HS2 TBM Progress

[Bald Rick]

The plan for HS1 - HS2 was to piggyback off the provision for a spur just west of where HS1 leaves the tunnel at Kings Cross.

Don't think it was designed for high speed, just linking the two routes just outside the termini. See link for the route plan (on 4 sheets). The HS2 junctions would be in underground (step plate style) junctions.

HS2 plan and profile maps: HS1 - HS2 link

These are the plan and profile maps for Phase One of HS2 between London and the West Midlands.

www.gov.uk

For those that don’t know, the proposal was to take over the existing westbound track of the North London Line between the link to HS1 and Primrose Hill station. The North London Line services would be diverted onto reinstated tracks to the north around Camden Road station, but (and as “buts” go its a biggy) between Camden Junction and the WCML it would take the existing line. The impact on freight and the London Overground services would have been considerable.

 

[mr_jrt]

There were many aspects of that proposal that were, being kind, suboptimal. The NLL impact being probably the worst part. It was clear nobody in the project really wanted to do it, and it felt largely a box-ticking exercise, with the added benefit of being something that could easily be sacrificed when the inevitable calls for savings came.

Such a shame the Stratford box wasn't built with provision for a future third tunnel in the middle, then the link tunnel could have continued all the way, avoiding the worst (IMHO) problems. Obviously, how could they have known when building HS1 (hindsight is always 20:20), but you have to think what the obvious thing any future line penetrating into the UK proper would do, given the change from the original plan of Kings Cross International (and the very different route that would have had). In that context, once Stratford was settled on, an eventual parallel in the north west at OOC was inevitable, really, and could perhaps have been provisioned for with minor alterations to the design of Stratford International's western side.

Alas, we have what we have.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Northolt East TBMs were updated yesterday (Oct 7, 7 days from Sep 30):
Emily is at 2222m (+85m), Anne at 1853m (+85m).
So both moving steadily at 12m/day.
Another week of this would put Emily under the Hanger Lane gyratory and TfL station.
It's about 750m further to the intermediate vent shaft at Westgate.

 

[Snow1964]

New HS2 video, being released 3pm Sunday 13th Oct

Chiltern tunnels 6 months on
Should have last 2 cross passages finished by Christmas

The extensions being built as side walls and a former used for the arch, will be partly covered, they are to do with pressure and to avoid sonic booms from airflow, once one end is done, will move formers to other end and build similar there

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Another update from Northolt East after only 4 days (Oct 7-11).
Emily is at 2335m (+113m), Anne at 1951m (+98m).
This represents very good progress rates (25m/day), and puts Emily squarely under the TfL Central Line station at Hanger Lane.

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 Oct 15:
And an update from Bromford today (14 days from Oct 1):
Mary Ann is at 3648m (+118m), Elizabeth at 1770m (+134m).
Steady progress (8-10m/day).

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Northolt TBMs were updated on October 21.

At Northolt West (21 days from Sep 30):
Shushila is at 7383m (+444m), Caroline at 5841m (+0m).
Shushila has moved quickly at 21m/day and is now only 457m from its finish line at Greenford Way.
It might get there by the end of November at this rate.
Caroline is still stopped, which has now lasted 10 weeks.

At Northolt East (10 days from Oct 11):
Emily is at 2481m (+146m), Anne at 2037m (+86m).
Emily is now past the western side of the Hanger Lane gyratory and the LU station.

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: Oct 29:

Northolt East was updated again on Oct 28 (7 days from Oct 21):
Emily is now at 2613m (+132m), Anne at 2173m (+136m).
Both these represent good progress around 19m/day.
Emily now has about 330m to go to reach the half-way Westgate shaft.

Bromford was also updated for Oct 29 (14 days from Oct 15):
Mary Ann is at 3796m (+148m), Elizabeth at 1946m (+176m).
Steady progress around 11-12m/day.

 

[Snow1964]

Slightly off topic video, but crane company Emerson has produced a video of dismantling of the Goliath crane used for segments at South portal of Chilterns.

All part of the deconstruction / removal of the temporary construction equipment and sites where TBMs have finished

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The usual weekly update from Northolt East was posted today (7 days from Oct 28):
Emily is at 2707m (+94m), Anne at 2293m (+122m).
So steady progress by both TBMs of 13-17m/day.
Emily is closing in on the Westgate vent shaft just short of the River Brent crossing.

There's been no reaction so far from HS2 Ltd about the go-ahead for the Euston tunnels announced in the Budget speech.
Presumably the two Euston TBMs will start up once a couple of the Northolt TBMs have finished their drives.

 

[TheHSRailFan]

Presumably the two Euston TBMs will start up once a couple of the Northolt TBMs have finished their drives.

Confirmed in the Old Oak Common thread and the latest HS2 OOC update video that the first TBM is being lowered and assembled. The end of the box will be handed over to the TBM team later this month.

 

[absolutelymilk]

The end of the box will be handed over to the TBM team later this month.

Roughly when Shushila might finish so could be good timing for the crew to start moving over!

 

[hwl]

Roughly when Shushila might finish so could be good timing for the crew to start moving over!

The tunnelling east of OOC isn't due to start till after Easter.
Shusila might finish this month is high rates of progress are maintained.
Given Caroline hasn't moved in over 3 months, it is possible that only 3 of the 4 TBMs are staffed hence the staff might move from Shusila to Caroline (which would then complete before tunnelling east of OOC is due to start and suitably space the arrival to TBMs at the mid-point)

 

[Geogregor]

The tunnelling east of OOC isn't due to start till after Easter.
Shusila might finish this month is high rates of progress are maintained.
Given Caroline hasn't moved in over 3 months, it is possible that only 3 of the 4 TBMs are staffed hence the staff might move from Shusila to Caroline (which would then complete before tunnelling east of OOC is due to start and suitably space the arrival to TBMs at the mid-point)

I don't think Caroline not moving has anything to do with staff availability.

 

[Snow1964]

I don't think Caroline not moving has anything to do with staff availability.

There is a separate notification of building cross passage 21, near Mandeville Road, Northolt (cross passage until few days before Christmas).

The associated map (on the link) shows location of TBM Caroline

Cross passage construction near Mandeville Road, Northolt

From 18 November to 20 December 2024, we will be constructing cross passage 21 near Mandeville Road, Northolt. During this time there will be a periods of noisy works. To avoid overnight disturbance, we have agreed with the local authority to limit noisy activities Monday to Friday between 7am...

www.hs2.org.uk

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I don't think Caroline not moving has anything to do with staff availability.

Caroline has started up again this week, after something like a 10-week stoppage.
For Northolt West, 16 days Oct 21-Nov 6:
Shushilia is at 7387m (+4m), and Caroline 5922m (+81m).
So it seems to be Shushila's turn to have a break.

Edit Nov 12:
The Northolt East and Bromford TBMs were updated today:
Northolt East (7 days Nov 4-11):
Emily 2844m(+137m), Anne 2442m (+147m).
So very good progress around 20m/day.
Emily appears to be only 100m or so from the Westgate vent shaft, its half-way point.
Anne is now below the middle of the Hanger Lane gyratory.

Bromford (14 days Oct 29-Nov 12):
Mary Ann is at 3900m (+104m), Elizabeth at 2115m (+170m)
Rather more modest progress, 7m and 12m/day respectively.

Edit Nov 14:
The Northolt West TBMs were updated today (8 days from Nov 6):
Shushila is at 7915m (+628m), Caroline at 5996m (+74m).

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

I'm not sure I believe the number posted for Shushila, as it represents 66m/day which is about triple the best rate of any previous progress report.
If true, it has only 85m to go before it reaches Greenford Way.

 

[mythnormadman]

Caroline has started up again this week, after something like a 10-week stoppage.
For Northolt West, 16 days Oct 21-Nov 6:
Shushilia is at 7387m (+4m), and Caroline 5922m (+81m).
So it seems to be Shushila's turn to have a break.

Edit Nov 12:
The Northolt East and Bromford TBMs were updated today:
Northolt East (7 days Nov 4-11):
Emily 2844m(+137m), Anne 2442m (+147m).
So very good progress around 20m/day.
Emily appears to be only 100m or so from the Westgate vent shaft, its half-way point.
Anne is now below the middle of the Hanger Lane gyratory.

Bromford (14 days Oct 29-Nov 12):
Mary Ann is at 3900m (+104m), Elizabeth at 2115m (+170m)
Rather more modest progress, 7m and 12m/day respectively.

Edit Nov 14:
The Northolt West TBMs were updated today (8 days from Nov 6):
Shushila is at 7915m (+628m), Caroline at 5996m (+74m).

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

I'm not sure I believe the number posted for Shushila, as it represents 66m/day which is about triple the best rate of any previous progress report.
If true, it has only 85m to go before it reaches Greenford Way.

Interestingly the shushila tunnel has grown in length from 7.84 km to 8 km since the last update (done + remain). Caroline still has a length of 7.84.
I concur with your scepticism.

 

[hwl]

Edit Nov 14:
The Northolt West TBMs were updated today (8 days from Nov 6):
Shushila is at 7915m (+628m), Caroline at 5996m (+74m).

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

I'm not sure I believe the number posted for Shushila, as it represents 66m/day which is about triple the best rate of any previous progress report.
If true, it has only 85m to go before it reaches Greenford Way.

62 or 68m would be more likely than the impossible 628m...

Potential fat finger on raw distance is most likely e.g. 7519m instead of 7915m (which is longer than the relevant bit of tunnel!) and would result in 135m in 8 days, a more normal 16.6m/day

 

[Snow1964]

Interestingly the shushila tunnel has grown in length from 7.84 km to 8 km since the last update (done + remain). Caroline still has a length of 7.84.
I concur with your scepticism.

Some of the tunnels seem to have long portals that are constructed as cut and cover. Could it be that lower length is TBM bored part, and higher figure the tunnel length from portal

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The weekly update for Northolt East is in (7 days Nov 11-18):
Emily is at 2911m (+66m), Anne at 2576m (+134m).

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

This puts Emily adjacent to the intermediate Westgate vent shaft.
Anne is catching up, making good progress at 19m/day.

Edit Nov 25:
Emily at Northolt East is now reported at 2988m (+77m in the last week), close to the Westgate vent shaft.
No update yet from Anne.

Edit Nov 26:
Three more TBMs were updated today for Nov 25:
At Northolt East (7 days from Nov 18), Anne is at 2729m (+144m), and is continuing to gain on Emily which is just 259m or about 2 weeks ahead.
At Bromford (13 days since Nov 12), Mary Ann is at 4052m (+152m) and Elizabeth is at 2268m (also +152m).
Steady rates of 11m/day, with Mary Ann now past the 4km mark of its 5.6km drive.

 

[Snow1964]

The weekly update for Northolt East is in (7 days Nov 11-18):
Emily is at 2911m (+66m), Anne at 2576m (+134m).

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

This puts Emily adjacent to the intermediate Westgate vent shaft.
Anne is catching up, making good progress at 19m/day.

Roughly half the Northolt East tunnels are now dug (they are 5.58km)

 

[mythnormadman]

I contacted HS2 about the Shushila distances and here is there response:
TBM Sushila total tunnel drive length is 8,043m.
On 21st October TBM Sushila had completed 7,439m of tunnel.
On 6th November TBM Sushila had completed 7,804m of tunnel.
On 14th November TBM Sushila had completed 7,918m of tunnel.

That doesn't tally with the data they recorded in the "in your area map" and 8043 - 7918 is not 85m!

 

[zwk500]

I contacted HS2 about the Shushila distances and here is there response:
TBM Sushila total tunnel drive length is 8,043m.
On 21st October TBM Sushila had completed 7,439m of tunnel.
On 6th November TBM Sushila had completed 7,804m of tunnel.
On 14th November TBM Sushila had completed 7,918m of tunnel.

That doesn't tally with the data they recorded in the "in your area map" and 8043 - 7918 is not 85m!

8043-7918 is 125m, so there's 40m difference. Did they take a couple of days to respond?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The new figures for the three dates are at least more believable than the sudden jump last week.
They represent a rate of about 21m/day over 6 weeks or so.
I originally had a figure of 7840m as the length of the Northolt West tunnels, but the HS2 figure is now 8043m.
It's difficult to know how much care HS2 puts into updating its web site.
Either way Shushila must be close to breakthrough into the Greenford Way shaft, when we would expect some triumphant PR.

 

[mythnormadman]

8043-7918 is 125m, so there's 40m difference. Did they take a couple of days to respond?

I emailed them yesterday and they responded at 04:59 this morning!

 

[absolutelymilk]

If it keeps going at around 20m per day, it could be breaking through on Thursday or Friday!

 

[absolutelymilk]

The weekly update for Northolt East is in (7 days Nov 11-18):
Emily is at 2911m (+66m), Anne at 2576m (+134m).

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

This puts Emily adjacent to the intermediate Westgate vent shaft.
Anne is catching up, making good progress at 19m/day.

Edit Nov 25:
Emily at Northolt East is now reported at 2988m (+77m in the last week), close to the Westgate vent shaft.
No update yet from Anne.

Edit Nov 26:
Three more TBMs were updated today for Nov 25:
At Northolt East (7 days from Nov 18), Anne is at 2729m (+144m), and is continuing to gain on Emily which is just 259m or about 2 weeks ahead.
At Bromford (13 days since Nov 12), Mary Ann is at 4052m (+152m) and Elizabeth is at 2268m (also +152m).
Steady rates of 11m/day, with Mary Ann now past the 4km mark of its 5.6km drive.

Great that no TBM has more than a year's worth of tunnelling (3650m at 10m/day) to go

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

New update for Northolt West on Nov 27 (13 days from Nov 14):
Shushila is at 7956m (+41m), Caroline at 6225m (+229m).
Shushila has slowed considerably and is posted as having 44m to go to completion - another week, possibly.
Caroline is moving well at 18m/day, and has at least 3 months work left.

 

[hwl]

New update for Northolt West on Nov 27 (13 days from Nov 14):
Shushila is at 7956m (+41m), Caroline at 6225m (+229m).
Shushila has slowed considerably and is posted as having 44m to go to completion - another week, possibly.
Caroline is moving well at 18m/day, and has at least 3 months work left.

As would be expected from West 1 - West 2 - East 1 - East 2 staged arrival at Greenford sensibly spaced for dismantling

Edit to add:
The last bit before break though is always stop Start and comparatively slow but I'd expect they want to be done before Christmas.

Again we are never seeing all 4 at max rates at the same time which might indicate that all four aren't fully staffed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

As would be expected from West 1 - West 2 - East 1 - East 2 staged arrival at Greenford sensibly spaced for dismantling

Makes sense when you put it that way. Thanks.

 

[Snow1964]

HS2 press release on Euston TBMs

Engineers have begun assembling two giant tunnelling machines that will dig the final 4.5 miles of underground high-speed railway – carrying HS2 trains into the heart of London.

Weighing an incredible 1,250 tonnes, each of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will launch from an underground box at one end of the project’s Old Oak Common station. They are expected to take around one and a half years to reach the railway’s final southern terminus at London Euston.

As well as taking passengers closer to central London, the extension to Euston will create additional capacity on the new high-speed line, allowing more services to run to more destinations across the Midlands and the North.

Arrival of the line into Euston is also expected to trigger a transport-led regeneration of the area – unlocking opportunities for thousands of new homes and jobs.

In keeping with tradition, the TBMs have been given female names after prominent women in history. One machine is called Karen after Karen Harrison, the first female train driver in the UK who was based out of Old Oak Common depot. The second is named Madeleine, after Madeleine Nobbs, the former president of the Women’s Engineering Society.

The unveiling of the TBMs – the final set to be launched for the railway between London and the West Midlands – marks another significant milestone for HS2.

HS2 reveals giant tunnelling machines ready for 4.5-mile drive to Euston

Green light for HS2 tunnel between Old Oak Common and London Euston given in the Budget Unveiling of two giant tunnelling machines on the day that Mark Wild takes up new role of HS2 Ltd CEO Images of the tunnelling machines – named Karen and Madeleine after prominent figures in rail and...

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

 

[Tobberz]

One wonders how much of the actual station construction can take place in the 18-24 months before the TBMs turn up. You'd think they could do quite a lot in that time whilst leaving room to dismantle the TBMs upon their arrival.