The Sydney Metro North West was a large infrastructure project that delivered Sydney’s first metro system, connecting Rouse Hill to Chatswood via Castle Hill and Epping. Initially known as the North West Rail Link (NWRL), the project involved building a new metro line and converting the existing Epping to Chatswood rail link to metro standards. Managed by Transport for NSW, the Metro North West officially opened on 26 May 2019 and was later extended through the CBD to Sydenham in 2024.
I filmed many key milestones of the project. Below are several videos capturing different stages of its construction as well as promotional materials on it’s development.
Building Showground Station
I filmed the breakthrough of TBM1 (Mega Tunnel Boring Machine) Elizabeth at showground station as well as the press conference with NSW Premier Mike Baird and NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance.
B-roll I shot throught the tunneling process was used in the videos below and used by the media for their coverage of this major milestone.
Educational Video – How we make the concrete
In only seven months a cow paddock was changed from unbroken ground to a state of the art pre-cast concrete factory.
The Tunel Boring Machines are often used as the face of tunneling projects. Many do not know of the comprehensive and complex support network required to operate these machines.
I was inducted into the site and shot the content for this educational video.
Excavating tunnel’s deepest point
Another milestone on the project was when TBM3, Isabelle reached her deepest point, digging to a depth of 58 metres. Not only was TBM3 Isabelle the first to reach the deepest point in the tunnel alignment, but this was also the lowest point of Australia’s longest twin railway tunnels.
It was a great moment for the team, highlighting an incredible amount of hard work from many different stakeholders.
As with other projects for Sydney Metro, I filmed the interview and B-roll for this video.
Filming in the tunnels and TBM was interesting, conducting a lengthy site induction and carrying bulky safety equipment like rebreathers in the case of an emergency.
Tools used across these projects:
– Canon 5D MKII
– Glidecam