HS2 TBM Progress

[GRALISTAIR]

The Chiltern TBMs continue to storm onwards:
On Jan 15: Florence 15648m, Cecila 15167m, both moving close to 25m/day.
They have 412m and 893m left respectively to reach the north portal.

So both before the end of April which is encouraging.

 

[hwl]

So both before the end of April which is encouraging.

Surely that is equivalent to early and late Feb completion at those rates? (ignoring the likely glacial pace of the last few metres for photo op timing.)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Surely that is equivalent to early and late Feb completion at those rates? (ignoring the likely glacial pace of the last few metres for photo op timing.)

In life, I prefer to under promise and over deliver! But yes, you are correct.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Finally, a positive update on the Northolt TBMs.
On Jan 15, Shushila was at 3373m (+458m), and Shushila at 3041m (+216m) - the increments are since the Dec 19 position.
These are significant movements after long periods being stationary at the South Ruislip vent shaft undergoing maintenance.
Hopefully this represents a turn of events on the London tunnels.
Shushila is now underneath the extended Northolt Junction layout where the GC route into Marylebone diverges from the GW route towards Old Oak Common.

In your area map - HS2

Search our interactive In Your Area Map to find information about current or planned HS2 construction works taking place across the route.

www.hs2.org.uk

 

[marko2]

Surely that is equivalent to early and late Feb completion at those rates? (ignoring the likely glacial pace of the last few metres for photo op timing.)

I'm doubtful that any member of the government is going to be keen to do that photoshoot - or be particularly welcome on site if they did.

 

[Benjwri]

I'm doubtful that any member of the government is going to be keen to do that photoshoot - or be particularly welcome on site if they did.

The government might not want to, but the civils companies will most certainly want to get someone high up in their company and the press down for a photo shoot for the advertisement.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Bromford TBM (Mary Ann) has now reported for Jan 15: 1388m (+98m since Dec 19).
So we now have Jan 15 reports for all the TBMs except Lydia, boring the off-line logistics tunnel at Old Oak.

Edit Jan 19:
The position of Lydia at OOC has been updated for Jan 15, in line with all the other TBMs.
But it hasn't moved since November 23, still with 200m to go to complete its short drive.

 

[Yindee8191]

This great update flyover of Old Oak Common has just been uploaded, and it looks to me like the first TBM to launch from the Victoria Road Crossover Box has started.

At 13:27 in the video, you can see the fully assembled TBM next to the partially assembled one, and the completed machine is further forward towards the tunnel. Can anyone confirm whether this means it’s started digging?

EDIT: should’ve watched a bit further in the video! At 14:23 you can see the shaft where the head of the TBM is and it hasn’t moved yet. Looks ready to go though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

As usual, the Chiltern TBMs are first to report progress this week.
As of Jan 22 (progress since Jan 15):
Florence is at 15842m (+194m), Cecilia is at 15271m (+104m).

So Florence has only 218m to go, and at this rate will reach the north portal in about 10 days.

Interactive route map

Use HS2’s interactive map to explore the entire route of Britain’s new high-speed railway. Find present and upcoming works, tunnels, station locations and community updates — all in one easy-to-navigate map.

www.hs2.org.uk

Edit Jan23:
Northolt TBMs for Jan 22:
Shushila 3486m (+113m since Jan 15), Caroline 3167m (+126m).
Good progress, both better than 16m/day.

 

[jfowkes]

TBM Lydia has broken through into the Old Oak Common box, as reported by @philatrail on twitter.

This is the logistics tunnel for the Euston - OOC tunnels that will hopefully still happen.

Picture credit to Phil as linked above.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The HS2 web site has yet to catch up with Lydia's breakthrough.
The job (853m) has taken almost 9 months.
Lydia was rebuilt from one of the Crossrail TBMs.
The flooded chamber for the Euston TBMs ("Old Oak Lido" - see the X link above) looks challenging.

Later on Jan 23:
The HS2 web site has finally caught up with Lydia's breakthrough with some official pictures:

Completion of HS2 logistics tunnel paves the way for high-speed line to Euston

HS2’s 847 tonne tunnel boring machine breaks through into Old Oak Common Station box The 853-metre logistics tunnel will support the construction of HS2’s Euston tunnel Video of the breakthrough available here: https://youtu.be/vad8bbYie8U

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

HS2’s London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) constructed the logistics tunnel using a TBM made from components repurposed from a machine previously used to construct London’s Elizabeth Line. The TBM is named Lydia, a name selected by the local community, after Lydia Gandaa – a former teacher at Old Oak Common Primary School.
The TBM broke through into the eastern end of the Old Oak Common underground station box, which is currently under construction by a separate joint venture – Balfour Beatty Vinci SYSTRA (BBVS JV). Later this year, SCS JV will lower two additional TBMs into the box and assemble them ready to bring the HS2 line into Euston. Once they are in place BBVS JV will seal the box and continue to construct HS2’s super-hub station.

Although it doesn't say so, I imagine the Lydia tunnelling team will move on to the nearby Northolt East TBMs, to be launched soon.

 

[Geogregor]

Although it doesn't say so, I imagine the Lydia tunnelling team will move on to the nearby Northolt East TBMs, to be launched soon.

I would think so, those are now well trained and experienced people.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Both Chiltern TBMs reported 120m progress in the last week - Florence is now (Jan 29) at 15962m, Cecilia 15391m.
That means Florence has 98m to go, Cecilia 669m.
So Florence's breakthrough into the north portal could come this week, unless it has to wait for a staged event.

In your area map - HS2

Search our interactive In Your Area Map to find information about current or planned HS2 construction works taking place across the route.

www.hs2.org.uk

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Update for today (February 6) at Chiltern and Northolt West.

Chiltern:
Florence 15972m (+10m since Jan 29), Cecilia 15477m (+86m).
So Florence is now moving very slowly and is still 88m short of the northern portal; Cecilia catching up but still 583m left and probably 4-6 weeks behind Florence.

Northolt East:
Shushila 3735m (+249m in 15 days since Jan 22), Caroline 3341m (+174m).
Both making good progress near Northolt Jn.
Shushila is 185m (about 2 weeks work) from the half-way point of its drive.

Nothing yet for Mary Ann at Bromford (last update Jan 15), or on the launch of new TBMs.

PS Mary Ann was updated later today (Feb 6), and is now at 1540m, +158m since Jan 15 or getting on for 7m/day.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Update for today (February 6) at Chiltern and Northolt West.

Chiltern:
Florence 15972m (+10m since Jan 29), Cecilia 15477m (+86m).
So Florence is now moving very slowly and is still 88m short of the northern portal; Cecilia catching up but still 583m left and probably 4-6 weeks behind Florence.

Deliberate slowing down so Cecilia can catch up?

 

[themiller]

Deliberate slowing down so Cecilia can catch up?

More likely so that the TBM exits in a controlled manner without causing unwanted damage to the exit portal.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

More likely so that the TBM exits in a controlled manner without causing unwanted damage to the exit portal.

That does make sense thankyou.

 

[Elecman]

More likely so that the TBM exits in a controlled manner without causing unwanted damage to the exit portal.

Or waiting for. a political VIP to be present for the breakthrough photo opportunity although that would have to be before the Purdah period of the local elections

 

[Snow1964]

Deliberate slowing down so Cecilia can catch up?

Very unlikely, normally want to keep cutting heads few hundred metres apart as get certain amount of ground vibrations. If run them side by side increase risk of ground crumbling around the cutter and bits of rock dropping down.

More likely so that the TBM exits in a controlled manner without causing unwanted damage to the exit portal.

Almost certainly, the portal will have already built with weak concrete ring that will be broken through. it's also common to drill ring of holes around edge of cut, so acts like perforations. The portal will be anchored into the ground as aim to is break through, not push portal forward. They might have already drilled a small probe drill hole to check alignment.

 

[Benjwri]

Was meant to be a photo op at the breakthrough of a tunnel with the rail minister today, however it was postponed. Presumably this was for Florence.

Building only HS2 Phase 1 is “very poor value for money” with lots of detail unexplained, says the Public Accounts Committee today. I’m assured by HS2 it is a coincidence that a photo opp with the Rail Minister to see a tunnelling “breakthrough” moment today has been postponed.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

HS2 Ltd has an item on its Old Oak Common page dated November 23 to the effect that the Northolt East TBMs would launch in January - starting on Jan 2 in fact.
Clearly they didn't launch on that date, and we are now more than 5 weeks in from that date.
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/nte-tbm-launch-january-2024/

In January 2024 we will be launching our Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) from the Victoria Road Crossover Box site in Old Oak and Park Royal.
These TBMs will bore towards the Greenpark Way Vent Shaft in Greenford.

 

[takno]

HS2 Ltd has an item on its Old Oak Common page dated November 23 to the effect that the Northolt East TBMs would launch in January - starting on Jan 2 in fact.
Clearly they didn't launch on that date, and we are now more than 5 weeks in from that date.
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/nte-tbm-launch-january-2024/

It says 2nd Jan 2023, so it's probably just completely wrong

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Some more Chiltern progress to report.
Florence has advanced another 32m in the last week, and on February 12 was at 16004m, having passed the 16km/10 mile mark, and is 56m from the portal.
Cecilia is at 15595m, +118m in the last 6 days and with 495m to go.

HS2 Ltd posted an intermediate update for February 9 in the Northolt West tunnel, only 3 days after the previous one.
Shushila was at 3857m, an unlikely +122m progress in those 3 days, and Caroline was at 3427m (+86m).

Interactive route map

Use HS2’s interactive map to explore the entire route of Britain’s new high-speed railway. Find present and upcoming works, tunnels, station locations and community updates — all in one easy-to-navigate map.

www.hs2.org.uk

 

[cuemaster]

Some more Chiltern progress to report.
Florence has advanced another 32m in the last week, and on February 12 was at 16004m, having passed the 16km/10 mile mark, and is 56m from the portal.
Cecilia is at 15595m, +118m in the last 6 days and with 495m to go.

HS2 Ltd posted an intermediate update for February 9 in the Northolt West tunnel, only 3 days after the previous one.
Shushila was at 3857m, an unlikely +122m progress in those 3 days, and Caroline was at 3427m (+86m).

Interactive route map

Use HS2’s interactive map to explore the entire route of Britain’s new high-speed railway. Find present and upcoming works, tunnels, station locations and community updates — all in one easy-to-navigate map.

www.hs2.org.uk

Great news regarding the Chiltern tunnel progresss... so close. Possibly next week for the breakthough, i think Long Itchington wood was about 3 weeks of 'waiting' before the politicians returned for the photoshoot. Being the most significant milestone on the project so far.. will MH be there or dare we dream RS?

i did read of another sinkhole developing, probably where the second chiltern tbm is located but there was little detail.Hopefully this is the lasst we here of these now that both TBM's are clsoe to completion.

 

[Snow1964]

New You Tube of Chiltern tunnel ventilation shaft headhouse, looks to me like it will be disguised to look like a farm building barn

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I'm guessing that's the Chalfont St Peter shaft, the first one north of the south portal?
It'll need to be distressed somewhat to resemble farm buildings.

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm guessing that's the Chalfont St Peter shaft, the first one north of the south portal?
It'll need to be distressed somewhat to resemble farm buildings.

Yes, it looks exactly like the drawing on its dedicated web page here:

Chalfont St Peter Headhouse

www.hs2.org.uk

…although the design of the Missenden headhouse is very similar:

Little Missenden Headhouse - HS2

www.hs2.org.uk

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Florence has posted another 20m of progress in the 7 days to Feb 19 in its Chiltern drive, to 16024m, leaving only 36m to the portal.
So you'd thing two more weeks would do it.
Cecilia continues to move steadily at 15743m (+148m or 21m/day) and has 317m left.

Two sinkholes have appeared on the line of route:

HS2 Chiltern Tunnel sinkholes appear in Buckinghamshire

The craters are discovered on private land, within months of two others being found nearby.

www.bbc.co.uk

The smaller of the two holes was found next to Frith Hill during routine monitoring on 7 February, with a larger feature found in the same field five days later, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
There was no public right of way across the affected land, HS2 Ltd said.

 

[Benjwri]

Florence has posted another 20m of progress in the 7 days to Feb 19 in its Chiltern drive, to 16024m, leaving only 36m to the portal.
So you'd thing two more weeks would do it.
Cecilia continues to move steadily at 15743m (+148m or 21m/day) and has 317m left.

Florence is really just being kept ticking along waiting for someone important in the DfT to be free. As I mentioned above the rail minister was meant to attend a HS2 tunneling breakthrough on the 7th, but it was postponed for an unspecified reason (Bad HS2 value for money news broke that morning). This was very likely a breakthrough for Florence.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Florence is really just being kept ticking along waiting for someone important in the DfT to be free. As I mentioned above the rail minister was meant to attend a HS2 tunneling breakthrough on the 7th, but it was postponed for an unspecified reason (Bad HS2 value for money news broke that morning). This was very likely a breakthrough for Florence.

It's possible the new sinkholes near Frith Hill have slowed Florence's progress to the portal, though the location is rather vague from the media reports.
If you zoom in on the HS2 location map it shows the two TBMs straddling one arm of Frith Hill road (there are two places where it crosses over the HS2 route).

Interactive route map

Use HS2’s interactive map to explore the entire route of Britain’s new high-speed railway. Find present and upcoming works, tunnels, station locations and community updates — all in one easy-to-navigate map.

www.hs2.org.uk

Today (for Feb 20, since Feb 9) the Northolt West TBMs have been updated:
Shushila is at 3954m (+97m), and Caroline is at 3487m (+60m).
These are very modest increases of 5m-9m/day.
Shushila is now past the half-way mark towards the end of its drive at Greenford Way.