A new temporary exhibition has opened at Thinktank in Birmingham charting the construction of the ambitious tunnels currently under way as part of the HS2 project.
The award-winning science museum is appropriately located opposite the site of the new flagship station at Curzon Street. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the construction works under way to build the viaducts which will route the trains into the new station.
The exhibition, which will run until 12 January 2024, has been curated by HS2's West Midlands construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV).
It will look at the history of tunnelling as well as the many technological advances which have taken place over time.
The story of HS2's construction will also be told. A replica model of ‘Dorothy', the 2,000-tonne tunnel boring machine – or TBM – can be viewed. ‘Dorothy' is currently hard at work excavating the tunnels in Warwickshire. The exhibition also includes interesting and fun facts about the construction of the line and is designed to help young people understand the complexities of constructing a high-speed railway. It is hoped that the next generation of engineers will take some inspiration from the exhibition.
During half term, from Monday 30 October until Friday 3 November, construction workers and engineers from BBV as well as representatives from its supply chain, will be giving a series of talks at the gallery, thus enhancing the overall experience of visitors.
Later in November, BBV employees will work with staff from Thinktank to provide interactive science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workshops. Forming part of the exhibition's wider programme, sessions will involve local schools. Pupils will learn about the HS2 project and will also be able to find out about career pathways within the industry.
Shilpi Akbar, Head of Stakeholder and Communities at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “This fascinating exhibition, featuring our model tunnel boring machine, is a great opportunity to showcase to the region how we're helping to deliver HS2 right here in the Midlands.
“Visitors can learn about how we've tunnelled underneath ancient woodland in Warwickshire, and the three-and-a-half mile tunnel currently underway between Water Orton and Washwood Heath in Birmingham. By bringing this highly skilled and innovative work to new audiences, we hope it inspires the next generation of tunnellers and engineers. That's exactly the type of legacy we want to leave for this region.”
Laurence Butler, Museum Manager at Thinktank, added: “We are excited to have the tunnel boring model on display to enable visitors to Thinktank to learn about how the tunnels are being created for the HS2 line between Birmingham and London.
“This exhibit will highlight a new range of STEM careers as options for the future as well as show how modern technology and engineering allow a tunnel to be bored, reinforced and made ready for use, all by one advanced – and very large – piece of machinery.”
