HS2 Tunnels Being Dug in the Chilterns

Out in the Chilterns a 16Km tunnel and 3Km bridge are being built as part of the construction of the HS2 line. We were invited to the site near West Hyde in the Colne Valley to see the construction works and tunnel boring machines up close along with many many concrete tunnel segments!
Here's a complete routemap of where HS2 is being built: www.hs2.org.uk/where/route-ma...
Align's website with their HS2 page is here: alignjv.com/news#latest-news
There's a great video here from Gareth / Whitewicks about the advantages of HS2: • Should we build HS2 or...

[@ice401557]

Do you know how a tunnel boring machine works? I tell you. They stand the machine in front of a hill or mountain, and it starts telling it very old bad jokes and stories. When the hill is boring enough, it will start yawning. When the mouth is big enough, they put the ring segments inside very quickly, and voilá, the tunnel is finished.

[@bfcmik]

Hahaha

[@daveydarko5026]

your jokes are no better than the project itself!

[@HenrysAdventures]

This tunnel constrction site is right on my doorstep and being able to walk over to it and the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft kept me amused during lockdown, as did the HS2 Construction trains on the Chiltern Main Line. For people who ask my why I support HS2 I say "Having the longest viaduct and longest tunnel in the UK under construction on my doorstep is something I cannot fail to be enthusiastic about"!

[@xander1052]

this is the right attitude!

[@TheCaptScarlett]

Let us hope Henry that the aquifer and chalk streams in the Misbourne and Chess valleys are not damaged irreparably

[@grahamlive]

I really like trains but I feel the environmental damage caused by this just isn’t worth it. I hope I’m wrong and this, in the end will be justified but I just can’t see it. People will still use cars. So what will be the poling of this? A few minutes shaved off a journey from London to Birmingham for a handful of people.

[@xander1052]

@@grahamlive the point is more that it frees up space on the WCML for local and freight services, which means less lorries (and hopefully also less cars) on the roads, which will massively reduce CO2 emissions and also potentially cheaper shipping in the UK. The Government has also pledged to replant several times the amount of woodland it will be destroying so in the long term hopefully any damage will be reversed by this.

[@Alto53]

@@grahamlive let's never build anything again by this logic.

[@yeetsmate4037]

Amazing as always, Geoff! This really shows how much effort and time it takes to build a new railway, especially a high speed one.

[@jetterjohn]

such a shameful waste of time and effort, MY MONEY PAYING FOR THIS.

[@2H80vids]

@@jetterjohn 🥱

[@JJAACCOOOOOBBBBB]

I just wish they were working as hard at both ends... it's gonna be 20 whole years before Manchester is connected 😭

[@buffalobob8498]

bloody dad jokes 🤣

[@hb1338]

@@JJAACCOOOOOBBBBB .. and the rail links into and out of HS2 have not even been considered, even though they are almost certainly vital for its success.

[@garethblake3941]

With all else sadly going on in the world at the moment we tend to forget about the UK HS2 railway line project. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[@justandy333]

Hurrah! A video about HS2 with no politics!!! Just HS2 itself.

[@davidlewis8742]

Thank you Geoff, great video. You are humble and a true professional.

[@jetterjohn]

yeah well done Geoff when you going to pay me and every other tax payer back for this bullshit rail line?

[@jordangould4763]

@@jetterjohn You don’t pay tax, you have to earn enough money for that, meaning a skilled profession that’s obviously beyond you. It’s people like myself that waste our tax on your hospital bills when we could and should just get rid of subhumans

[@2H80vids]

@@jetterjohn What the **** does it have to do with Geoff? Why would 𝒉𝒆 pay anyone anything? Your constant bleating, about things that don't concern you, is getting really tired.

[@2H80vids]

@@jordangould4763 Maybe a little harsh Jordan: fair, but harsh.😂👍

[@Dan23_7]

Very interesting 👍🏼 I’ve seen this site but had no idea of the scale of it. I remember going to France on a day trip with high school in the 90s. We drove past the entrance to where Chunnel was being dug. It was awe inspiring

[@daveydarko5026]

This is not awe inspiring, it is disgusting and reeks of Tory contracts for the boys.

[@tommckenzie2327]

I was lucky enough to deliver some steel reinforcement in my truck to the south portal right next to where the tunnel entrance were supposed to be but they hadn't been started yet. I've deliver to many construction sites in the last 5 years and I can say this is an Impressively large site.

[@havingalook2]

How bloody lucky you were to see all that you did and to have that tour. Yes, I am most envious, but always in a good way. Cheers.

[@Jimyjames73]

WOW - Very Amazing Geoff- Thank you for the insight!!! 😮🚂🚂🚂

[@bigjaffa02]

7:21 am I the first to notice there are 2 Denham Golf Clubs? Did nobody tell Geoff that double Denham has been uncool since the 80s?

[@chairmakerPete]

🙌

[@timmatthews773]

Double Denham?

[@CalamityKim1]

Its crazy how quick this all went up. The gantry cranes in the storage yard, I delivered some of the top beams which allow it to go side to side, I think they were 30m long from memory. This was only at the beginning of the year. Was still a full building site, to see it now is crazy. They’re working fast!

[@johnjephcote7636]

Very impressed with the factory! It completely contrasts in my mind with the lax goings on at the Wormit foundry where they were casting the components for Bouch's Tay Bridge.

[@HS2ltd]

We're glad you enjoyed the site tour Geoff!

[@terrystephens1102]

Very interesting tour, thanks 😃👌👏👏👏

[@philtucker1224]

I’m just retired now but when I was in the early stages of my electrical career I watched the channel tunnel being constructed from start to finish. Another massive site and just the area where the men had their sleeping quarters looked as big as a town. (I wonder if sourcing construction engineers is as easy nowadays?) perhaps someone can elaborate on that subject…..🤔

[@-M0LE]

I know they just use local hotels and b&b now

[@davidoliver1169]

Geoff - another great video - thanks.

[@EdwardPorian]

Thank you for this

[@Bunter.948]

Superb video Geoff. Your stuff is always interesting but this one especially so. Well done. I'd like to see something about the bridge over the Colne Valley. Well done. Simon T

[@geofftech2]

Thanks, will do!

[@trains.planes]

@@geofftech2 I'll definitely look forward to seeing more HS2 videos! It's great that you get so much detail into your videos it's like being there in person! Keep up the good work!

[@falkerhard]

Best of luck guys. I can’t wait to experience this.

[@craigdickens791]

Terrific video! 👍👍

[@Yuenex]

got the chance to work at South Portal for a few months, and it’s the most impressive HS2 site I’ve been on!

[@Thereal_prettyinblack]

My son's primary sits right in the middle of the building site of the HS2. We have seen every single combination of traffic cones, traffic diversions and traffic complications over the last 3 years. Sometimes tree goes over the day, sometimes new trees appears over the night. All fun

[@tonywallow964]

Nicely done

[@petermcnamara6115]

Very good video Thank you 😊

[@CheeseISlikeFEET]

My friend is an engineer working there. So cool to see.

[@mizunage]

Thanks for visiting my workplace!

[@14thsmeghead]

A not boring video maskerading as a boring video. Nice. :)

[@robertlalor8090]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing

[@GateKommand]

Enjoyed the vid mate!

[@jeantremlett174]

Thank you for doing this vid. Anyone know if the south portal is in Herts or Bucks?

[@markwaypoint]

Wow! It just caught me way off guard that Geoff is wearing those gloves the "spcial" way. I must say, quite annoying once you notice. :-)

[@markwaypoint]

@@geofftech2 that‘s the secret sauce, and the quality of the content of course. 😄 I‘ll continue watching, liking, ringing bells

[@fenna_pel]

once you've noticed that, you can't unnotice it anymore ...;) @Geoff Marshall, thx for the video :)

[@kanedaku]

@@geofftech2 I choose to believe that it was intentional, because otherwise you have bad circulation in your hands not to notice the feelin'.

[@oysterfarescentral]

Isn't Old Oak Common near the Paddington main line such that Heathrow is linked?

[@youtubespeedrunlol]

Yes and when old oak Common Station is finished, GWR, crossrail and Heathrow express will join into it making it a massive interchange to the North,West And east.

[@TheByard]

I have been involved in several tunnel projects where the segments are cast onsite, my father was general foreman on the Hadley Wood to Potters Bar tunnels for BR back in the 1950s, segment were transported by a narrow gouge rail system from the factory to the tunnels. The Suez road tunnel, Denmark's Storebaelt rail tunnels, Cairo Wastewater tunnels also had a purpose built factory though not onsite and it supplied the different contractors employed. Other than that a precast concrete company would be given the contract and cast the segments in their own yard, under client supervision. As for the timber packer robot, we used a long metal rod to pull the packers to the side for lifting off by hand, well away from the track, plus a lot less to go wrong. Thanks for showing us around,

[@smitus_hell7564]

i know it would take longer, but why not make the HS2 mainly underground and we'd be able to keep the forests

[@davegem]

One word - Cost!

[@arthurballs9632]

In the LB of Hillingdon they're planning to do cut and cover "tunnelling" for HS2, cheaper than boring by a long way.

[@HST_Productions]

People also want to look out of the window when on trains, and if all they see is darkness of a tunnel then they wouldn't be too happy, at least I know I wouldn't.

[@PhilMozchops1974]

what you have to ask is why bother making it at all??? The money would have been better spent on the existing rail infrastructure. and saved the environment. Scandalous.

[@HST_Productions]

@@PhilMozchops1974 any work to existing infrastructure will do nothing as impactful as building a brand new high speed line unfortunately. Priority is taking more trains off the mainline to then add stuff like more freight trains, removing countless trucks off of the roads. In our rail situation, one over the other isn't gonna cut it anymore.

[@jacobporrett]

Good stuff Geoff

[@josephkarl2061]

2:53 You read my mind Geoff 🤣

[@Clavichordist]

This is fascinating stuff. I've been following the project off and on from afar across the pond. What's interesting is while the technology is modern and automated, the process is still the same as it was over 150 years ago. Brunel would be proud of this project and the tunnel building in particular.

[@factorylad5071]

The Cheddar Gorge tunnel is a fine achievement the sun shines right through it on his birthday.

[@canary444]

Geoff, you had your gloves on back to front lol, great informative video.

[@paul2funky]

Great video Geoff! Fascinating to see how this project is progressing!

[@cheeseysponge944]

That's so cool!

[@MikeWillSee]

Great insight into the works going on over there, and great that you managed to get Gareth Dennis in the video too!

[@patrickhughlynch56]

Another public infrastructure masterpiece in which Irish Talent played an important role. Geoff -There is no end to your talent - Keep on Railing. Congrats to all involved.

[@philroberts7238]

French talent too, it seems.

[@medo0o700]

Am having my interview for cross passge engineer tomorrow with Align co I hope that I'll get the job its an amazing opportunity loved the project

[@Abdul.M.]

Great Video Geoff interesting HS2

[@michaelcoker3197]

Brilliant!

[@briancjohnson]

I really love seeing everyone's take amoungst the railway vloggers I follow!

[@Kub5008]

Hopefully we get more HS2 sneak peeks from you!

[@neilbain8736]

It's got to be the longest tunnel in Britain, but there'd be so many caveats it would end up like What Did The Romans Ever Do for Us? in The Life Of Brian. Yet considering how the Severn Tunnel and those through the Peak District were constructed, this is very impressive indeed, and twice as long.

[@xander1052]

Surprisingly no, 16km does not match the longest railway tunnel in Britain, that'd be the Northern Line Bank Branch Tunnel, at nearly 29 kilometres.

[@JackKing12.]

I worked on the enabling package. We built the power station to power the TBM. Work has progressed a lot since 2020...

[@Richardincancale]

7:21 Denham Golf Club must be a giant facility having not one but two stations on the main line!!

[@Richardincancale]

@@geobloxmodels1186 But was there two of them!!

[@willhammond93]

@@Richardincancale only one, the Airfield nearby and Martin Baker is probably the only reason it made the cut.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Constructing HS2 is very impressive, brilliant video Geoff and your reaction for the storage yard was brilliant!

[@matthewlewis2072]

Try living near it

[@vinniesuperstar8923]

Love how that portal show up on google maps but where do they come out? Nothing is showing on that end :(

[@Japan-in-N]

This was great to see. The aggregate for this is literally being blasted from a quarry at the foot of my garden.

[@matthewking5612]

So exciting

[@joelashford]

YES!! The video I’ve all been waiting for. Thanks Geoff 👍🏻👍🏻

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Thank you for a fascinating visit to the HS2 construction site in the summer of 2021. It may have already been stated, but Florence and Cecilia - the two TBMs - launched at different times because the UK Highways authority wanted to minimise the risk of disruption up above, on the M25. Thanks for the video documentary: a nice little bit of history. Mike

[@EoRdE6]

This is the cleanest construction site I've ever seen. Let me tell you, passenger rail construction in the United States does not look like this

[@sIightIybored]

There's a reason it's 2x more expensive per mile than the next most expensive rail project. Not a corner cut, except the ones north of Birmingham.

[@Tealice1]

There is passenger rail construction in the United States?

[@redstonerelic]

@@Tealice1 Brightline in Florida! exciting stuff

[@EoRdE6]

@@Tealice1 where I work it's some commuter rail expansion, nothing very exciting and very much using 1900s approaches (level crossings, wooden ties, single track)

[@longbeardbobson4710]

HS2 ltd is very firm on the health, safety and environment stuff.

[@etbadaboum]

Adrien works for Bouygues Travaux Publics, member of the ALIGN team with two other British companies! Franco-British engineering FTW! :)

[@Deanrwp]

Hi Geoff, Brilliant video showing us the progress of HS2 🚅 😊

[@daveydarko5026]

cant wait to see all the trough feeder contractors and firm pack up and go home.

[@pix-point]

Why ist the TBM in the right tunnel on some shots (1:06, 4:05) and in the left tunnel on other shots (2:22, 4:22)?

[@hunt4redoctober628]

Nearly got a job on the Channel tunnel project (TML) back in the day, as one of over 100 Geologists on the project. Unfortunately after being informed I had been successful, the funding for the job was pulled and I never actually joined the project. Spent 31 years of my life in a completely different industry in the end. Funny how life turns out.

[@never152]

Wow. Blown away.

[@QPRTokyo]

Would like to have seen a CG pic of the finish site.

[@jeffreyleib9672]

First Rickmansworth, now West Hyde. Feel free to drop by for a cup of tea next time you're in my area!

[@chopper602]

I did the site data work for Highways England for the HS2 exit from the M25

[@RobertSmith-zv1xo]

Like Cicelia the most as it is my mum's name :D As a surveyor noticed the prism at the entrance of that tunnel. Wouldn't surprise they're using that for the build.

[@thomasullmann7447]

I shouldn't watch this for too long, it makes me want to play transport fever 2 :D

[@jahidk123]

Anyone know what signalling system HS2 will run on?

[@daveydarko5026]

candles. its already over budget....

[@rogerhudson9732]

What happens to the factory and ancillary site when it's finished?

[@daveydarko5026]

it gets buried.

[@clivehulbert6083]

Thats an incredible project Geoff i just hope i am still around when its finished love to ride it

[@daveydarko5026]

lol. incredible? you mean totally uncredible.

[@adamhenley8295]

Already looking forward to seeing Runderground Matt running the hs2 line 😂😂

[@freddien7]

I remember when they built the Chanell tunnel near folkestone.the rings were made miles away on the Isle of Grain!!, they also used the spoil from the dig to increase a part of an island, and at the end the TBM was driven into the side of the tunnel and buried. it cost Millions to make and just dumped as too expensive to get out!.

[@stash.]

Its still pretty common to bury the TBM at end of construction, they did the same with the Germanic alps tunnel recently

[@freddien7]

@@stash. Expensive waste!!

[@stash.]

​@@freddien7 The Moscow one will be interesting whenever out of completion hell, moscow was built on marshland much like Mexico City so they've only got one chance to do it great in fear of destabilizing more of the area surrounding moscow so they've decided its gonna be giant massive, they'll surely bury that one too into the marsh below. Largest one ever built even lager than the alps one. I dont think mexico city will ever be able to have one there marsh land is so bad

[@l1nus0nl1neproductions9]

I cant believe I’ve never thought of this before but is There a TFL travel assistece app? 🤔

[@cameronallan5624]

Yes it’s called TFL Go

[@robc.9559]

Has been very interesting as the company I work for have the contract for testing the contruction materials on site.

[@daveydarko5026]

you are part of the problem then! go away, nobody want your train line.

[@steuk6510]

Where do I get a hs2 helmet from

[@mdsween]

I always wanted to see what was going on when I go past on the M25! Also you have your glove on upside down at 5:23 , made me chuckle!

[@Danny-mr2qk]

Thaysen good for the railway tour nice

[@future057]

Can’t wait for HS2! Cool that you got a sneak peek!

[@Scottish_Transport_Explorer]

Same

[@Nathan_A_RF]

It's amazing to think there will be zero trace of this construction site when the line is finished, much like Samphire Hoe at the Channel Tunnel or Beechbrook Farm on HS1.

[@nicktecky55]

Ehh? Samphire Hoe? Invisible? I've no idea what the 100,000 visitors a year are looking at then. It's a nature reserve. As for Beechbrook Farm, I suggest you visit the website of the dog-friendly caravan site!

[@matthewlewis2072]

No trace of HS2 at all in the Chilterns AONB. Why don't you vome and see what the "no trace" looks like? Have a fun game of count the ripped out trees, or maybe look at all the highly environmentally friendly concrete, or the helicopter patrols, and enjoy the massive traffic disruption for years.

[@Nathan_A_RF]

@@matthewlewis2072 I think you'll find I said "when finished". It's quite hard to construct a new railway line without vehicles or a worksite you know.

[@BellePullman]

@@Nathan_A_RF Give it a thousand years to grow back to what was there before, and sure! Zero trace to the casual eye of a tourist, maybe.

[@Nathan_A_RF]

@@BellePullman I'm guessing you've not seen HS1?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Wow! This video is too cool. Reminds me of those fun documentaries on National Geographic or Discovery Channel.

[@shadow_5245]

These videos are always very informative and entertaining, I can't wait to see the other end of the tunnels!

[@clockwork9827]

we are planning to change over to high speed rail between Quebec & Ontario in the next few years. i wonder if any part of our rail network will be underground. fascinating look at the tunnelers and infrastructure

[@bachtehude2437]

Anyone else notice that Denham Golf Club station appears twice on the map with the Chiltern Main line?

[@lv-ag6129]

I think I might have a feeling that it’s gonna be delayed again… like crossrail. I just don’t know why Looking forward to be going on this when it finally opens in 2026 Hopefully

[@88kristina]

Yep. Good luck with the HS2 Euston terminus. Only way to keep it within a reasonable price is to shrink it but Bojo says no

[@subwayexpress465]

Of course its going to be delayed. Expect it to open about 2-5 years late, but it will be worth the wait!

[@maz4304]

Opening date was pushed back last year to 2028/29 but this now also includes the line up to Crewe

[@julesdingle]

my guess is it will before schedule.. Crossrail issues are software given the computer system were asked not only to do tickets but also a host of other tricks including security. HS2 has no need for such complex software- even the signalling given it is a one way track with no slow trains or freight will be relatively straightforward.. alerts in case a train has stopped for a reason.

[@MikeWillSee]

@@88kristina shrinking it would save a miniscule amount of money (relatively speaking) whilst also detrimentally affecting the service for generations to come. The line is designed for 18tph, and this can only be achieved reliably with 11 platforms for HS2 at Euston. Any less and you have to reduce the number of trains running on the line, which would mean fewer places get the benefits, and the line as a whole would be over-engineered for a higher number of trains that simply wouldn't end up using that capacity. Conclusion: don't shrink Euston to make a quick buck for a long-term cost.

[@cgejoseph4439]

‘Came at lunchtime’ that’s what all tradespeople say.

[@Danny-mr2qk]

Greaøat👍

[@SynKronos]

How has the supply chain issues effected operations?

[@daveydarko5026]

hopefully!

[@Jubernack]

Interesting.

[@benjamindenton]

What a different scene it must have looked in Brunel's day.

[@bobsrailrelics]

Makes you realise how big the project is.

[@helderalmeida3417]

Finally UK is getting trains like they have in France and Germany, very fast trains

[@Cordelia-again]

Sigh. You have no idea what you are talking about. This is an expensive vanity project that no one but those doing the project want.

[@Theoddert]

Haha, Getting free content of Gareth, sneaky ;)

[@chilli8729]

What station in london will Hs2 go from

[@geofftech2]

Euston! plus a new 'west london' station out at Old Oak Common

[@chilli8729]

@@geofftech2 Thanks Geoff

[@RedKnight-fn6jr]

Euston and Old Oak Common.

[@peterturner8766]

I walked the Chorleywood to Penn sections of the Chiltern Way last week and came across one of the vent shafts to the south of Amersham and the west of CSG. A bit of a blight to be honest. I hope they will be sympathetically landscaped in due course.

[@mikehindson-evans159]

They will. Apparently the final post-construct buildings will resemble agricultural outbuildings. Mike

[@daveydarko5026]

sympathetic? HS2 is a psycopathic!

[@daveydarko5026]

@@mikehindson-evans159 nice! i think anyone living near this terrible project would prefer the natural landscape left alone!

[@Nayson]

Love these ones which give updates on work in progress projects.

[@PianoKwanMan]

5:26 I love how your glove is the wrong way round

[@JdmusUK]

3:50 random fact anyone notice the geoff is wearing the gloves the wrong way around

[@ianwhite4821]

Love it Geoff. Really enjoyed it :)

[@ianpaynetravel]

When the guy announced Cecilia, I half expected you to cut to the Cecilia song by Suggs or Simon and Garfunkel