HS2 - Chilterns Tunnels Breakthrough! | 24th March 2024

#hs2 #railway #drone
In this video we finally see both TBMs called Florence and Cecilia at the North Portal of the Chiltern Tunnels. Cecilia broke through on 20th March 2024 and both machines will now be dismantled. Florence is already some way through that process. From the North Portal we go to Wendover Dean Viaduct where some progress has been made.

[@MrLOFTYBOBBY]

You are doing a great job Karl, your videos are informative you explain everything that has changed along the route that has been worked on, there are others who just put a video and no comments. At first watching your videos you couldn't tell what was the line of the track and what is construction work roads but as time goes on a picture is immerging of the track route through all that and in future videos the route will be come even mor apparent. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK this history in the making and your videos will be part of that archive.

[@KarlVaughan]

Thanks for watching!

[@21michaelhill]

Thank you for these regular updates, I always look forward to seeing the progress on each section. Although I don't live in the area feel I am getting to know it quite well by using the map and pausing the video quite frequently to study detail. I also keep up with progress on the Colne Valley Viaduct, SIMONC, and further north the smooth videos of Michael Warner showing the area around Kenilworth.

[@KarlVaughan]

Thanks for watching. I haven't been down to the Colne Valley yet. I've seen videos of it and it looks huge compared to the viaducts near me.

[@VikLathia]

Thank you for all your hard work Karl 👍🏾

[@petee19]

Thank you Karl, much appreciate your weekly video updates.

[@simoncroft9792]

Thanks Karl, couldn’t tell the drone was struggling, looked as smooth as ever! Thanks for the maps at the beginning too, have found them myself now.

[@johncamp2567]

Impressive flying!! 👍

[@TonyAbbeyFETraining]

Another great video. I can see the wind and gusts by the flags and the speed of the cloud shadows. Well handled!

[@Jamie92208]

Thank's Karl. It's good to see how neat the landscaping round the tunnel mouth is looking but from there to the viaduct it's almost impossible to see where the trace of the actual line is

[@KarlVaughan]

It does give me hope seeing that neat and tidy embankment and yes, it's impossible to see where the trackbed will go beyond there. I imagine they will start on that fairly soon because Wendover Dean Viaduct and Bowood Lane's overbridge are at about the halfway stage.

[@victoriawakefield6747]

Thanks for the update, i always look forward to your videos.

[@DaveFiggley]

Great video, Karl. I was surprised to see Cecilia's cutting head still turning.

[@KarlVaughan]

Thanks. Same here, I only saw it when I got home and checked the video. I imagine it's still turning because they are working behind it fitting the tunnel casings. What a pity it was so windy as I would have done some closer shots. I didn't see any workers around at all so I wouldn't have been bothering anyone.

[@gomezz8531]

A massive eyesore in this green and pleasant land.

[@connorclarke2134]

I wonder if anyone within HS2 asks themselves if pushing a bridge into place is efficient? Seems like a show off to me 😂

[@davecooper3238]

HS2 is having to do many things to minimise disruption in local areas.

[@batman51]

So that's where our money is going; building enormous tunnels through non-existent hills to satisfy a bunch of nimbys with loud voices.

[@KarlVaughan]

Non-existent hills eh? You should try cycling up them and you'll quickly realise they do actually exist!

[@johntyjp]

@@KarlVaughan quite right Karl, he should try doing a paper round there, like I had to in my youth !🧐

[@philjameson292]

All this just to create a new London commuter line

[@CRIMSONANT1]

HS2 is an environmental disaster of epic proportions & Britain's biggest infrastructure mistake in half a century. The whole monstrous project has been reduced to little more than a shuttle service between west London & Birmingham & only recently has the blatant corruption by HS2 Ltd been exposed which is likely to unfold into a major scandal. Government kept in the dark regarding the genuine expenses associated with this massive white elephant. Senior management orchestrated efforts to downplay the true costs while earning vastly inflated salaries. Employees instructed to deceive about the financial position with the intention of securing continued funding worth billions. As costs began to escalate, high ranking officials resorted to extreme measures including document shredding & the dismissal of dissenting voices to shield the project from collapsing under the weight of it's financial burden. It's been a disaster since day one & a complete & utter waste of money.