absolutelymilk
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Construction of the roof was supposed to start in autumn, anyone know if it has commenced yet?
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HS2 Old Oak Common
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Unlikely. The last time I have passed the area (2-3 weeks ago) they were far from the stage where roof construction could start.
zwk500
Veteran Member
Which version of the programme was this?
PLY2AYS
Member
Agreed, seemed in a similar state to me. Unless we’re talking about the underground roof of the box as opposed to the GWML station/platform roofs?
Snow1964
Established Member
This document might help with work and timelines
I haven't tried any of the QR codes for further info, so not sure how much info it gives
absolutelymilk
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I suspected not, but haven't seen the site in a few months so wondered if they had made good progress. The timeline I saw was here (click "expand timeline" to see the part about the roof)
HS2 Old Oak Common
HS2 Old Oak Common
kevin_roche
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New Video From HS2
HS2 Old Oak Common Station Project Update | October 2025
In this video Peter Gow introduces the update from Old Oak Common, the site of HS2’s new super hub station in west London. Over the past year, significant milestones have been reached moving the project firmly into the next construction phase.
He suggests that:
HS2 Old Oak Common Station Project Update | October 2025
In this video Peter Gow introduces the update from Old Oak Common, the site of HS2’s new super hub station in west London. Over the past year, significant milestones have been reached moving the project firmly into the next construction phase.
He suggests that:
- Old Oak Common is progressing rapidly, moving from foundational works to major above-ground structures.
- The station will be a world-class transport superhub, integrating HS2 high-speed services with conventional rail lines including Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express.
- The use of advanced manufacturing techniques (e.g., automated slab production) and sustainable construction practices (low-carbon concrete, on-site batching) underline the project’s innovation.
- The installation of the world’s highest lift capacity crane signals the start of the complex roof assembly phase, critical for uniting the station’s two halves.
- The station is a key driver for regeneration, with significant economic benefits forecast for West London.
- The Euston Tunnel project is a major next step, connecting Old Oak Common directly to central London via a new underground route.
- The project supports a large workforce and apprenticeship program, ensuring a skills legacy for the UK construction sector.
- Completion of the station will enable a transformative reduction in journey times and enhanced rail capacity across the UK rail network.
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bigbigcheese
Member
This video actually mentions the crane that's been brought in to lift the roof into place. So I think it is actually "on schedule", just that maybe the walls are considered part of the roof structure? I reckon in about 6 months time we'll be able to see proper walls and roofs from the GWML.
He did mention the "Y" columns supporting the roof of the GWML station as being built now. That's a simpler design of roof than the fancy HS2/upper deck one. I think I saw some of straight columns for that roof underway in the video or perhaps somewhere else. So if you think columns counts as roof, they have started it.
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Actually what I thought was roof over the GWML station isn't, or at least not a full roof. It's the platform canopies, and while they are wider than most platforms are given these days you may not think they count.
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I think I heard they will start those columns "soon", basically next year.
Unless I misheard something...
Roofing over the some of the HS2 station box opening is much more likely to be happen first.
Snow1964
Established Member
A new drone video of HS2 Old Oak station site.
It roughly flies over the under construction alignment of the Elizabeth line platforms show shows detail of the surface platform constructions and some of the concrete walls and structures just above ground level in HS2 station.
There are now lots of concrete columns above HS2 platforms at Eastern end, presumably to support an upper floor or possibly roof structure.
There is evidence of the new trackbed to the new surface platforms (but no new bridge to carry tracks over Old Oak lane yet) at western end of site too.
It roughly flies over the under construction alignment of the Elizabeth line platforms show shows detail of the surface platform constructions and some of the concrete walls and structures just above ground level in HS2 station.
There are now lots of concrete columns above HS2 platforms at Eastern end, presumably to support an upper floor or possibly roof structure.
There is evidence of the new trackbed to the new surface platforms (but no new bridge to carry tracks over Old Oak lane yet) at western end of site too.
There is surprisingly little progress regarding both bridges, the one over Old Oak Common Lane and the one over Central Line. I guess they have a year to build them, the big blockade to slew the tracks is next Xmas if I remember correctly.
Snow1964
Established Member
It would be bit earlier than that, would want all the tracks laid through the first five platforms a few weeks before, and ready for the connection to slewed track.
There are obviously long lead junctions in there too, although initially would expect these to be clipped to be used as plain line.
The fifth track won't actually be connected initially, but because the new surface station is 4 islands, (Edited) track 1, not 5 is the initially not used line
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Chris125
Established Member
I'm surprised they appear to be casting platform walls for the GWML in-situ, wouldn't the pre-cast sections so often used on the network be quicker and easier?
The plans I understand it is to use tracks 2-5 (numbered from the north) as the temporary realignment with leaves the turnback sidings and track 1 the only through track to the north to do easily later. (The position of the new OHLE masts and bases in the video align with this being the case)
As much as possible will be plain line with point added later.
This means each pair of lines (Main and Relief) lines goes through the wider twin track gaps between the platforms.
Hence most of Island three and especially the northern platform face will be sorted before hand.
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At least there is a reasonable number of people in that part of the site in the video.
This (very schematic and rather fuzzy) is from the PWI video linked in this thread earlier on. It shows the first temporary track layout, to be implemented in the first blockade at the end of next year.
From this, the four short tracks visible west of the Central Line must be the Up relief and the three reversing sidings. One of those sidings is used to carry the Down Relief in this layout. So at this stage bridge decks must be in place over the Central Line and Old Oak Common Lane to the north of the existing bridges.
Something is being built just east of the Central Line, but how it relates to the future bridge deck in not at all obvious. An eastern abutment for the bridge over Old Oak Common Lane seems to be already built, but nothing is yet being done of the western side. Done anyone have information about what form these bridge decks will take? The space to be covered looks more suited to a large orthotropic deck than separate spans.
What does look very odd is that this little bit of track - half of it never to be used as a through line - has been built in full, with OLE structures included. Could that be just for practice, with a bit of testing methods and demonstrating to the construction teams what their end product will look like?
Snow1964
Established Member
HS2 has issued couple of newsletters with dates of what is happening and when at Old Oak Common over Christmas and Jan-March
Includes new track, drainage, cabling and electrification, there are colour codes maps as it is split into areas
Includes new track, drainage, cabling and electrification, there are colour codes maps as it is split into areas
Snow1964
Established Member
HS2 has issued notice about construction work for the new bridge over the Central line during nighttime various nights Feb and March.
This will allow slow / relief tracks to be reach the northernmost new platforms and is effectively widening of the trackbed.
It will be alongside the existing bridge, which was widened to span 4 tracks when Central line got its own tracks alongside the freight branch to White City (only the 2 central line tracks now exist. The current bridge on carries 5 tracks (it had 7 in the past)
This will allow slow / relief tracks to be reach the northernmost new platforms and is effectively widening of the trackbed.
It will be alongside the existing bridge, which was widened to span 4 tracks when Central line got its own tracks alongside the freight branch to White City (only the 2 central line tracks now exist. The current bridge on carries 5 tracks (it had 7 in the past)
Snow1964
Established Member
New HS2 info sheet on a new micro-tunnel at Old Oak Common which is about to be bored. Seems to be for a water outfall (drainage). Info includes a diagram which show it goes under GW mainline to Hitachi depot.
Says once done the tunnelling machine will be dismantled by water jet ??
Says once done the tunnelling machine will be dismantled by water jet ??
reddragon
Established Member
What is a maintenance hole?
PG
Established Member
At a guess, is it the 21st century term for a manhole?
reddragon
Established Member
I don't actually hear anyone in that industry using that term, clearly made up.
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That strikes me as a curious sentence…
A powerful enough jet of water can cut through steel. E.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66881323
I guess after doing the run it’s not worth trying to dismantle in a way it can be reused, hence cutting it up. Water jet will be a bit safer than angle grinders or gas torches.
Ah, that makes sense. I was aware of using a water jet to cut steel but that sentence didn't bring the technique to mind for some reason!
Nottingham59
Established Member
According to the article it's a mixture of water and sand, which makes more sense to me.
Snow1964
Established Member
HS2 has updated its Old Oak station page on website on 10th February
Not sure what has been changed / added / removed, but linking it for info
www.hs2.org.uk
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A new drone video of Old Oak station construction has been uploaded, 6 tower cranes are visible and work constructing 3 of the surface platform islands (the 4th island can only be built when lines have been slewed).
Not sure what the big marquee in centre is covering.
No signs of the shells (walls, roof struts) of any surface buildings yet, although the concrete outline of buildings nearer floor level over the sub surface buildings are visible. A number of what appears to be concrete pillars are visible between the 2 big luffing cranes and the surface platforms.
The video seems to jump around a bit, so it is easier to view if pause it regularly
Not sure what has been changed / added / removed, but linking it for info
Old Oak Common
Explore HS2’s Old Oak Common station in West London: a transformational transport superhub with up to 14 platforms, seamless connections to conventional lines and a key driver of regeneration and sustainable urban growth.
www.hs2.org.uk
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
A new drone video of Old Oak station construction has been uploaded, 6 tower cranes are visible and work constructing 3 of the surface platform islands (the 4th island can only be built when lines have been slewed).
Not sure what the big marquee in centre is covering.
No signs of the shells (walls, roof struts) of any surface buildings yet, although the concrete outline of buildings nearer floor level over the sub surface buildings are visible. A number of what appears to be concrete pillars are visible between the 2 big luffing cranes and the surface platforms.
The video seems to jump around a bit, so it is easier to view if pause it regularly
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reddragon
Established Member
I recently had a visit to OOC, including down in the box. The rumbling of the TBM echo's inside quite clearly. Not allowed to share much, but these shots are quite benine.
and from platform level.
and from platform level.