I was invited by Network Rail to ride Class 66 GBRf locomotive from Thamesport on the Isle of Grain, to the HS2 site at West Ruisip to deliver tunnel segments. The train runs late into the night alongside passengers trains, and then takes some freight only curves and tracks in London, all with a view from the cab, as we discuss freight operations on the railways.

My thanks to Simon Kendler and Chris Denham from Network Rail, our driver Tony, along with Pacadar, Skanska Costain Strabag and GB Railfreight.

Drone footage supplied by HS2 Limited.