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The TBM was manufactured by Herrenknecht AG in Germany and shipped over to the UK in 2024 before being carefully lifted into and reassembled in the giant underground station box at Old Oak Common.
Engineers from HS2’s London tunnels contactor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), have been working to prepare the machines for their tunnelling mission over the last 12 months.
The TBM is an underground factory – working 24/7 to excavate, install the concrete ring segments that form the walls, and grout them into place as it moves forward at an average speed of around 16 metres per day.
The 4.5 mile drive for the Euston Tunnel is being facilitated by a separate logistics tunnel which was completed in January 2024. The 853 metre Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel will allow the tunnelling team to access both machines, deliver construction materials including 48,294 concrete ring segments and remove over 1.5 million tonnes of excavated spoil.
All the excavated material from the tunnel will be taken via conveyor to the London Logistics Hub at the Willesden Euro terminal Depot. From there it is taken by rail for reuse in projects in Kent, Cambridgeshire and Warwickshire.
The launch comes as HS2 is at an advanced stage of a comprehensive reset led by Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive.
When complete, the railway will open in stages, with the first services running between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. HS2 will open all the way to Euston at a later date.
Wild said: “On my first day at HS2, I unveiled the Euston TBMs as they were being prepared to build the Euston Tunnel. Just over a year on, we’re beginning to excavate the tunnel – a show of confidence that HS2 will be built into central London and kickstart economic growth.
“Over the past 12months, I have been leading a comprehensive reset across HS2 to get it back on track and I am confident that we’re on the right path to delivering HS2 safely and efficiently.
“The start of tunnelling here today is a part of the strong foundations we can build upon to completing HS2 and deliver better journeys for rail passengers.”
The delivery of the new HS2 station at Euston will be led by a new Euston Delivery Company. Once established, the Company will lead delivery of an affordable and integrated transport hub – including the new HS2 station, the redevelopment of the existing station, and upgrades to the London Underground station – along with commercial development across the Euston campus.