IN PICTURES: Giant HS2 TBM cutterhead’s impressive journey back to start second dig in Warwickshire

Dramatic photos and video capture the night-time transportation of HS2’s Long Itchington Wood Tunnel TBM’s giant cutterhead back to the tunnel’s north portal site in Warwickshire.

After HS2’s first tunnel breakthrough by Tunnel Boring Machine ‘Dorothy’ at the south portal site in July this year, the front part of the TBM has been dismantled and transported back to the tunnel’s north portal in a 24/7 intricate operation, managed by the plant and logistics team at HS2’s contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV).

• Night-time operation in Warwickshire takes the giant ‘Dorothy’ Tunnel Boring Machine’s cutterhead back to Long Itchington Wood Tunnel north portal
• Impressive sight as the 160 tonne cutterhead was moved upright on a 12 metre-long, 48-wheel Self Propelled Trailer (SPT) on its 2.5 mile journey
• Once reassembled, ‘Dorothy’ will start her second tunnel bore later this year
• Pictures here: https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/resources/f/construction/midlands-tunnels-and-cuttings/long-itchington-wood-tunnel-2/dorothy-tbm-cutterhead-move
• Video here: https://youtu.be/RxzRo9LdMjM