HS2 Thread Compilation

[GRALISTAIR]

There are so many HS2 Threads that for my own sanity I have compiled a compilation here.

HS2 Euston

HS2 Euston

Some details of station piling have been released, and 4 test piles done which are being monitored Early piling work for the Euston station is expected start in Q1 of this year. This programme of approximately 500 piles will take around two years to complete, followed by another three years of...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 TBM Progress

HS2 TBM Progress

Continuing from the former generic HS2 construction thread: HS2 Ltd continues its rather erratic updates on the progress of its 5 TBMs, issued today (Dec 12) for December 9 (except that the Chiltern report is for December 6, almost a week ago). The Chiltern TBMs were at 7784m/7551m, continuing...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct Construction thread

HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct construction updates

I think these are new pictures. The scale of this viaduct is amazing. https://twitter.com/HS2ltd/status/1609157555061755904?s=20

www.railforums.co.uk

More delay for HS2

More Delay for HS2, and how should we proceed?

It may only be in the Sun, reported by the BBC, but pressure is mounting to cap spend on HS2 because of high cost inflation. Delay to the Euston section or to the whole project, is in the air, to keep within present annual budgets. I'm not sure I believe the possibility of axing the Euston...

www.railforums.co.uk

People mover to connect HS2-Birmingham interchange-Airport

New people mover train to connect the new HS2 station at Birmingham Interchange with the airport terminal.

I understand that once HS2 opens some sort of transit train people mover will be built to link the Airport with Birmingham Interchange station. However there seems to be very little information on what exactly this will be. Will it simply be an extension of the current cable hauled people mover...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Progress at Long Itchington

HS2 - Progress at Long Itchington

A pretty impressive flyover of the route heading north and over the Long Itchington tunnel Some serious earthworks have been completed

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 construction updates Copthall Tunnel

HS2 Construction Updates - Copthall Tunnel

Found a new video on youtube of a flyover of Copthall tunnel - a 550m cut and cover tunnel located between West Ruislip tunnel portal and the Colne Valley viaduct. Some additional drawings/maps in the following document...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Viaducts progress

HS2 viaducts progress.

Looks like some more HS2 viaducts are having segments built, according to Twitter. Viaduct deck sections starting to be produced for the Birmingham end of a certain high-speed rail line (pics from an informed source)...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Construction updates Birmingham area

HS2 Construction Updates - Birmingham Area

I see the main HS2 thread was closed, there's a lot of work going on in the Birmingham area so might be worth having a thread to track updates. The first viaduct pier for the approaches to Curzon has been cast, looks to be at least one or two more in-progress...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Progress near Kenilworth

HS2 Progress near Kenilworth

The main HS2 thread has been closed and apparently we’re to post individual site updates now, so here’s a couple of drone flyovers from near Kenilworth uploaded today. Really shows that earthworks are coming along well. Also, one of the first proper looks at the ‘Green Tunnel’ portal design in...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Old Oak Common

HS2 Old Oak Common

I had been expecting to see this in the HS2 Construction thread but it has been closed and I can't find another thread that is suitable. https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hs2-contractors-make-progress-on-station-box-piling-and-utilities-at-old-oak-common-16-12-2022/ HS2 contractors...

www.railforums.co.uk

Euston terminus maybe delayed or cancelled

Reports that HS2 Euston terminus may be delayed/cancelled

HS2 shambles as it’s revealed £60billion high speed rail project may not go to central LONDON HS2 bosses are weighing up a scaling back of the project — including delaying its Euston terminus to 2038 or scrapping it altogether. Last week, the Department for Transport warned of “tough...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 official update January 2023

HS2 Project Update, January 2023

The HS2 team have posted another update for January 2023. They talk about apprenticeships and bridges that have started to take shape. They're planning to go diesel-free by 2029 which is interesting... because don't they plan to finish construction for phase 1 around 2029?

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Construction Chipping Warden and Greatworth Green Tunnels

HS2 Construction Updates - Chipping Warden / Greatworth Green Tunnels

There are two green tunnels planned , about 1.5 miles each, located south of Long Itchington and north-west of Banbury. Greatworth green tunnel is funnily enough close to Greatworth village, and appears to run under the B4525, the base of the tunnel appears to have been started north of the...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2- East West Rail bridge

HS2 East West Rail Bridge

https://twitter.com/HS2ltd/status/1628711274270887936 Made of weathering steel, the 34m East West Rail bridge is designed to naturally age over time to a dark brown colour to help match the tone of the surrounding countryside. It was lifted into position with a 600-tonne crawler crane. New...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2b Eastern Leg de-prioritised

Future of HS2 2b (Eastern Leg deprioritised)

The government have published a Command Paper this morning which has raised some eyebrows: The Government has accepted the recommendation in the report by Doug Oakervee that plans for HS2 and other major schemes need to be brought together in an Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[zwk500]

Many thanks! I had been losing track myself. I've asked the mods to make it sticky, hopefully people alert you to later threads (as there will surely be) to include later.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Many thanks! I had been losing track myself. I've asked the mods to make it sticky, hopefully people alert you to later threads (as there will surely be) to include later.

Don't worry, I will keep track and update as needed.

 

[Yindee8191]

There are so many HS2 Threads that for my own sanity I have compiled a compilation here.

HS2 Euston

HS2 Euston

Some details of station piling have been released, and 4 test piles done which are being monitored Early piling work for the Euston station is expected start in Q1 of this year. This programme of approximately 500 piles will take around two years to complete, followed by another three years of...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 TBM Progress

HS2 TBM Progress

Continuing from the former generic HS2 construction thread: HS2 Ltd continues its rather erratic updates on the progress of its 5 TBMs, issued today (Dec 12) for December 9 (except that the Chiltern report is for December 6, almost a week ago). The Chiltern TBMs were at 7784m/7551m, continuing...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct Construction thread

HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct construction updates

I think these are new pictures. The scale of this viaduct is amazing. https://twitter.com/HS2ltd/status/1609157555061755904?s=20

www.railforums.co.uk

More delay for HS2

More Delay for HS2, and how should we proceed?

It may only be in the Sun, reported by the BBC, but pressure is mounting to cap spend on HS2 because of high cost inflation. Delay to the Euston section or to the whole project, is in the air, to keep within present annual budgets. I'm not sure I believe the possibility of axing the Euston...

www.railforums.co.uk

People mover to connect HS2-Birmingham interchange-Airport

New people mover train to connect the new HS2 station at Birmingham Interchange with the airport terminal.

I understand that once HS2 opens some sort of transit train people mover will be built to link the Airport with Birmingham Interchange station. However there seems to be very little information on what exactly this will be. Will it simply be an extension of the current cable hauled people mover...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Progress at Long Itchington

HS2 - Progress at Long Itchington

A pretty impressive flyover of the route heading north and over the Long Itchington tunnel Some serious earthworks have been completed

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 construction updates Copthall Tunnel

HS2 Construction Updates - Copthall Tunnel

Found a new video on youtube of a flyover of Copthall tunnel - a 550m cut and cover tunnel located between West Ruislip tunnel portal and the Colne Valley viaduct. Some additional drawings/maps in the following document...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Viaducts progress

HS2 viaducts progress.

Looks like some more HS2 viaducts are having segments built, according to Twitter. Viaduct deck sections starting to be produced for the Birmingham end of a certain high-speed rail line (pics from an informed source)...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Construction updates Birmingham area

HS2 Construction Updates - Birmingham Area

I see the main HS2 thread was closed, there's a lot of work going on in the Birmingham area so might be worth having a thread to track updates. The first viaduct pier for the approaches to Curzon has been cast, looks to be at least one or two more in-progress...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Progress near Kenilworth

HS2 Progress near Kenilworth

The main HS2 thread has been closed and apparently we’re to post individual site updates now, so here’s a couple of drone flyovers from near Kenilworth uploaded today. Really shows that earthworks are coming along well. Also, one of the first proper looks at the ‘Green Tunnel’ portal design in...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 Old Oak Common

HS2 Old Oak Common

I had been expecting to see this in the HS2 Construction thread but it has been closed and I can't find another thread that is suitable. https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hs2-contractors-make-progress-on-station-box-piling-and-utilities-at-old-oak-common-16-12-2022/ HS2 contractors...

www.railforums.co.uk

Euston terminus maybe delayed or cancelled

Reports that HS2 Euston terminus may be delayed/cancelled

HS2 shambles as it’s revealed £60billion high speed rail project may not go to central LONDON HS2 bosses are weighing up a scaling back of the project — including delaying its Euston terminus to 2038 or scrapping it altogether. Last week, the Department for Transport warned of “tough...

www.railforums.co.uk

HS2 official update January 2023

HS2 Project Update, January 2023

The HS2 team have posted another update for January 2023. They talk about apprenticeships and bridges that have started to take shape. They're planning to go diesel-free by 2029 which is interesting... because don't they plan to finish construction for phase 1 around 2029?

www.railforums.co.uk

Thank you!! I wonder if it’s time for a new HS2 megathread just for neatness?

 

[Fazaar1889]

Thank you!! I wonder if it’s time for a new HS2 megathread just for neatness?

I hope we can go back to that. It was nice. Let's hope that we stay on track this time, cos I believe the last one was removed because it wasn't on topic enough

 

[Yindee8191]

I hope we can go back to that. It was nice. Let's hope that we stay on track this time, cos I believe the last one was removed because it wasn't on topic enough

Yeah, that was the reason. I did think at the time that a warning would have sufficed, and that the result has just been that updates on HS2 are harder to find.

 

[Hophead]

Perhaps a whole HS2 forum? With the threads listed above moved in?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Perhaps a whole HS2 forum? With the threads listed above moved in?

The trouble with that is that discussion will soon be pivoting to HS2 services running through onto NR metals (essentially becoming the new WCML).
Not to mention the shared HS2/NR station at Old Oak Common and the new journey opportunities that generates.
Assuming it keeps the West Coast Partnership contract, Avanti is also due to be the first operator on HS2.
Very few rail topics can be constrained in one silo.

 

[zwk500]

An insfrastructure subforum may just about be able to stay on topic but I agree any service discussion will quickly cross over.

One request I might make of @GRALISTAIR - Is it possible to group the threads a bit? Maybe Stations, Services, Lineside Construction, Project delays or something?
The Current order is on the left, my suggestion on the right:

HS2 Euston HS2 TBM Progress HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct Construction thread More delay for HS2 People mover to connect HS2-Birmingham interchange-Airport HS2 Progress at Long Itchington HS2 construction updates Copthall Tunnel HS2 Viaducts progress HS2 Construction updates Birmingham area HS2 Progress near Kenilworth HS2 Old Oak Common Euston terminus maybe delayed or cancelled HS2 official update January 2023

STATIONS HS2 Euston HS2 Old Oak Common People Move to connect HS2-Birmingham Interchange-Airport INFRASTRUCTURE HS2 TBM Progress HS2 Viaducts Progress HS2 construction updates Copthall Tunnel HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct Construction Thread HS2 Progress at Long Itchington HS2 Progress near Kenilworth HS2 Construction Updates Birmingham Area PROJECT DELAYS/Updates More Delay for HS2 Euston Terminus maybe delayed or cancelled HS2 Official Update January 2023.

 

[dosxuk]

If COVID could get a temporary sub forum, surely so could the largest rail construction project for decades? It's got a natural end date for closing when the line opens, and calling it HS2 Construction would quickly make operational service discussion off topic, and there's not likely to be that much of that until after it's open.

 

[snowball]

There was a dedicated HS2 subforum several years ago but it was abolished.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

An insfrastructure subforum may just about be able to stay on topic but I agree any service discussion will quickly cross over.

One request I might make of @GRALISTAIR - Is it possible to group the threads a bit? Maybe Stations, Services, Lineside Construction, Project delays or something?
The Current order is on the left, my suggestion on the right:

HS2 Euston HS2 TBM Progress HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct Construction thread More delay for HS2 People mover to connect HS2-Birmingham interchange-Airport HS2 Progress at Long Itchington HS2 construction updates Copthall Tunnel HS2 Viaducts progress HS2 Construction updates Birmingham area HS2 Progress near Kenilworth HS2 Old Oak Common Euston terminus maybe delayed or cancelled HS2 official update January 2023

STATIONS HS2 Euston HS2 Old Oak Common People Move to connect HS2-Birmingham Interchange-Airport INFRASTRUCTURE HS2 TBM Progress HS2 Viaducts Progress HS2 construction updates Copthall Tunnel HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct Construction Thread HS2 Progress at Long Itchington HS2 Progress near Kenilworth HS2 Construction Updates Birmingham Area PROJECT DELAYS/Updates More Delay for HS2 Euston Terminus maybe delayed or cancelled HS2 Official Update January 2023.

Great idea. I will take care of in the next 24 hours or so. Important customers/visitors today.

 

[Fazaar1889]

Great idea. I will take care of in the next 24 hours or so. Important customers/visitors today.

What if it was under a "high-speed rail in the UK" banner? Because of HS3 and potentially more lines far in the future?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

My policy on this and other forums of any nature is never to discuss/debate what moderators do or do not do. I trust them.

 

[zwk500]

What if it was under a "high-speed rail in the UK" banner? Because of HS3 and potentially more lines far in the future?

I think that as any further HS developments in the UK are very firmly in the Speculative section rather than firm news/progress, it would be best to keep this HS2-specific for now.

 

[Fazaar1889]

I think that as any further HS developments in the UK are very firmly in the Speculative section rather than firm news/progress, it would be best to keep this HS2-specific for now.

fair enough

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I think that as any further HS developments in the UK are very firmly in the Speculative section rather than firm news/progress, it would be best to keep this HS2-specific for now.

Agreed

 

[Snow1964]

Now we have lots of separate HS2 threads, not sure where to put this.
Contracts for switches and crossings and expansion joints on viaducts have been let, covers phase 1 & 2A

UK’s voestalpine wins £210m order for HS2 track switches, crossings

voestalpine Turnout Technology UK has received a nearly £210m contract from HS2 for the delivery of track switches and crossings.

www.railway-technology.com

Diverging speeds upto 230km/h (137mph)

Under the contract, the company will offer track switches and crossings for Phase One and 2a of the UK’s new high-speed railway project.

The firm will be responsible for designing, manufacturing and supplying about 180 switches and crossings that will be deployed between London and the connection with the west coast mainline at Crewe.


According to the company, the initial period of the technical support contract is 20 years.

Claimed to be a vital and specialist part of the HS2 track systems, these switches and crossings can safely operate at speeds of up to 360km/h and diverging speeds of up to 230km/h.

Furthermore, the company will deliver around 77 rail expansion devices for the track on viaducts and bridges.

It will also supply around 70 lower-speed switches and crossings for the depots at Washwood Heath and Calvert.

These switches and crossings will be beset onto concrete slabs instead of the ballast to lower loan costs and enhance performance.


HS2 procurement and supply chain director Andrew Cubitt said: “Switches and crossings play a vital role in the high-speed rail systems that will underpin the whole HS2 project.

“The switches, crossings and rail expansion devices will be fitted with state-of-the-art monitoring systems for a safe and easy-to-maintain operational railway.

“voestalpine has a strong track record delivering complex and specialist railway equipment to railways across the world and I look forward to welcoming them to the team.”

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I put a similar post in the "More Delay for HS2" thread yesterday.
There's probably a case for an "HS2 Railway Contracts" (ie track, signalling) thread as there are more to come and they will last up to a decade.
They are also likely to dominate discussion as civils complete and opening approaches.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

HS2 spare capacity

Now we are certain that HS2 isn't going to be what it was to be - at least within the next 15 if not 20 years.. a) the total number of services will lower on the core than it is still to be built for. b) Curzon St is also being built for the original number of services. c) Extra journey times...

www.railforums.co.uk

How to make the most of HS2 if only the Old Oak Common to Curzon Street part is built.

The news stories now being put out seem to suggest that the only part of HS2 which will be built is from Old Oak Common to Curzon Street, with no station at Euston, and no connection to the WCML to go further North. If this happens, how could its usefulness be maximised? I guess trains could...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Chiltern Tunnels Construction update

HS2 Chiltern Tunnels Construction Updates

Apologies if there is already a thread, I couldn't find it. HS2 released the final designs of the north portal of the Chiltern Tunnels https://twitter.com/HS2ltd/status/1638503275983958016?t=IVVHQEB_ichlLgKVIt7csQ&s=19 We have revealed the final designs for the North Portal of the Chiltern...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Snow1964]

Vorstalpine (who have the contract for high speed switches) have applied to reopen Priory sidings in Hessel, Hull

Priory Sidings in Hessle date back to the mid-1800s, but from the 1960s until the site’s closure in 1987 were used as a Freightliner intermodal container terminal.
Network Rail still own the land, which is used for materials storage and maintenance access, and have agreed to grant a lease to Voestalpine Turnout Technology, who have a contract to supply rail construction projects around the UK.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/rail-engineering-firm-plans-to-re-open-hull-sidings-that-havent-been-used-since-1987-for-hs2-assembly-plant-connected-to-the-mainline-4101179

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Brackley to Great Missenden Chilterns north portal

HS2 Construction Updates -Brackley to Great Missenden / Chilterns North Portal

This is about a 30 mile stretch from the northern portal of the Chilterns tunnel past Aylesbury to Brackely, found a couple of videos on youtube of some of the area. This flyover covers about 2 miles going north of the portal towards Wendover Dean and the viaduct. This flyover covers about 5...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[waverley47]

Actually if one of the mods could pin this in infrastructure that would be amazing

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Actually if one of the mods could pin this in infrastructure that would be amazing

I agree. I already asked but they do not want too many pinned threads and so I respect their decision.

 

[D365]

@GRALISTAIR thanks for this. Have you been able to capture the latest "HS2 construction" threads?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

@GRALISTAIR thanks for this. Have you been able to capture the latest "HS2 construction" threads?

I will double check and update - no problem mentioning "what about this or that" and I will update or of course others can do. Mods prefer if there are not too many pinned threads.

 

[kevin_roche]

The link to the East-West Rail Bridge crossing thread seems to have broken. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/hs2-east-west-rail-bridge.243936/ Maybe it got merged with an East-West rail thread?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The link to the East-West Rail Bridge crossing thread seems to have broken. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/hs2-east-west-rail-bridge.243936/ Maybe it got merged with an East-West rail thread?

I will look into it.