The final two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that are to be used in the construction of HS2, are currently being assembled at the Old Oak Common station site.

These two machines will tunnel under West London to reach London Euston, a distance of 4.5 miles.

Both weighing over 1,250 tonnes, the machines are over 190 metres long and will act as a moving factory as they make their way to Euston. They will be able to remove 16 meters of clay spoil a day, to a diameter of 8.53 metres across.

The machines were built by Herrenknecht AG in Germany, and transported in pieces to Old Oak Common. Over the summer, the HS2 team used a 750-tonne crane to lower the machines into the underground station box, where they are currently being reassembled ready to begin their journey.

Traditionally, TBMs have been named after pioneering or influential women. One has been named after the first female train driver in the UK Karen Harrison, while the other has been named after former president of the Women’s Engineering Society, Madeleine Nobbs. Together they will take 18 months to complete the tunnels to bring HS2 trains to the heart of London.

The announcement comes on the same day that Mark Wild has been appointed as the new chief executive of HS2 Ltd, which also coincides with the company’s shift from extensive construction to operational readiness. The former Crossrail CEO will guide HS2 Ltd in this transition, emphasizing cost control throughout the process.

The extension into London Euston will be hugely beneficial to the capital as the line will run right into one of the busiest parts of the city. Passengers will be able to connect with several underground lines taking them in all directions across London and it will provide a much better connection with HS1 at London St Pancras, which will be a short 3-minute journey on the Victoria Line or a 10-minute walk up Euston Road.

The line to Euston will create extra capacity at the London of HS2, which will allow more services to run from Euston to the Midlands and the North on both HS2 and the West Coast Main Line while helping to reduce the overcrowding that London Euston regularly experiences.

The local area will also benefit from HS2’s arrival at Euston as it is predicted that a regeneration of the area will take place creating new jobs and homes all within a short distance of five of the UKs major railways lines, HS1, HS2, the West Coast Main Line, the East Coast Main Line and the Midland Main line.

“I’m delighted to welcome Mark Wild to HS2 and look forward to working with him to successfully deliver Britain’s largest rail project sensibly and efficiently for the benefit of passengers and taxpayers.

“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.”

Rail Minister Lord Hendy

“After so much uncertainty, it’s great to finally be working with a Government that recognises the huge importance of this scheme to London and the UK, and understands why terminating HS2 at Euston is so important. It’s exciting that these tunnel boring machines will soon be getting work underway.

“This is another example of the difference that the new Government’s approach is making in London, delivering real benefits that will help to build a fairer and greener London for everyone and deliver the change Britain needs.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan