HS2 Old Oak Common Station Construction
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2023
- HS2 invited us down to the site of Old Oak Common station - the new mega interchange station out in West London, to see the station Box - where the platforms will be - which is now well under way in terms of construction.
Londonists Matt Brown has photos and an article here : londonist.com/london/transpor...
Thanks to HS2 for the additional images and Drone footage.
I even managed to put my gloves on the right way round this time! 😂
This isn't normal, are you alright? Are you sick? Your gloves are on the right way 😮
Lol
What about the rest of your attire 😉
Check out Brent Cross west
Good job! You deserve a medal Geoff! Lol
The chat about lowering the road to admit double decker buses reminds me of how good and seamless transport projects can be when the government and planners allow them to be
YEP ! some US railroad bridges only allow the smallest automobiles ( ! ) ...... DAVE™🛑
Hopefully when the road is lowered, the pavement is left flat. Too often you see under rail lines the pavement follows the road into a dip, when obviously there is no need to have tall clearances on a pavement, and it can add a lot of unnecessary difficulty to e.g. wheelchair users or someone needing to push a buggy.
@@davidfalconer8913 well, the bridge has probably been there 150 years and we've had double deckers for about a century so they've managed to do it quite quickly. Yeah. The US isn't always doing worse than us on rail.
Hopefully goes a bit more smoothly than the road lowering under the railway on Botley Road in Oxford. Road is closed for 18 months as they kept finding more things under the bridge!
@@gavinjamieI’d heard it was closed but wasn’t sure why! Funny, as I was also thinking of it as a great example for one where the pavement doesn’t dip anywhere near as much as the road - but that was in the old form!
With all the depressing news about HS2 cuts, it's encouraging to see that SOMEthing is still getting built and that it'll be really good. I'm hoping that it'll be as good as the Lizzie line, and then people will badger the government to re-think their stupid plans to scrap the northern legs.
It's not stupid to scrap a waste of money. They should've scrapped HS2 completely
@@DS9TREK It wouldn't have been a waste of money if they'd stuck to the original plan and if there wasn't poor planning and corruption involved.
The corrupt government sold off the ROWs of HS2 and essentially made sure to make it difficult to rework/reboot the project such as this.
@@DS9TREKThere's no better way of wasting money than scrapping something that you've half built. The next best way of wasting money is failing to build the bit that makes the bit you have built really useful!
@@sydnorth5868 precisely
I love Hwu! He is one of the most knowledgeable construction persons that I have seen on Camera. He can just talk and talk, and you never lose interest or attention. I hope he will stay available as a communicator for the HS2 Projects he is assigned to.
Absolutely, can see why they decided to put him on camera! Really informative.
*h w u*
Why doesn’t half big it up to what is a white elephant won’t reach the north and doesn’t even go in to central London waste of tax payers money. Sorry about the rant Geoff as loved your vids for years and nothing against you or your channel keep up the good work
Huw has such a punchy, to-the-point method of delivery. Very effective, very authoritative, you know he is an expert once he finishes his sentence. He is a terrific spokesman for HS2 and Network Rail.
Update: I'm in the States, so I did not know Huw was a former BBC news presenter with years of broadcast training and experience. He seems happier in this job, too. Talking about construction will do that to a media person who likes being around things being built. (Plus, network news can be soul-sucking; been in the industry myself, done that, glad to be gone.) All makes sense now; he's a great hire for the p.r. aspects of HS2. Well done, Network Rail.
@@k.r.baylor8825 He's a different Huw Edwards. This one has cool hair.
Good to see Huw Edwards back on his feet, and found a new job, well done him
That disguise is incredible! 😂
@@genericfootyfan Not to mention Russell Brand's disguise at 0:33!
I wish more people could view these films as gives a lot of context as to why these projects become so expensive. For example, let's lower the road under a bridge, looks straight forward on paper. However there are then multiple utilities under that road that then have to isolated and rerouted. So much in construction that Joe public does not see.
These are the videos that Geoff does the best IMHO - top work!
Nothing like a winter Geoff Marshall video.
Well there's nothing like a Geoff Marshall video. Always give you a warm feeling!
Even if we're lightyears away from HS2
New drinking game: Drink a shot every time someone in this video says 'Box'...
Death by alcohol poisoning is a possible side effect!
I'd suggest trying that during a formula 1 race
Huw is an excellent spokesperson. Good video, Geoff.
Interesting video as always, Geoff! Thanks. Glad you didn't spend too much time covering the bit about making the holes for the tunnels, as some might consider it boring
😂😂
Thanks for finding some humour in what for practically all of the UK, is £££££££££££££££££ pain without gain. Unless you're a consultant or engineering contractor. BTW, sorry if there aren't enough £-symbols there
I hope when they lower the road under the bridge that they add a pavement on the other side, add a double cycle lane to both, and keep them at the same height. No need to lower the pedestrian/cycle part just because buses/cars can't fit.
HS2 might not be everyone's cup of tea but I'm certainly looking forward to seeing stations like Old Oak Common open.
Yeah! Its going to be an amazing interchange. If they also build a interchange at West Hampstead & Willesden Junction then we would have some nice stations to get off at to avoid central.
It is everyones cup of tea, they just don't know it, and should have no say in it.
Great video! I’m very much looking forward to that station opening! It’ll be epic! Thanks for showing us the station, progress looks promising!
Great video. Its fascinating to hear the guys involved explain what they are doing, they make it so much easier to understand.
I had the pleasure of working with Huw on the London Overground, a great ambassador for Railways!
Definitely appreciate having this insight! There is so much I just haven't known about Old Oak Common station, and since it's burden responsibility for HS2, I really hope the development is a met success. I really should try vising the site from outside, overtime. It feels like a London Train-network project like no other. Hope to see more updates from you Geoff! Will definitely want to be there for it's opening day!
It's great to see work is still progressing here, I know you don't touch the politics (given the state of political discourse on the internet, with good reason) but it's very disappointing to see how badly everything other than Brum to Old Oak has progressed, hopefully a day will come when you can hop on a high speed train at Euston and walk off at Mcr Picc (or, dare I say it, Leeds 😅).
i avoid the politics very much, yes! couldn't not ask about Euston though. i am still hoping that in the future ( but probbably not in my lifetime tbh ) that HS2 will go beyond Birmingham, the country deserves decent infrastructure.
@@geofftech2I agree we do ss someone that was waiting for hs4 to be completed to get faster trains its very disappointing for the north to be neglected yet again
Yes,if they're going to pour such immense amounts of public money into the project,they've got to do it right. There's no point in spending so much on something that at the end of it falls short the purpose it's meant to serve.
@rjjcms1 the problem its already happened the line won't be finished because the starting section ended up overbudget
@@geofftech2 I think the Tunnels will be done because they are relatively cheap. Whether their a station waiting for those tunnels who knows at this point. I think common sense means the tunnels have to start in 2026 or otherwise to much of the infrastructure, like casting the tunnel segments will start to be dismantle because of lack of work. `
I like the man at the end of the video who tells us to press like, comment and subscribe. He's great!
❤
Very informative and showed the scale of the project really well. Shame about the weather. Very informative guides on site too. I know its a controversial topic and some in the comments will be banging on about waste of money etc, but this is exactly what they said about the Elizabeth Line and look how amazing that turned out to be.
Dan W
Great video Geoff, incredible engineering 👌👍
GEOFF!!! I have been watching your videos for so long!! Keep up the good work posting all these videos regulary!
Thank you for sharing this video Geoff that was very interesting with great information. ❤
Just a shame they didn't go with my suggestion of 'Wormwood Scrubs Parkway'....
For those trying to imagine the main line station, the layout will be the same footprint as Reading from platform 8 to 15 - with all trains calling there.
Great video, I always enjoy your special invitation days. My understanding is that the TBM’s for the tunnels west of Old Oak Common station(Northolt East tunnel) will be launched in a westbound direction from the Victoria road crossover box and the 360m of tunnel between the crossover and station box will be built using road headers, a more traditional method to the TBM’s. The delay for the eastbound TBM’s is disappointing.
Very exciting to see, love the videos, Geoff keep it up!
Wow, all this for the Birmingham shuttle service!
Some serious engineering goimg on for sure and love those telescopic Hitachi machines. The ZX350's have a dig depth of about 28m or nearly 92 feet. Previously a crane with a skip or kibble was used for shaft sinking. Digging out a box would probably entail track loaders filling tippers via a haul road, sonthis is all very streamlined here!
Exactly your first sentence. However, until (if) HS2 gets to Euston, it will be quicker to go from there to New Street on the WCML. Not this side of 2030. So much for levelling-up for the North.
No it is not as trains will still go to Manchester on HS2 as far as Litchfield here they will join the WCML to Manchester
Yes, it's probably best for them to finish OOC as planned, changing the design/spec at this stage of the build would be problematic
@@railotaku It is not planned to terminate OOC as there are no facilities to terminate trains there.
@@peterwilliamallen1063 It will temporarily teminate at OOC until Euston is finished but not even Euston is worth it anymore as Rishi just watered down the project with fewer platforms which is VERY short term thinking.
Great video as always. I'd love to hear about those safety measures you mentioned Huw talking about at the end.
Hi Geoff, perhaps a lens hood will help to keep the rain of your lens. That's if you haven't already done so. Excellent work as usual by the way.
First, HS1, then Jubilee line (extension), then Thameslink, then Crossrail and finally, HS2. Even existing railways would run maintenance costs. This shows how the construction industry is always under construction and maintains one after another.
you what?
I had the pleasure of Hosting Huw today at my axes lanes in Colchester, Essex.
Turns out we have the same motorbike instructor!
Best of luck in the future and us here at Game of Throwing look forward to your return!
Looking at the monumental pointlessness of HS2 *NOW*, maybe Huw's banking on motorbikes is voting with his feet/££££ from POV of wisdom
Hew Edwards has such an enviable voice! I could listen to him all day!
He perfected that voice during his time on television.
@@_JohnDoe living in the US, I’ve never heard him before…love that clear, resonant voice.
Thank you . Another great video.😀
I go past Old Oak Common many times on journeys from my home of Oxford to Paddington, Geoff.
An excellent rainy video, sir.
You'll be able to admire the white elephant in future, then
Excellent video Geoff!!!
WOW HS2 is really happening. Some great auditing has been done at a few of these sites too
All very impressive, but with recent shenanigans regarding the various cancelled destinations, it's sort of looking much too big for the reduced service now instead of the grand plans it was all originally planned for.
My guess is it will be most useful as an Elizabeth Line hub, replacing Paddington’s current role
Cool massive project.
It reminds me of Turin Porta Susa station. The underground part
I love looking at it every time I go along the Elizabeth Line west of Paddington
Impressed with Huw from HS2, knows his stuff.
Great video to show off the magnitude of the project. After the station opens would you be able to do a video showing both the construction scene and the in-service condition (such as a before and after)?
Thanks Geoff. Please can we have some coverage of electrification work Kettering-Wigston and also the recent work in Wales.
Great video Geoff. And Hugh is awesome! 😄
It does mean Paddington being closed at Christmas (24-27) for next few years while they do work that impacts the GWML. When completed the Acton to Aston line will have impressive stations at each end of the shuttle.
Brilliant video!
Tell Huw he needs his own TH-cam channel, he's a great communicator.
he appears in several videos on the official HS2 channel!
Looks great. I thinking of the first Noddy book and he and Big Ears are building his house. Noddy tells Big Ears, Let's put on the roof first, that way if it rains we won't get wet. I guess they took Noddy's advice and did it after all.
Awesome Video Geoff
Amazing video Geoff, as always. These are your best. Huw is absolutely great. It's beyond dissapointing that on top of the Northern sections past Birmingham being cancelled, the section to Euston is being 'delayed'... I hope it all does end up happening.
Though to be honest, I personally believe the worst HS2 loss for London is that the North London Line (Overground) won't have a station at Old Oak Common, meaning that it'll be far far harder for residents of both North and South London to access HS2. You probably should've mentioned this aspect Geoff.
I can imagine why Geoff the LS2 Enthusiast didn't mention that.
@@daffyduk77 shut up, please do.
Is it now confirmed the West London Orbital is not happening? I thought it was still a potential that it was going to happen.
@@RR-yj9yy i dont think the proposals ever got very far
@@Nooticus I read that decision is due early 2024, so I think Old Oak Common Lane overground still in the frame currently, and would make sense especially now that HS2 will terminate at Old Oak Station for 10 years/forever.
I remember when a station box controlled the points and signals. Every station had one.
Lol....which is exactly what I did when I was a signalman on B R...Crystal Palace, Hayes (Kent), Leigham Junction and Twickenham West Junction Box
Its gonna look amazing
So excited to see HS2 bring constructed, will be great for the Birmingham and W.Mids, helping to level up the Midlands
Yes, Brummies will be rushing to visit OOC
I would like to see what Old Oak Common HS2 station will look like once it’s completed. And not forgetting Hythe Road and Old Oak Common Lane stations to be built. Which would add a connection between London Overground, HS2, GWR and Elizabeth Line. Such a shame that HS2 isn’t going to expand to Manchester and the North of England. As it’s costing too much money.
It should’ve started in the north of England it’s just another London project to Birmingham, which on paper is actually less influential than Manchester both in terms of GDP and train and air passenger traffic via Manchester airport, 3rd busiest airport in UK, busiest outside London metro
It's become an indulgence to prove we can build them like the French, but without any economic & practical justification
True.
@@daffyduk77What a load of ****, the core trunk network is reaching capacity, growing freight traffic and local services is impossible because unlike most modern nations we did not segregate our passenger inter-city traffic from freight in the post-war years believing foolishly instead that the road network and aviation industry would save us. Rail traffic has been growing for decades now, this is nothing to do with "the French". Would love to hear you solution about solving the rail network capacity issue and why you wouldnt build to the international guage standard or try to build in a straight a line as possible!!!!!
@@gregjalepeno6769 No doubt the Rail buffs can put me straight on this one, I thought the UK invented 4ft 8 1/2 & that's what we & they use in the EU etc but no doubt there's more to it than that. I was never advocating reverting to GWR Broad Gauge or anything like that. there are numerous reasons why HS2 has gone into the buffers IMO, & a straighter line might have been do-able before Ernest Marples & the RHF-lobby in the 50s had made Britain so road-oriented. I think, being 1st in the rail game made us more fossilised re: inability to build a network with future expansion potential. The power of local competing interests have militated against double-decker trains (bridge sizes & pre-existing structures etc). I suspect technological fixes are possible re: signalling/safety systems to enable higher/greater throughput on existing track, costing less than £100 billion perhaps
Geoff : "Slightly rainy, slightly wet" ... is an understatement, it looks totally miserable!
Great footage of the project though, can't wait to see it completed.
No its nothing since its the UK.
New Geoff Marshall, Colin furze and Simon wilson videos uploaded in the same day…happy days
That logistics tunnel TBM is actually an old Crossrail TBM they are reusing.
I still love hs2
Ahh, brings back memories of the Legends of the Great Western day in 2017. The size of the queue to get in 😮
Great video
I remember when you could drive HSTs over the top of all that mess 🙂
@Geoff Marshall - I live very close to where you were! What I'm hoping is they extend the bus routes at the East Acton terminus to Old Oak Common. That would be super convenient! I doubt that TfL would ever run double decker buses on the 228 since it is never busy when I'm on it. However, they will likely extend the buses from East Acton! I hope... 😅
When do you ride the bus? And also don't you think it will get more busy when OOC will open.
@@Mgameing123 Plus there's going to be a ton of new development around the station in the coming decades, the area around the station is going to become essentially a big new town centre with thousands of new homes
@@Mgameing123 OMG, of course, but I've never really seen it that busy. When it does open, all the buses from East Acton will probably cover that though.
@@MythTrainProductions It will still get this single decker bus route to have higher demand.
@@liamness Thats amazing. I can imagine living there. I think OOC will become part of Central London as the area would have very high demand to live there.
Great video Jeff, such a shame that this isn’t needed any more. Nobody from Bristol or South Wales
is going to go to Birmingham that way when you can just go via Cheltenham on the West Coast mainline still never mind!
Cheltenham is not on the West Coast Mainline
Great video as always, god I hope it gets all the way into the city though, otherwise it really is just an expensive way to get somewhere in the same amount of time.
Do you think that large passenger numbers being brought into the Park Royal vicinity will give incentive for the "Dudding Hill" line to become a passenger Overground service?
It's a huge shame that HS2 isn't coming to Euston
it's currently 50/50 - even within upper government they are arguing over it.
Very Huge & Spaceful 😳🚂🚂🚂
Nice work going on just tragic it’s always down south
HS2 must be fully built from Euston to Manchester and Leeds
Very interesting Geoff, thanks. Are they saying when they expect this station to open?
I love the clash between newness and the name Old Oak.
They ought to re-name it to make it redolent of its part of a huge waste of cash. Maybe Olde Money Pit.
How do you think rail capacity should be resolved then?@@daffyduk77
@@DT-hg7te As mentioned in my replies elsewhere on this issue, I'm not a rail expert ... I have an impression greater throughput of trains through upgraded safety-related electronics/standards/signalliing systems would improve train frequencies, possibly average speeds also. Possibly at times longer trains might be possible where *certain* stations can handle them. And/or lengthen a few stations.
Anyone know if the paused euston works/ the works mentioned in the end of this video will include Euston underground being made wheelchair accessible/ step free.?
This will be fine as the HS2 terminus.
It's nice seeing the construction of Britian's newest London terminus, if it ever gets put into service.
I'm sure it will be a magnificent terminus station to rival the Victorian greats of Paddington, St Pancras etc. It's just a shame it's going to be a terminus in a place that no one wants to get to
OOC is not a terminal station it is being constructed as a through station and Euston will be the terminus.
Only if private funding is found. Note the bit in the video where they commit to putting the TBMs in the ground before finishing the station but make no commitment to actually start building the tunnel to Euston
@@user-xl6bk2gd3f Sorry I disagree, the Government is leading people on, for example the Prime minister stated that he is cancelling the HS2 line to Manchester, result every one thinks that the HS2 line and trains will not go past Birmingham, incorrect as the HS2 line is being built North from Birmingham to Lichfield where the HS2 line will be connected to the existing WCML for trains to travel on to Manchester, next OOC is being built as a through station with no facilities to terminate trains so they can lay over between services, it is only being built for trains to stop at and allow passengers off and then carry on . The TBM's are still going to construct the tunnels from OOC to Euston as once OOC is open this work would not be able to be carried on plus Euston is now being built with 6 instead of 11 platforms with a 7th platform for duel use of HS2 trains and WCML trains, every one reads the national anti HS2 papers, if you read Railway Periodicals you would see the correct idea of things
Geoff Marshall I like all of your videos
Hear hear 🙂
what about the overground? it sits between 2 overground branches, will it serve them?
What news of the useful link to Overground line(s)?
As someone who lives in Scotland, any news about HS2 just makes me sad as unlike to see any direct benefit to the trips I do to London. Such a same it’s been cut back to just a south England project.
Just a London project. No benefit to most other places
There will be fewer services to Birmingham in your way. Not a huge benefit I agree.
Will any Glasgow/Edinburgh services be certified to run on the new line? It seems logical that they will.
But I agree that Scotland deserves better.
The UK is building great rail infrastructure and has great rolling stock. The next challenge is run all the trains on the timetable to time with minimal cancellations. TPE’s answer is to remove lots of trains from the timetable so they can reduce cancellations!
I have lived all my life in NW London yet, until recently, I had never heard of this "Old Oak Common" of which you speak. Still not all that sure where it is TBH - all part of that amorphous "Acton" area? 😄
It’s on the site of a major rail depot that was called Old Oak Common, it appears to be a primarily industrial area. It’s located between Kensal Green and North Acton on the map
You can easily see why the cost went from a 32 billion budget assessment to 100 billion and still rising. The 32 billion estimate was a 2 line estimate comprising 200 miles x £x million a mile plus 24% contingency equals 32 billion. But the detail has bridge lowering, bridge raising, unforeseen ground conditions, thousands of highway alterations, thousands of planning conditions equals 100 billion plus. And the contracts for the track and trains are currently out to tender so the cost for these items are unknown (my estimate 150 billion plus)
Impressive
why isn't the districy line being extended north forom kensington olypi to meet hs2 at old oak common.
Hard to think of it as much of a superhub anymore when it will only really serve trains to Birmingham now. An interchange feels a lot more appropriate.
No trians will still continue beyond but only on existing lines
yeah. And Curzon Street. WTF
Hi Geoff, I have 2 potential topics of debate for you:
1) When HS2 reaches Euston Station, do you think TFL will consider extending more underground lines to Euston to meet the extra demand, or will they just make HS2 passengers use the already rammed Northern and Victoria lines?
2) When Old Oak Common station finally opens, do you think TFL may think about extending underground lines to the station, for example the Central, District or Piccadilly lines that already serve west London? Or possibly build a bus station there? Or even both? Having said that though, they might not extend the Piccadilly line because that already goes to Heathrow Airport.
I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are on these matters 😀
Euston is one of the worst underground stations and stations in general it’s a nightmare getting on the northern line that branches out
They've said there'll be a connection to the Elizabeth line at OOC. I reckon there'll be a station to serve the North London line too......
@@markcf83 Wow, that simple change will transform the case for this whole white elephant. NOT.
4:30 by my maths, it is equivalent to a 15 storey building 🤪
Are there any plans for a link to the Overground?
No. The new overground station nearby is unfunded. Need to walk to Willesden junction
@@jackitlondonfrom what I know they are.
Hythe Road and Old Oak Common Lane stations are proposed for the Overground and will be close to Old Oak Common.
Looks pretty new to me
It's sad to think that the station will never see 250k passengers every day as the HS2 project continue to shrink to the point that trains will have no where to go except out to a dead end and back to the station. One train a day to Birmingham? That's very possible!
HS2 will run into Euston and the line is being constructed as far as Lichfield in Staffordshire where the HS2 line will join the WCML allowing HS2 trains to travel to Manchester and Scotland via the WCML and Avanti West Coast train will be transferred from running on the WCML in most cases to operate on the HS2 line so there will be more than one train a day to Birmingham
There's a new government coming in. I'd take a rain check on what the exact final fate of the project will be, for good or ill
@@jamesharris5707 Doesn't matter who is in charge HS2 is to far gone to be cancelled, Euston will go ahead and the only bit cancelled is the high speed line from Lichfield to Manchester
@@peterwilliamallen1063 yeah HS2 trains that will now be shorter (platform length means the HS2 trains have to be split awkwardly) and slower (because they wont be tilting) on legacy track than current West Coast Line trains. What a brilliant plan by Rishi!
@@gregjalepeno6769 I does not matter how long the HS2 trains are, on the HS2 section they still will do 225 MPH and the Trains from Birmingham will be full length, plus no one has said longer platforms will not be built at Manchester Piccadilly plus as they will not stop between Manchester and Birmingham Interchange there is no reason if the increase platform lengths ayt Manchester that these trains will have to split.
The sped f these trains on the WCML as far as Crewe is concerned is debatable as the only trains on the WCML restricted to 110 MPH are the LNWR electric multiple units and there are no curves between Lichfield and Crewe that would restrict these trains on this section of the West Coast mainline and Inter City 125 Diesel units have been doing 125MPH for 50 years on normal track all over the country, and the Pendolino trains are the only trains in the UK that can tilt and that was so Virgin trains could up the speed of their trains on the tight curvature North of Crewe and south of Rugby, no one has predicted this speed and as usual one person puts their view over and every an and his dog believes it
All above London as usual and by the time you have got from burnt oak to central London you might as well have just used the existing service
Always wondered what Huw Edwards would do after his time at the BBC.
When will we see a mock up of the train that will be on HS2? Will it be similar to the Javelin?
Will it be served by the Central and North London lines too?
The machine that you called a soil grabber is called a chameleon, it’s made by Hitachi
At least the Japanese will get some benefit from this exercise in burning money
Nice to see How Edwards got a new job after the BBC
Well I think interchange is ambitieus, this will probably be the Terminus for the next 100years
5:56 Sam (of the HS2 project team, I guess) says "We expect 250,000 passengers every day". I guess, that is HS2 passengers only. And I also guess, those are the estimates of the station being an intermediate station, not a terminus. What I'm taking away from this, is that the station is built to handle 250,000 (+) passengers per day - as an intermediate station. But how fit would it be as a terminal station, that would take up all the passengers estimated for Euston (HS2) additionally?
Don't worry, if it became *the* terminal there'd be few if any extra passengers. What would be the point ?
"We'd start at Paddington and finish at Swindon." LOL He's not wrong...
Huw has amazing camera presence
A+ Tour
Are they still going to build the link to the Chiltern Main Line?