A significant milestone has been reached in the HS2 build, as the huge tunnel boring machines (TBM’s), have completed the longest required 10-mile tunnel under the Chiltern hills.
Florence, yes that is a bit Magic Roundabout, a huge TBM has excavated 80m under the Chiltern hills to deliver the first of two giant tunnels, making up one of the significant infrastructure projects required to complete HS2. Cecilia, the other TBM is still going.
These TBM’s are impressive and daunting. They are 170m long and are self-contained underground factories, a team of 17 people operate the TBM, which as well as digging the tunnel adds the concreate wall segments to build the tunnel, moving along at up to 15 metres a day, 24 hours a day. HS2 state the largest HS2 TBM cutterhead is 10.26m, roughly the height of two giraffes standing on top of one another.
While there are political rows over HS2, both its intent and planning, as well as the finances, this is also about an unprecedented engineering feat so kudos to those involved.
Cultural Highlights 