Dec 11, 2015 2:32 PM

Gallery: Here's How London Is Making Its Shiny New Tunnels Ready for Trains

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The tunnels of London's Crossrail project have been dug, and now it's time to make them ready for trains. This 1,500-foot long train pours concrete for 80 percent of the new track slab.
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The remaining 20 percent will use a variety of designs to mitigate noise and vibration.

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Four rolling gantries will carry in and lay down more than 70,000 ties.
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That's enough for 35 miles of rail.

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The drilling rig will bore some 250,000 holes into the tunnel’s lining.
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Those will serve as openings for cabling, walkways, fire mains, and the overhead electricity line that will power the trains.

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The Crossrail system has been under construction since 2009.
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The digging turned up a few surprises, including a mass grave from the 17th century.

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The $28-billion Crossrail system is expected to open in 2017.

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