycler who bid £39,995 (US$71,676). Wilkinson told T&TI scrapping it was “a crying shame” and it should stay where it is, but for business he had priced it for scrap and was pleased he had bought it.
The transport costs will not be a factor for Reclamet as it intends to dismantle it on site. Recyclable components such as motors and hydraulic rams will be offered for sale and the remainder will be cut into 2t-3t sections for transport to a nearby recycling facility.
Eurotunnel said the proceeds raised by the sale would be donated to the charities McMillan Nurses, Demelza House Hospice and Pilgrim’s Hospice.
Wilkinson said he will auction the 228 tungsten carbide teeth from the head as memorabilia, with the proceeds going to his preferred charity of QEQM Cancer Care Appeal.
