HS2 Tunnels at Long Itchington Woods

In Warwickshire, HS2 are building a tunnel just to the south of Leamington Spa, underneath Long Itchington Woods. They invited us along to go and have a look inside the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) and get up close to meet the staff who work there and operate it.
CORRECTION: I state that i'm at the southern portal, but i'm actually at the northern end!
Gareth Dennis has loads more HS2 content, alongside his popular "Rail Natter" programme over on his channel, here: / garethdennistv
Sam Sedgman is a best selling author of Children's railway books, here: www.amazon.co.uk/Sam-Sedgman/...
With thanks to HS2 Ltd for use of their drone footage.

[@willum223]

Excellent glove-wearing skills, Geoff :D

[@DrRusty5]

Noticed they had out them on the wrong hands, the black grip is supposed to be on the palm.

[@DubStu]

Came straight to comments for this… 😂

[@Xoron]

@Emily Charlotte Wilke He's fixed them later in the video :D

[@cd66061]

Seriously, how can you put gloves on the wrong way? The grippy black section is clearly the palm! Geoff I can forgive slightly, although I think I’ve seen this in another video too, but the dude from the company?! It’s ppe dude, you should know how to where it if you are an employee! 😳🥸

[@DrRusty5]

@@cd66061 It perhaps should be logged as a near miss for HS2 as the effectiveness of the gloves was compromised - possible close to to point of being ineffective.

[@ramdynebix]

As a former Civil Engineering student visiting a the head of a TBM is still a life goal. Always a cool to see it.

[@delboy7039]

Geoff, the only person who can make wearing safety glasses look difficult....

[@DubStu]

And the gloves…

[@ktmgordo]

@@DubStu Glad it wasn’t just me that noticed the back to front gloves, and it wasn’t just Geoff either 🧤

[@Xoron]

@@geofftech2 Did the Comms Manager show you how to put on the gloves? He later fixed his own but left you on your own.

[@Calum_S]

@@DubStu I can't stop looking at people's hands now.

[@TalesOfWar]

@@ktmgordo I'm pretty sure he had them on the wrong way around in the last HS2 tunnel video he did haha. It's a recurring accidental gag at this point.

[@TheTimTraveller]

This is all very good Geoff but we never got an answer to the biggest question: why was Gareth wearing a pink hat? Do we need to follow him to find out?

[@oscyk]

Yes, I am Itching to find out.

[@gwyneddboom2579]

Yes! Why the pink helmet?!

[@rachelcarre9468]

He washed it with his red socks.

[@almostanengineer]

I always thought it was to do with training you’ve had, but pink is unusual 🧐

[@androcus]

We have to know why!

[@ranganuiaotearoa8324]

I find it interesting that TBM technology has advanced to the point where this type of tunneling is now seen as a routine option.

[@stevewareing8525]

I have to say Geoff and please don't take this the wrong way. That as "Boring video's" go that was one of the best I've seen in ages. An absolutely fascinating behind the scenes view of HS2. Cheers Geoff, looking forward to more!

[@allanlindskoog]

Geoff, you always have a great way of making the workers you speak with feel comfortable in sharing a little bit of their lives.

[@will16320]

It's not boring - it's fascinating!

[@HighlandMike325]

Who knows if Brunel had all this at his disposal we could have been getting on the 600mph sleeper train to New York by now

[@roberthardy2013]

Just let the Stig loose in one and we will!

[@robertlalor8090]

I don't think that I have seen you happier. Properly in your element. Thanks for sharing.

[@_its_finn]

The filming skills are amazing! Great work Geoff!

[@anniesoernym]

Always happy to see you happy and in your element, Geoff! Nice video again!

[@brunostransportjourneys2807]

The legend is back with another fantastic video.

[@RealLTBB]

Every Geoff Marshall video: Very Fun

[@IowaTrainGay]

This is stunning! So amazing and so cool! It's amazing the technology that goes into railroading now a days!

[@havingalook2]

So intersting. You are most lucky to have had that wonderful opportunity. Thank you for it.

[@Clavichordist]

Amazing stuff. I've been following this project from afar and enjoy watching the various bits and pieces that come out on it. Isambard Brunel would have been ecstatic could he have seen this and the project overall. It's amazing technology that really hasn't changed much in 170 years. The first boring machine was used to build the Hoosac Tunnel located in western Massachusetts. The concept was successful machine wasn't powerful enough to drill into the strong granite and schist located on the eastern side of the 1-mile tunnel and got stuck in the granite and schist. It was this machine that set the cornerstone for what we have today and still use similar technology, albeit a bit more powerful and precise.

[@ramaseshukittursrinivasan1788]

Hi Geoff. Great to see this video. The company I work for makes the tunnel segments and I was thrilled to get a glimpse of those installed in the tunnel. I am hoping to visit the LIW tunnel site soon. Thanks for sharing!

[@Boopop1024]

Up with HS2, down with RIS2. Cool video!

[@spyrytaraxalass]

100% this.

[@Ztbmrc1]

Very cool. I have seen the documentaries on the Channel Tunnel build. They had the same type of boring machines. But these are probably much more modern, since we are 30 years later. Thanks for showing us!

[@mikehindson-evans159]

And quite a bit wider. No doubt, however, that the 1980s Tunnel Tigers set the scene (and learned lessons) for the HS2 tunnelling teams of the 2020s.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great interesting video Geoff, never knew there was a panic room

[@6666steved]

A very informative video Geoff. Thanks.

[@johnhagen31]

Fantastic video!

[@thehorsebox6851]

enjoyed the video keep up the good work Geoff😃

[@claumeister1]

Only in England do you find wonderful place names like Long Itchington Wood. Sounds like a good place to get a bad case of Poison Ivy !

[@Transportationspotting]

Excellent video

[@eggydiary7123]

I agree.

[@flippop101]

The smell of wet concrete is one of the best smells in the world. It’s the smell of progress. Great video!

[@horny99845]

Thanks!

[@Cars_and_adventures]

Aww Geoff your gloves are on the wrong way round 😂 love the video though !

[@gnhansen29]

It's great to see progress of HS2.

[@patrickhughlynch56]

Congraduations to all the wonderful Irish personnel making this possible

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

People from across the world helping to build a better Britain. Good video.

[@sandycheeks7865]

a better london, you mean.

[@backblaise1255]

@@sandycheeks7865 No, I mean a better Britain, like I wrote.

[@colinlittlewood9613]

About 10 miles from my flat, went for a run around there last month and the whole area looks absolutely horrendous at the moment.

[@OhSome1HasThisName]

well yes, the phrase "it looks like a building site" generally doesn't describe positive aesthetics - it'll look better when it's done

[@colinlittlewood9613]

@@OhSome1HasThisName Better than it does currently for sure, but better than it did a few years ago?

[@zzzaphod8507]

Nice job. Despite the description, not a boring video after all!

[@emmetoleary1744]

Disappointing lack of boring/bored-related puns. I always enjoy your boring content, Geoff.

[@arthur1670]

6:04 Is Geoff just trolling us wearing gloves the wrong way round ?

[@massivley]

Exactly what I thought I wear the same gloves for work

[@alexsutton7163]

The HS2 comms guy was wearing them backwards too

[@Trapper3000]

Come on friends, how awesome are those Comm Manager glasses!

[@joygreenlees209]

We had Minearc refuge shelters like those in the coal mine I worked at here in NZ.

[@neville132bbk]

Ohai? Nightcaps? :-))

[@joygreenlees209]

@@neville132bbk Huntly East Mine, Solid Energy

[@Graham_Rule]

My first thought on watching this was claustrophobia. Then I got to the bit with the refuge and nearly freaked out. I'm most impressed by the staff 12 hours working on a shift next to the room you might have to run in to when the tunnel collapsed - that's hard core engineering. I wonder how long they'd expect folk to survive in there and under what circumstances would they get there in time.

[@bennyfactor]

Not a single double entendre about the place name and activity happening there. You're far mature than I, Geoff.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Being able to hear yourself echoing is such fun 👏🏽

[@zacm.2342]

Disappointed we didn't get an answer for the hard hat colours!

[@brianolson6366]

That was interesting

[@creativecarpenteruk]

Love the Videos Geoff but you wore your gloves the wrong way

[@ZetecinsideMotorsport]

That's a lot of contractors, making a lot of money. Fair play to them. Good to see the project progressing so well.

[@davidmcquaid2557]

Great vid. Kind of surprised how close to the edge of woods the tunnel begins, I would have thought a bigger buffer would be expected.

[@TP-pl8dl]

Axel has such a great knowledge. It really shows… i wonder is he still on the project… 👀

[@chrisoddy8744]

Would be nice if you were allowed to have a look at the much more ambitious and bigger Chiltern Tunnel (maybe after the TBM has cleared the first ventilation shaft that they're about to reach atm at Chalfont St Peter)

[@akrills]

Amazing technology...

[@eastlancsesteem]

I would replace the whole London bus fleet with 13m Man Lion City DDs, 12m Solaris Urbino 12 SDs and 18m Articulated Mercedes Benz Citaros* (*If they're allowed). I might add 12m Scania N94UBs too.

[@nathaniely.236]

this is a good comment

[@ianrotheroe2540]

Great video Geoff! I was wondering about whether you have another video planned or have already filmed one about the new electric buses being unveiled on route #63 in London? Would love to learn more about them as I am living on the west coast of the US and cannot ride them for myself, thanks!

[@MrRedTux]

Ahhh, I need a nice distraction today. Thanks Geoff.

[@tsungiraichiramba]

I live in Rugby and it’s not too far from Long Itchington and you can see the HS2 works when you head down the A423 from Southam to Banbury

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Interesting, I used to work on a TBM in Saudi Arabia 30 years ago. A 2 metre model.

[@future057]

Personally, I think the HS2 hat suits you! You should get one as memorabilia

[@HenrysAdventures]

When I speed through this tunnel in the future I'll think of that refuse chamber and the mysterious pink hat!

[@Vixduffield]

In a classic I’m-from-that-area-post… The locals would have you bring the words together in speech “Longitchington” Interesting vid!

[@GregRobsonUK]

As someone brought up in Southam this was my thought! It’s more Long-Itchington when pronounced.

[@duncanbhome]

I grew up in Southam just nearby and played in those woods. My family still lives there and unfortunately it's caused chaos in the area along with resentment. The cynic in me would say the tunnel is only going in so the local Polo ground isn't demolished. Other woods haven't been so lucky.

[@Clavichordist]

This isn't unusual, sadly. Where I live across the pond, a highway was planned to extend from Burlington Mass. to Somerville Mass. and pass directly through Arlington and Winchester. The Somerville portion of the interstate took out big swaths of neighborhoods, but the Arlington and Winchester portion was never completed. The residents were more influential and stopped the project in its tracks. Today, the interstate has dead-ended on and off ramps where this road was supposed to connect while the completed portions of Interstate 93 have razed large swaths of neighborhoods in Somerville, Charlestown and Medford. This same group of NIMBYs in Arlington also stopped the expansion of a badly needed light rail line out to an airport because they didn't want the riffraff in their town not that the people couldn't walk, driver, or take a bus and get there just the same. Today, the traffic is so bad that I dread driving through that area when I have to.

[@williamerazo3921]

@@Clavichordist they get what they deserved

[@Clavichordist]

@@williamerazo3921 They sure do. I'm glad my journeys down to Bedford and Arlington are far and few between now.

[@GregRobsonUK]

If you check the profile maps, you'll see that Long Itchington Wood is actually a significant 40m rise in the landscape. I've walked around that area, and there's no way a HS rail line is going to go over the hill, the grade is too severe.

[@davidjosephnolan]

Nothing boring about those machines

[@tedcopple101]

Why do you all have your gloves on backwards?

[@simonblackham4987]

I always like writing my place of birth: 'Royal Leamington Spa' !

[@Jimyjames73]

Very good - Luck you 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@DavidBeddard]

Very cool! The machinery and ingenuity, I mean; not HS2 itself.

[@simon3314]

A couple of walls & a door around the toilet might of been a good idea !

[@DarrenJCalvert]

Geoff looking more and more like Tim Cook with those glasses 🤓 😂

[@sparbundet4318]

Oh! They changed the helmets since the last video about the HS2. Check the video pictures.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Fascinating stuff. What are the odds that this line will open before Crossrail??

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Zero - the main race is between Crossrail and Thames Tideway - first passenger through Crossrail or first movement through Tideway!

[@Scottish_Transport_Explorer]

@@mikehindson-evans159 I think he was only joking lol

[@jamespotter3334]

You've got your gloves on backwards 🤣 the black rubber coating is the palm of the glove not the back

[@Jan-fg2if]

Yay Gareth Also yay Liam

[@tonys1636]

An interesting video about something boring, better than watching 50 navies swinging picks on a 19th Century tunnel boring scaffold. A nice refuge if the tunnel has a collape or other emergency, hope it's gas proof, whilst they wait to be rescued. The porta potty would not take long to fill!

[@thesteelrodent1796]

2:40 the bigger question here is: why are you guys wearing the gloves on opposite hands? left glove on right hand, right glove on left hand... the rubbery grippy part doesn't go on top of your hands, mate ;) but the logo and text does

[@kevinjones4559]

I assume they are tunnelling through Jurassic limestone and sandstone. Water I guess must be a major problem and would explain the sedate tunnelling rate compared to the Chiltrrn tunnels through chalk.

[@AaronD_]

i like behind the scenes videos!

[@frasermitchell9183]

One hopes the TBM isn't sent for scrap after boring just two miles of tunnel ! There are a couple of short tunnels on Phase 2a which will commence construction soon, (Madeley and Whitmore Heath), and also a tunnel under Crewe to be bored in Phase 2b plus the 11 mile tunnel under Manchester ! I suppose the latter will get machines of its own.

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Remember that one f the Channel Tunnel TBMs is still down there - run off to the side after tunnel join and sealed up, because it was simply not worth backing out 13 miles from under the English Channel.

[@nigelhorne2536]

When going at full pelt, what will the speed of trains be through the tunnel and how long will it take them to get from one end to the other?

[@chrisoddy8744]

From what I remember, the standard linespeed of HS2 is 220mph (360km/h), and if the tunnels on HS1 (North Downs, etc) are anything to go by I think that will be the maximum speed through both this and the longer Chiltern Tunnel. Itchington is roughly 1 mile long and Chiltern 10 miles, meaning a train at 220mph should clear Itchington in about 16.3 seconds and Chiltern in 2 minutes 43 seconds. Hope this helps!

[@thomasrobinson8336]

Another good question. Do you keep the Jacket

[@PokhrajRoy.]

We need to know more about the Slurry Treatment Plant.

[@Grichal1981]

The wood is actually nearer Southam than Long Itchington.

[@lastused2019]

Geoff when are you going to Warrington West?

[@johnhagen31]

Hell's teeth - that blue helmet guy's glasses were built by Wimpeys!

[@TubeVlogger7533]

Nice video geoff

[@tracklistlegend1587]

Just wondering if there was a reason why everyone was wearing their gloves the wrong way round?

[@ainstollermensch4758]

As a german, I was quite suprised when I read Fluchtkammern. 7:34

[@tonydrapper3589]

Helmet colour is used to signify the persons role or safety qualification. Blue is for ordinary persons and first aiders sometimes have a green helmet, however I am unsure why pink! Some sites, rather oddly, give pink helmets to those who have either lost or forgotten the helmet which they were initially issued with, as an act of humiliation.

[@SamSitar]

what does concrete smell like?

[@gamermatttw8925]

What’s the refuge chamber for?

[@tombailey9325]

Sorry but I can’t get over the fact that Geoff has got a right hand glove on his left hand…. Once you see it you can’t un-see it. 😅 Good video though

[@jappedut9009]

I have one question? How do they make the machine turn right/left ❓

[@tonychan8558]

Geoff, when are you visiting Worcestershire Parkway?

[@marksinthehouse1968]

This is a project to build a new railway ok but all I see is a manager for this a manager for that more managers than workers it seems

[@shawnli4746]

"Insert mandatory Tunnels Are Boring joke here"

[@Samuel_J1]

What's the funky vehicle at 3:20?

[@metricstormtrooper]

Is Axl the big wheel on the site?

[@mohammedmay]

Only half an hour away from me.

[@leonburns4634]

You have your gloves on the wrong hands!!!!

[@jakehowie442]

I like the way a Spanish guy and Indian guy are doing the important jobs in this tunnel 😂

[@madenaraputra6887]

Why build HS2 railway tunnel always short in length (e.g 1 - 21 km or called with a "kids marathon" - "half marathon" runner), thanks? Good job and good luck building that HS2 project path from London to Edinburgh.

[@anthonylloyd6094]

Still no Marshall labelled PPE......?

[@sparkyprojects]

Bottle the smell and call it Tunnelle No 5 ;)

[@toffeeFairy]

Beautiful german engineering, with german singing.