Thread incoming 🧵👇 The giant tunnelling machines tasked with digging the HS2 tunnel to London #Euston are ready to start their 4.5-mile underground journey. Here’s what’s happening and why it’s a significant milestone for the project 🚄👇.

These two massive Tunnel Boring Machines, named Karen and Madeleine, will dig the last stretch of the new high-speed rail line. Each machine weighs 1,250 tonnes and will take around 18 months to reach Euston from Old Oak Common 🤩👇.

The TBMs are named after women in the rail and engineering sectors. ✅ TBM Karen is named after Karen Harrison, the UK’s first female train driver, based out of the Old Oak Common depot. ✅ TBM Madeleine is named after Madeleine Nobbs, a pioneering engineer and former president of the Women’s Engineering Society 💡.

Engineers have begun assembling two giant tunnelling machines that will dig the final 4.5 miles of underground high-speed railway – carrying HS2 trains into the heart of London. These TBMs will deliver the final phase of tunnelling on the 140-mile route from #London to the #WestMidlands. Another significant milestone in delivering Britain’s new high-speed rail 🚄💨.

The extension to Euston is not just about transport. It’s expected to spark regeneration in the area, bringing new homes, jobs, and growth. This project will benefit millions, connecting more places across the Midlands, North, and London 📈. We’re looking at a transformative rail line that will shape the UK's transport for generations to come 🚄.

Rail Minister @LordPeterHendy said: “The sheer scale of the progress at Old Oak Common – and the benefits we will realise from taking HS2 to Euston, as confirmed in the Budget - reminds us that this is a once-in-a-generation project. HS2 will not only improve transport links for millions but unlock huge potential for growth, jobs and regeneration right across the country.”

Wrong destination. Surely they should be boring to a new station, slightly north of Euston / St Pancras with travelator links to both stations. HS2 lines would join with HS1 for through trains from up country to the continent. Little disruptive changes to Euston and St P.

The site of the Euston HS2 station would be worth more to a developer, and the taxpayer able to recover more money, if the site were to be sold off without building a station.

Great work everyone. It’s beginning to take shape.