Metro goes down London’s newest rail tunnel that’s 100ft underground

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Metro went behind the scenes to see how the high-speed trains will travel into London’s new mega rail hub currently under construction. London is being transformed underground as part of the HS2 works, with giant tunnels built to connect the sprawling Old Oak Common railway station to the line before its final leg to Euston. One of the recently completed excavations is the breakthrough between Old Oak Common and the 1,181 ft (360m) tunnels from the crossover box, creating an 8.8-mile connection to the West Ruislip tunnel, with the final blocks pushed out Jenga-style last month. Metro toured the London-bound tunnel near Old Oak Common with Rail Minister Lord Hendy, located a stone’s throw away from the upcoming hub. Going into the freshly excavated HS2 tunnel in London was a dizzying experience (Picture: Metro) Two London double-decker buses could easily fit through the tunnel (Picture: Justin Griffiths-Williams) It will combine the high-speed, Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express services under one giant roof. After entering through the unassuming-looking shaft on Victoria Road in North Acton, the first gigantic tunnel box opens up. At around 98 feet underground, the first thing to greet visitors is not a digger as you’d expect, but the figure of St Barbara perched on the wall inside a small wooden house. St Barbara, the protector of tunnelling workers (Picture: Justin Griffiths-Williams) She is the patron saint of tunnelling and has to oversee all work, a remnant from the times tunnelling was a highly dangerous job. One HS2 worker told Metro that unless a blessing ceremony is held before works, tunnellers will refuse to start. While the saint stems from Christian tradition, workers from all backgrounds ‘demand a ceremony happens before any tunnelling,’ he said. Latest London news Busy…