In a significant development for Britain's flagship rail project, the first of two massive tunnelling machines has begun excavating HS2's route towards Euston station in central London. This major engineering milestone proceeds despite persistent doubts surrounding the funding and completion timeline for the Euston terminus itself.
Madeleine Begins Her 18-Month Journey
Named Madeleine in honour of Madeleine Nobbs, former president of the Women's Engineering Society, the colossal 190-metre machine launched operations on Tuesday 27th January 2026. Manufactured in Germany by Herrenknecht AG and transported to Old Oak Common in sections, Madeleine was reassembled using a 750-tonne crane that lowered components into an underground box at the station's eastern end.
The tunnelling machine is projected to spend approximately 18 months carving out a 4.5-mile path from Old Oak Common in west London toward the planned Euston terminus. A second machine will follow in the coming months, with both working to excavate and construct the twin-bore tunnel that will reach depths of up to 50 metres beneath the capital.
Political Oversight and Optimistic Statements
The launch ceremony was overseen by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones and rail minister Lord Hendy, both of whom struck optimistic tones about the project's progress. "There's nothing boring about tunnel boring," declared Mr Jones, adding that the launch represented "a brilliant moment for the UK's railways" that would boost connections between cities and create opportunities for trade and social interaction.
Lord Hendy described the machine as "an engineering marvel" that brings "HS2's journey to Euston another step closer to reality." He emphasised the government's commitment to "putting HS2 back on track" and highlighted the project's potential to deliver jobs, homes, and a long-term economic boost.
Euston Station: The Persistent Problem
Despite this progress in tunnel construction, significant uncertainty continues to cloud the development of Euston station itself. Major construction work at the central London site has been halted since March 2023 due to ongoing funding questions, forcing HS2 services to initially terminate at Old Oak Common when operations begin.
The funding model for Euston has undergone multiple revisions in recent years. In October 2023, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the project would rely on private investment in an attempt to save £6.5 billion of taxpayers' money, removing responsibility from HS2 Ltd. Following the change of government, the Labour administration announced in June 2025 that a Euston Delivery Company would be formed to oversee development, with private finance options still under consideration.
Cost Escalation and Timeline Delays
HS2's journey has been marked by substantial cost increases and repeated delays. Originally estimated at £37.5 billion (at 2009 prices) for the entire planned network in 2013, the project has seen its scope severely curtailed by Conservative governments concerned about spiralling costs. The extensions from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds have been scrapped entirely.
By June 2024, HS2 Ltd assessed the cost for just the London to Birmingham line would reach up to £66 billion. The opening timeline has similarly slipped dramatically from an initial target of the end of 2026 to between 2029 and 2033, with even this revised schedule now confirmed as unachievable.
Leadership Confidence Amid Challenges
HS2 chief executive Mark Wild, who began his role in December 2024, expressed confidence that the tunnelling launch demonstrated commitment to bringing HS2 into central London. "The start of tunnelling here today is a part of the strong foundations we can build upon to completing HS2 and deliver better journeys for rail passengers," he stated.
Mr Wild is leading a comprehensive reset across the project and will publish a revised cost and schedule following his review later this year. Despite the significant challenges facing the Euston station development, the commencement of tunnelling operations represents tangible progress on one element of this complex infrastructure project that continues to shape Britain's transport future.
