HS2 construction updates

[Born Acorn]

The passive provisions for the Heathrow spur didn't go into the final design, per this FOI request.

Accordingly, the already completed Tilehouse Lane overbridge isn't as wide as shown and the Eastern valley provision has been replaced with the Copthall Tunnel design.

 

[Geogregor]

Victoria Rd crosover:

https://twitter.com/HS2ltd/status/1593303427492216833

 

[reddragon]

This is where they are currently constructing the slab over the box. No work is going on around the utility crossing apart from the diversion works into the new utility bridge.

 

[Fazaar1889]

Some really big conveyer belts are now in use

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Good to know the conveyor is operational.
Apart from the OOC construction, it is needed to supply the Victoria Road TBMs with segments, but it seems they are not starting on the Northolt tunnels for another 12 months. No doubt some segment stockpiling will be needed.
Apparently the future logistics tunnel conveyor extension will support the Euston tunnelling when its TBMs start up, but I'm not sure how that will work.

Buried deep in the HS2 web site is a presentation showing the design of the conveyor system and how it reaches the various end-points of construction at OOC.
It has detailed maps of the sites, overlaid with where the conveyor system fits in.
The document is a year old, and was mainly aimed at local residents, but more recent HS2 updates don't go into as much detail.
The maps start a couple of pages into this pdf document:

https://assets.hs2.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2110-BBVS-SCSJV-conveyor-engagement-event-October-2021.pdf

The conveyor system connecting the HS2 sites in Old Oak and Park Royal will be over 1.2 kilometres. It will have ten transfer points where the conveyor system will turn a corner or make a slight turn as it moves excavated materials to the Willesden Euroterminal site. The transfer points will be fully enclosed and will have noise reducing barriers. The conveyor belts will be covered going to and from the transfer points, so you won’t be able to see them.

 

[12LDA28C]

It appears a trackbed and ballast has gone down at West Ruislip for the new sidings being laid on the embankment on the Up side just north of the station. I expect to see some rail in place very soon.

 

[reddragon]

Apart from the OOC construction, it is needed to supply the Victoria Road TBMs with segments, but it seems they are not starting on the Northolt tunnels for another 12 months. No doubt some segment stockpiling will be needed.

Unplanned emergency enabling works in Greenford are required.

 

[ABB125]

Unplanned emergency enabling works in Greenford are required.

Are you able to share any more information (and also who's paying for the additional work)?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

HS2 has updated the TBM positions today, Nov 23.
The Chiltern TBMs are at 7474m and 7245m, and look likely to reach the 8km half-way point by year-end at the current 20m/day.
Only the first Northolt TBM (Shushila) is shown, at 218m, still managing about 4m/day.

Interactive route map

Explore the interactive HS2 route map to see the railway, stations and construction works and find information about HS2 activity in your local area.

www.hs2.org.uk

Edit:
And today Nov 24, TBM Dorothy has been re-launched at Long Itchington to bore the eastern 1.6km tunnel, having completed the western tunnel in July.
The progress map now shows two TBM symbols at Long Itchington, one for the completion of the first bore, and a new one for the second bore, which has already done 15m.

HS2 celebrates launch of TBM for second tunnel bore under Long Itchington Wood in Warks

The 2,000 tonne tunnel boring machine ‘Dorothy’ sets off for second tunnel drive under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire The first one-mile tunnel bore was completed in July this year – the first breakthrough on the HS2 project This is the sixth tunnel launch on the project, but the first...

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

 

[reddragon]

Are you able to share any more information (and also who's paying for the additional work)?

Costs are being shared between the 3 organisations involved as all have a share of liability.

 

[AL1875]

Really seems like they are ramping up the pace now. 1 bored tunnel already completed and several more in progress. I was wondering just how much earthworks are going on now on the main route (are we starting to see a railway take shape?).

A few other random question popped into my head recently and I thought this would be a good thread to ask them:

1. Is the intention to open Phase 1 (apart from Euston) and 2a simultaneously almost as if they are one section of railway?

2. How far behind is Euston from the rest of the Phase 1/2a project? Ie if OOC is delayed could it open at the same time?

I am also a bit of an electrification geek so was interested to know if they had decided what cantenary and signalling system to use. Maybe a replica of HS1 or the newer LGV routes in France.

That's probably enough for today haha. I will be in Birmingham next month so I will probably pop down to Curzon street, though it is probably still a hole in the ground at the moment.

 

[12LDA28C]

3. How far along are those chiltern tunnels? It seems like they have bored a very long way now so I wondered if they had reached halfway?

I believe this has been answered literally two posts above (#1570)

 

[AL1875]

I believe this has been answered literally two posts above (#1570)

My bad I have only just realised. I will amend the original post.

 

[zwk500]

I am also a bit of an electrification geek so was interested to know if they had decided what cantenary and signalling system to use. Maybe a replica of HS1 or the newer LGV routes in France.

IIRC Signalling will be ETCS L2 with interface to standard UK signalling, instead of the HS1 TVM-430 with interface to French KVB (and a bit of standard UK stuff).

Electrification is 25KV AC OLE, and I'd guess the design will be similar to either contemporary European HS Lines or the recent 125mph+ kit NR have installed elsewhere in GB.

And yes, the signalling and electrification systems will need to be decided on quite early. Halfway through building the line would be rather late to change your mind on something that fundamental.

 

[snowball]

1. Is the intention to open Phase 1 (apart from Euston) and 2a simultaneously almost as if they are one section of railway?

I think ever since phase 2 was split into 2a and 2b the intention has been to open 2a fairly soon after 1, say a year, but simultaneously would be pushing it, even if you had asked the question a year or two ago - and since then there has been speculation that the government may slow down 2a for financial reasons. The main contract for 2a is still some way off being awarded.

 

[AL1875]

I think ever since phase 2 was split into 2a and 2b the intention has been to open 2a fairly soon after 1, say a year, but simultaneously would be pushing it, even if you had asked the question a year or two ago - and since then there has been speculation that the government may slow down 2a for financial reasons. The main contract for 2a is still some way off being awarded.

I thought 2a already had royal assent? If so then building Phase 1 alone is pretty much pointless, with massive overcrowding on the WCML north of Birmingham. Could you even run up phase 1, where would you join the WCML?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Really seems like they are ramping up the pace now. 1 bored tunnel already completed and several more in progress. I was wondering just how much earthworks are going on now on the main route (are we starting to see a railway take shape?).

A few other random question popped into my head recently and I thought this would be a good thread to ask them:
1. Is the intention to open Phase 1 (apart from Euston) and 2a simultaneously almost as if they are one section of railway?
2. How far behind is Euston from the rest of the Phase 1/2a project? Ie if OOC is delayed could it open at the same time?

I am also a bit of an electrification geek so was interested to know if they had decided what cantenary and signalling system to use. Maybe a replica of HS1 or the newer LGV routes in France.
That's probably enough for today haha. I will be in Birmingham next month so I will probably pop down to Curzon street, though it is probably still a hole in the ground at the moment.

You can see from the various drone videos (from Sept/Oct) mentioned in this thread that there is work in progress on virtually all the HS2 trace (tunnels not visible of course).
But most of it so far is clearance and enabling works for the real thing (eg road/rail/footpath/utility diversions).
The Colne Valley viaduct is taking shape, and you can see the various headhouse/ventilation shaft works for the tunnels if you plot the HS2 route underneath.
The deep cuttings at Calvert and near Brackley are under construction, and some smaller viaducts are taking shape (piers at least).
The station sites (Euston, OOC, Interchange and Curzon St) areas are huge but very complicated, so far without any hint of the future railway.
Google maps shows some of this but is mostly a year or two out of date, so doesn't really reflect what's on the ground now.
Generally the HS2 work sites are marked (with the name of the contractor), and you can often trace the line of route in the area between the sites.

There was/is an aim to open Phase 2a with Phase 1, but 2a was 4 years behind in the process when it was approved.
The aim is to merge some of the contracts so that 2a can catch up, but it's impossible to know how it will go.
Phase 1 is a much higher risk project, with all the tunnelling and station work to do.

If you hadn't realised, Phase 1 goes to Lichfield (Handsacre) where it joins the WCML, with Birmingham as a branch.
Royal Assent for Phase 2a doesn't automatically get it funded (although that seems not to be in doubt now) or gets spades in the ground immediately.
They are still involved in land purchase and ground investigations for Phase 2a, plus planning the Network Rail changes necessary at Crewe.

I believe the tunnel and railway from OOC to Euston have to be finished before OOC can open.
It's just the station construction at Euston that is holding it back, and they are not through the planning process yet.
I don't think anyone is aiming for Euston and OOC to be ready at the same time.

The electrification and signalling haven't been contracted yet - nor the track for that matter.
The electrification contract doesn't give anything away on the design, but the contractor shortlist includes all the usual suspects, often as JVs, together with "China Railway Electrification".
Signalling has Alstom, Siemens and Hitachi on the short list, and we know it will be ETCS.

 

[JamesT]

I thought 2a already had royal assent? If so then building Phase 1 alone is pretty much pointless, with massive overcrowding on the WCML north of Birmingham. Could you even run up phase 1, where would you join the WCML?

Phase 1 ends with a junction to the WCML at Handsacre, near Lichfield.

 

[Watershed]

Phase 1 ends with a junction to the WCML at Handsacre, near Lichfield.

Though Colwich Junction would once again rear its ugly head if Phase 2a were to be scrapped. The cost of grade separating that, together with the 'minimum viable product' of four tracking to Whitehouse Jn, probably wouldn't be far off the cost of Phase 2a though. Plus there would no doubt be huge protests over building additional tracks through the Cannock Chase AONB.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

IIRC Signalling will be ETCS L2 with interface to standard UK signalling, instead of the HS1 TVM-430 with interface to French KVB (and a bit of standard UK stuff).
Electrification is 25KV AC OLE, and I'd guess the design will be similar to either contemporary European HS Lines or the recent 125mph+ kit NR have installed elsewhere in GB.
And yes, the signalling and electrification systems will need to be decided on quite early. Halfway through building the line would be rather late to change your mind on something that fundamental.

By interface you mean at Hansacre and Crewe? And possibly at Calvert and Stone for engineering access.
Otherwise it should be bog-standard ETCS level 2 on the trains and track.

I'd be surprised if any NR electrification gear was used on HS2.
None of the HS lines in Europe use anything like NR Series 1, which is supposedly good up to 225km/h (140mph).
We are looking at 350km/h or even 400km/h aren't we, but without the variety of traffic on our classic lines (eg multiple pantographs, or obstacles like level crossings and variable wire heights etc.).

 

[zwk500]

By interface you mean at Hansacre and Crewe? And possibly at Calvert and Stone for engineering access.
Otherwise it should be bog-standard ETCS level 2 on the trains and track.

Yes, I mean at connections to the classic line.

I'd be surprised if any NR electrification gear was used on HS2.
None of the HS lines in Europe use anything like NR Series 1, which is supposedly good up to 225km/h (140mph).
We are looking at 350km/h or even 400km/h aren't we, but without the variety of traffic on our classic lines (eg multiple pantographs, or obstacles like level crossings and variable wire heights etc.).

Designed for 400kph max, normal operating speed 330kph, but can go to 360kph according to Business case as quoted by Wikipedia. From what I can see, the max speed anywhere in Europe right now is 320kph.

 

[snowball]

I thought 2a already had royal assent? If so then building Phase 1 alone is pretty much pointless, with massive overcrowding on the WCML north of Birmingham. Could you even run up phase 1, where would you join the WCML?

Phase 2a got Royal Assent in Feb 2021 but that doesn't force the government to go ahead with it on any particular timescale, or indeed at all. As others have said, phase 1 can operate without it, and ends at a junction with the WCML at Handsacre.

 

[swt_passenger]

Phase 2a got Royal Assent in Feb 2001 but that doesn't force the government to go ahead with it on any particular timescale, or indeed at all. As others have said, phase 1 can operate without it, and ends at a junction with the WCML at Handsacre.

Typo for 2021?

 

[snowball]

Typo for 2021?

Whoops yes. I'd already corrected it by the time I saw your post

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Phase 2a got Royal Assent in Feb 2001 but that doesn't force the government to go ahead with it on any particular timescale, or indeed at all. As others have said, phase 1 can operate without it, and ends at a junction with the WCML at Handsacre.

Feb 2021...

Prior to Phase 2a opening, I should think the through HS2 services will mostly replace 390s on the same routes as now north of Handsacre.
There will be the added complication of them being 110mph rather than 125mph (though we don't know the planned WCML non-tilt speed profile yet).
They will also have to be 200m trains at least until the Crewe changes are ready.

 

[AL1875]

I am slightly surprised by the talk of Phase 2a being scrapped, because I thought they had gone out to tender on contracts? I thought Phase 2a and 2b West were safe. Must not be which is sad.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Nov 2022 ==

Yes, I mean at connections to the classic line.

Designed for 400kph max, normal operating speed 330kph, but can go to 360kph according to Business case as quoted by Wikipedia. From what I can see, the max speed anywhere in Europe right now is 320kph.

In that case you would assume they would consult the French over the highest spec wires that they use on the 320kph LGV sections.

 

[zwk500]

In that case you would assume they would consult the French over the highest spec wires that they use on the 320kph LGV sections.

Well the maths around OLE and high speed is fairly well understood by both engineering firms and university departments in the UK as well as in France. The UK has it's own 300kph line, remember and 300 to 320kph isn't the same leap that 320 to 400kph would be. I suspect that whoever the design consultants are will be asking the French, Germans and others about it though just because it's good to hear lots of ideas.

 

[snowball]

I am slightly surprised by the talk of Phase 2a being scrapped, because I thought they had gone out to tender on contracts? I thought Phase 2a and 2b West were safe. Must not be which is sad.

The current discussion of this started with #1546 where I merely said there had been talk of it being slowed down, not scrapped. However, in three months we've had three prime ministers and a huge financial crisis, with lots of policy reversals and speculation in all directions, which only reduced a bit a week ago with the autumn statement. See for example this thread.

 

[The Planner]

Feb 2021...

Prior to Phase 2a opening, I should think the through HS2 services will mostly replace 390s on the same routes as now north of Handsacre.
There will be the added complication of them being 110mph rather than 125mph (though we don't know the planned WCML non-tilt speed profile yet).
They will also have to be 200m trains at least until the Crewe changes are ready.

They need to comply with the MU profile to use the new speeds (which should be a given) Crewe will be done by the time Phase 1 opens.

 

[Domh245]

I suspect that whoever the design consultants are will be asking the French, Germans and others about it though just because it's good to hear lots of ideas.

Whoever ends up doing the final design & build, they'll be using SNCF Resau's "V360 OCS"

HS2 launches race for Overhead Catenary System suppliers

HS2 Ltd today began the search for specialist contractors to deliver the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) that will provide power to trains.

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

HS2 Ltd today began the search for specialist contractors to deliver the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) that will provide power to trains.
HS2 Ltd today began the search for specialist contractors to deliver the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) that will provide power to trains running on the UK's new high speed rail link between London, Birmingham and the north of England.
Following on from the government’s green light for the start of construction, this rail systems contract – worth an estimated £300m - will provide valuable opportunities for companies across the UK recovering from the coronavirus lockdown.
The winner of the OCS package will be responsible for additional stages of design as well as manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the systems. OCS will be a single stage procurement, with the successful bidder delivering two separate contracts covering Phase One and Phase 2a - from London to Crewe, where HS2 services will join the existing west coast main line.
The system will cover 589 single track kilometres, including 62 viaducts, 293 bridges and 15 tunnels. The successful bidder will be responsible for design and will be expected to work closely with HS2’s other rail systems suppliers to ensure integration of its design and throughout construction, testing and commissioning.
HS2 will use the state-of-the-art V360 OCS design range under licence from SNCF Reseau - the first system in Europe to be certified for speeds of up to 360km/h. The licence agreement allows the OCS contractor to go to the components market to find the most competitive supplier, opening up opportunities for smaller suppliers across the UK.
A shortlist is expected to be announced in the summer with contract award in 2022.

HS2 Ltd’s Procurement and Commercial Director, David Poole said:
“Our state-of-the-art rail systems will allow HS2 to run fast, frequent, high capacity services across the network - offering low carbon travel options for millions of people across Britain. The overhead catenary is a vital part of the project and the successful bidder will play a crucial role in keeping the HS2 network running safely and reliably.”

Earlier this week, HS2 also launched contract opportunities worth an estimated £498m, covering Tunnel and Lineside Mechanical and Electrical equipment across Phase One and 2a. This includes the tunnel services within the shafts, tunnels and cross-passages and low voltage power services and distribution in the open route.
A shortlist is expected to be announced towards the end of the year, with contract award in 2022.

Noting that the shortlist came out in Mid-2021, so I think contract award in the next month seems unlikely!

There's also this specification document I've just discovered whilst googling, for those with insomnia and who don't mind missing half of the documents!