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A nice and complete HS2 Colne Valley viaduct epilogue. All these HS2 large civils technologies are critical to future high-speed rail efforts in UK and elsewhere around the world. Hopefully going forward these HS2 high-speed rail construction methods can spread and fully integrate northward to Crewe and Manchester (on notional future projects).
Well done on a great update and balanced view in more ways than one.... Yes I have been following the chase of 'Dominique' across this beautiful valley that is so close to London, and I have enjoyed every moment, what will happen to the launching girder is a good question, as is the date for the last segment.....we will have to see, thanks again...Rail_Focus..👍👍👍👍....
It may cost double than other countries, but these things (which were designed before HS2 was getting downscaled) show that the UK could be an infrastructure god if it wanted.
It doesn't cost double to other Countries. Other Countries (in Europe and China) only publish the cost of the track and trains.. Track and stations in Denmark. So you are comparing apples with oranges
@@BCrossing other countries don’t have expensive lengthy public enquiries and NImbys don’t have the power that they do here. In China it would just be built regardless of human cost or environmental damage.
If you stick with it you could follow Hinckley Point C , the New Hospital Programme and Labour's 1.50 million new homes plan which is due to be launched soon. Might need some patience though as the politicians are involved.
I suspect that the launching girder might be on the way to Estonia to build viaducts on the Rail Baltica route. They have several viaducts to build, and one currently has the supports being built but no sign of starting on the deck.
It seems the chancellor Reeve and the treasury are driving infrastructure policy and in am 'austere' way just as George Osborne went slow 14 years ago - hs2 and x-rail barely progressing for an age - and the prudence of Gordon Brown 25 years ago. A big mistake. The current curtailed hs2 is bad, and not giving that engineering talent new work is crazy.
I was hoping the "we're not going to build phase 2" line was just pre election politicking, but it seems austerity is here to stay 🙁. Although I am still hopeful we will see some sort of link between Crewe and Handsacre. But ultimately I think we will lose much of the knowledge gained so far. With the risk of workers leaving the UK, which is what happened after the completion of the Channel Tunnel.
@@Rail_Focus Maybe they can start at the Manchester end to expand and lengthen the Piccadilly platforms or integrate and build high-speed rail with their airport. What if...they made these notional upgrades fully compatible with HS2 200mph+ ? Using Manchester local funds ? What if Manchester and Birmingham teamed up strongly, politically, and their own compact ?
Cancelling HS2 beyond Birmingham was a shortsighted mistake. Unfortunately neither main political party has a good record of timely investment in infrastructure. On that front the present government has already made two huge mistakes. Firstly, cancelling the much needed and overdue A303 tunnel which would have a huge positive impact on the economy of the South West and return the Stonehenge landscape to its pre-A303 state. Secondly, not reversing the decision to cancel HS2,north of Birmingham. If nothing else you’d think Labour would want to support their northern strongholds by rewarding them with much needed infrastructure. Then there’s all the jobs that disappear when infrastructure projects are cancelled. Fewer jobs shrinks the economy and puts more people on benefits. The nay-sayers over costs should ask themselves where does all the money go? It’s not “wasted” or poured down some black hole. It’s mostly spent on wages both in the main contractors and the supply chain which helps the economy grow because people have money to spend Amongst other thing allowing those connected with infrastructure projects to afford to buy houses. We can’t just build houses if (a) people don’t earn enough to buy them & (b) the fact is houses without infrastructure create their own problems. Bottom line is we need a growing economy with BOTH infrastructure and housing.
Hey, Mr. Focus. You seem to be abreast of this stuff. At 0:35 we get a clear view of the four 'antennae' at the front of Dominique. There are four at the other end also. They adopt all sorts of angles: sometimes a pair will be down with the other pair splayed at a higher angle etc. It's been baffling a few of us as to what their function is. Can you shed any light on this? Ta.
@@StephenWalker42 You wrote the manual, Steve. If you don't know what they are for it will remain one of life's unsolved mysteries. A bit like the Bermuda Triangle but on a smaller scale.
The only things they can do is either cover the viaduct in shrubs or paint it white. Both will require a permanent maintenance contract so it won't happen.
@@marksmith334 Well if you are going to build extra North South capacity because the WCML has no further growth then making it a High Speed line as well adds very little extra cost. Adding this capacity by removing path hungry express trains from the WCML will allow more suburban, local and freight trains benefitting local travel and taking more trucks off our roads. So why do you argue these are not 'the greatest benefits'?
If you would like to consider supporting the channel click: www.patreon.com/Chris_Rail_Focus or become a Member here on TH-cam
Or you can support the channel by making a purchase on my Redbubble gallery
www.redbubble.com/people/engphotography/shop
Or alternatively by becoming a TH-cam member
A nice and complete HS2 Colne Valley viaduct epilogue. All these HS2 large civils technologies are critical to future high-speed rail efforts in UK and elsewhere around the world.
Hopefully going forward these HS2 high-speed rail construction methods can spread and fully integrate northward to Crewe and Manchester (on notional future projects).
Wint happen north gets left out if everything
I like how looks like its skimming over the water like a stone. Looks great. 👍
Fantastic piece of engineering
Yes, it is wonderful of itself, but given the curtailment of HS2 proper, it looks like a big expensive white elephant.
Civil engineering at its best. Staggering construction expertise.
It does look very impressive and it’s coming along very nicely. I can’t wait to see HS2 completed in the next 5 years.
Ok. What like another 10 years?
Thanks for the update. Good to see its nearly finished
Will be good to see it when the parapets are installed and pontoon bridge removed.
Well done on a great update and balanced view in more ways than one.... Yes I have been following the chase of 'Dominique' across this beautiful valley that is so close to London, and I have enjoyed every moment, what will happen to the launching girder is a good question, as is the date for the last segment.....we will have to see, thanks again...Rail_Focus..👍👍👍👍....
It may cost double than other countries, but these things (which were designed before HS2 was getting downscaled) show that the UK could be an infrastructure god if it wanted.
It doesn't cost double to other Countries. Other Countries (in Europe and China) only publish the cost of the track and trains.. Track and stations in Denmark. So you are comparing apples with oranges
@@BCrossing other countries don’t have expensive lengthy public enquiries and NImbys don’t have the power that they do here. In China it would just be built regardless of human cost or environmental damage.
Finally, I'm here early, isn't civil engineering absolutely fascinating though
I love engineering, that's why I wanted to start this channel 🙂
@@Rail_Focus I think I might do the same
If you stick with it you could follow Hinckley Point C , the New Hospital Programme and Labour's 1.50 million new homes plan which is due to be launched soon. Might need some patience though as the politicians are involved.
I think it looks great - especially once the pontoon bridges have been removed and landscaping has matured.
It will be good to see it with the pontoon bridges removed.
I suspect that the launching girder might be on the way to Estonia to build viaducts on the Rail Baltica route. They have several viaducts to build, and one currently has the supports being built but no sign of starting on the deck.
It seems the chancellor Reeve and the treasury are driving infrastructure policy and in am 'austere' way just as George Osborne went slow 14 years ago - hs2 and x-rail barely progressing for an age - and the prudence of Gordon Brown 25 years ago. A big mistake. The current curtailed hs2 is bad, and not giving that engineering talent new work is crazy.
I was hoping the "we're not going to build phase 2" line was just pre election politicking, but it seems austerity is here to stay 🙁. Although I am still hopeful we will see some sort of link between Crewe and Handsacre.
But ultimately I think we will lose much of the knowledge gained so far. With the risk of workers leaving the UK, which is what happened after the completion of the Channel Tunnel.
@@Rail_Focus Maybe they can start at the Manchester end to expand and lengthen the Piccadilly platforms or integrate and build high-speed rail with their airport.
What if...they made these notional upgrades fully compatible with HS2 200mph+ ? Using Manchester local funds ?
What if Manchester and Birmingham teamed up strongly, politically, and their own compact ?
Cancelling HS2 beyond Birmingham was a shortsighted mistake. Unfortunately neither main political party has a good record of timely investment in infrastructure. On that front the present government has already made two huge mistakes. Firstly, cancelling the much needed and overdue A303 tunnel which would have a huge positive impact on the economy of the South West and return the Stonehenge landscape to its pre-A303 state. Secondly, not reversing the decision to cancel HS2,north of Birmingham. If nothing else you’d think Labour would want to support their northern strongholds by rewarding them with much needed infrastructure. Then there’s all the jobs that disappear when infrastructure projects are cancelled. Fewer jobs shrinks the economy and puts more people on benefits. The nay-sayers over costs should ask themselves where does all the money go? It’s not “wasted” or poured down some black hole. It’s mostly spent on wages both in the main contractors and the supply chain which helps the economy grow because people have money to spend Amongst other thing allowing those connected with infrastructure projects to afford to buy houses. We can’t just build houses if (a) people don’t earn enough to buy them & (b) the fact is houses without infrastructure create their own problems. Bottom line is we need a growing economy with BOTH infrastructure and housing.
I live close by. The cut and cover copthall tunnel makes sense now. I couldn't quite work out how it was going to work
I wasn't 100% sure until recently. Will make for an interesting journey, across the viaduct and then mostly in tunnels as the trains head to London.
Hey, Mr. Focus. You seem to be abreast of this stuff. At 0:35 we get a clear view of the four 'antennae' at the front of Dominique. There are four at the other end also. They adopt all sorts of angles: sometimes a pair will be down with the other pair splayed at a higher angle etc. It's been baffling a few of us as to what their function is. Can you shed any light on this? Ta.
Not 100% sure, I always thought they were hoists, but may actually be antenna, perhaps for location monitoring.
Hi Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that............. HAL, what are the 'Antennae' for on Dominique?
@@StephenWalker42 You wrote the manual, Steve. If you don't know what they are for it will remain one of life's unsolved mysteries.
A bit like the Bermuda Triangle but on a smaller scale.
No official word so we wait... forever trapped in the Bermuda triangle@@DaveFiggley
It's a beautiful viaduct and actually enhances the region. Never mind the whingers!
Nice until the concrete stains, then an abomination..
@@johnburns4017 Well, hopefully they will take countermeasures on that possibility?
@@29brendus
Dream on.
The only things they can do is either cover the viaduct in shrubs or paint it white. Both will require a permanent maintenance contract so it won't happen.
The only other option would have been to build the viaduct in white concrete. Google Alexandra Road, Camden to see the eyesore that would have been.
A green tunnel is also known as just a tunnel.
@@Cartoonman154 🤷
I wanna know what happpwnd. With other stages of hs2 with the new goverment
That's the million pound question, I don't think we'll know until next year
The other parts of hs2 hace royal aasenr
@@sebastianmeri5213 phase 2a to Crewe has Royal Assent, but Labour are still refusing to fund it.
Phase 2a has royal assent since when
@@sebastianmeri5213 Phase 2a royal assent on February 11, 2021....but still cancelled "somehow".
An abomination through the Colne Valley. A complete waste of resources
Nope.
So you don't believe in the future?
@@timoakley277 I believe in spend the resources where they would have had the greatest benefits. Not on a vanity project
@@marksmith334 Well if you are going to build extra North South capacity because the WCML has no further growth then making it a High Speed line as well adds very little extra cost.
Adding this capacity by removing path hungry express trains from the WCML will allow more suburban, local and freight trains benefitting local travel and taking more trucks off our roads.
So why do you argue these are not 'the greatest benefits'?