The Digging Leviathan

[ffutures]

Because I've been busy all day I forgot to post that the first Giant Tunnelling Machine of Doom AKA Phyllis was moved east along the cutting towards the tunnel mouth overnight - I heard that it was due to start digging today, and I'd imagine that if that's right it will be busily chewing its way through the clay etc. by the time I get home. No photos, since I could only see a sliver of the top of it this morning; at the weekend I'll make another pilgramage to the footbridge and see if I can get some nice pictures of spoil removal etc.

Next milestone should be the arrival of leviathan #2. Some time after that it would be really nice if they finished digging up the end of my road so that I can get to work without taking my bike over 20+ humps, but I'm not holding my breath waiting...

Comments

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you'll get a good view of it when the mole people commandeer it and chew their way through your kitchen floor.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

The good part of livinjg where I am is that they would have to take the machines around in a circle to reach me - I don't think it corners very sharply, so we're probably talking a route of a couple of kilometres to reach my house, or several months of digging. I think I can risk it.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Will Olympic Digging be a new event this summer?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Olympic roadworks-avoiding maybe - this area has more holes than the average battlefield right now. The tunnel won't have got very far by the time the Olympics start - the project's due for completion in 2018.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

I was rather surprised, after reading a couple of your blog postings about the machines, to hear a story about them on National Public Radio (I listen to the Chicago station). Hey! I know a guy who lives right around there!

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised - I didn't think Crossrail had attracted much attention outside the UK, but I suppose it is one of the biggest tunnel projects in the world.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Yes. I thought it would only be covered in the underground press.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Groan!

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Any idea if there's a podcast or story on their site? I took a look but couldn't find anything, can you remember when it aired?

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Here's the story from NPR's Weekend Edition: "London Starts Digging Massive Transit Tunnels", with audio (5:29) and transcript.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks!