HS2 Bromford Tunnel: Rail Innovations & High-Speed Tech

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Introduction

HS2’s year-long exhibition, part of the ‘Railway 200’ celebrations, opened on Saturday, 27th September, at Birmingham’s Thinktank museum. The exhibition showcases the evolution of railway construction, including the Bromford Tunnel, and highlights HS2’s progress in civil engineering.

Historical Context

The exhibition commemorates 200 years of modern railways, coinciding with the date of the world’s first passenger train journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Visitors can explore the construction of the Kilsby Tunnel, built nearly 200 years ago for the original London to Birmingham railway. The Kilsby Tunnel took approximately five years to complete using pickaxes and dynamite.

HS2 Engineering and Technology

The exhibition presents the construction of the 3.5-mile Bromford Tunnel, linking North Warwickshire and Birmingham, which HS2’s engineers completed in 22 months. An audio-visual experience demonstrates HS2’s advancements in civil engineering and technology, including the sounds of a 1,600-tonne tunnel boring machine (TBM) and a film illustrating its assembly and operation. Two cutter discs from HS2’s TBMs are also on display.

Personal Perspectives

Steve Rocke, Tunnelcraft Pit Boss, managed the underground team that built the Bromford Tunnel. With 43 years of experience in the tunnelling industry, Steve is nearing the end of his civil engineering career. He has spent the last three and a half years working on HS2, and the Bromford Tunnel, is being delivered by HS2’s construction partner in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI. Steve expressed pride in finishing his career on HS2 and in passing his skills to the next generation of tunnellers.

Community Engagement and Future Prospects

Luke Nipen, head of community engagement at HS2 Ltd, emphasized the significance of Birmingham’s railway connection. The exhibition aims to bring the HS2 project to life for visitors of all ages and is located opposite the site of HS2’s terminus station. HS2 has created thousands of opportunities for young people through education programs, work experience placements, and apprenticeships. Toby Watley, director of collections and estate at Thinktank, highlighted the museum’s role in sparking curiosity about the history and future of rail.

Conclusion

The exhibition at Birmingham’s Thinktank museum celebrates 200 years of railways, focusing on the evolution of rail construction and HS2’s current engineering advancements. It features the Bromford Tunnel and highlights the contributions of individuals involved in the project, while also aiming to inspire the next generation of railway professionals.

Company Summary

HS2 Ltd: The company is responsible for the High Speed 2 rail project, which aims to bring high-speed rail to Birmingham. HS2 is striving to inspire the next generation and has already created thousands of opportunities for young people to develop new skills through its education programmes, work experience placements and apprenticeships.

Balfour Beatty VINCI: HS2’s construction partner in the Midlands, working on the Bromford Tunnel.

Thinktank: Birmingham’s Thinktank museum, which is hosting the exhibition. The museum is all about sparking curiosity, and this exhibition gives families the chance to step inside the story of rail – from the early days of Birmingham’s locomotives to the high-speed journeys of the future.

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