please empty your brain below
In the video it looked like one of the wagons was derailed on the working model. Thankfully, the big version is a bit more robust.

Petras409 | 06.05.19 - 8:20 a.m. | #

Almost every coach on the model is derailed! It's s wonder it still ran.

Joho | Homepage | 06.05.19 - 10:05 a.m. | #

Reminds me of the trains I used to see from time to time on the Thameslink route, with the commemorative plaque. IanVisits wrote about them for the 20th anniversary. They may still be in use somewhere on the network.

Andrew | 06.05.19 - 1:51 p.m. | #

I went on one of those very first train trips into the tunnel, that are mentioned in Andrews link.

John | 06.05.19 - 4:09 p.m. | #

I well remember the model layout from the visitor centre. I was disappointed when the centre was closed as it was a good place to take (then) young son and friends. I'm glad the model survives, even in a slightly derailed state!

My mother-in-law still has the certificate she received as an early-ish passenger under the channel. (I'm a bit disappointed that they no longer make them available as I didn't get one!)

Rob | 06.05.19 - 7:22 p.m. | #

Neither of the two units that went into the tunnel (319008 and 319009) are currently in service, but one of them is being converted to a "bimode" Class 769 and is earmarked for Transport for Wales.

The reason units from that rather humdrum class were chosen for the honour was that no Eurostar train had yet been completed and so it was, at the time, the only type that could operate on the electrical supply on the London to Folkestone route, and also the supply in the tunnel.

timbo | 07.05.19 - 12:19 a.m. | #

I went on an even earlier Eurotunnel trip, shareholders were offered the chance to be passengers on a practice run several months before it was due to open, all free.
I went with a carload of friends who all found it interesting and of course the chance to get lots of dutyfree alcohol was a bonus.
One finding was that mobile phones interfered with various essential controls; at that time mobiles were quite rare so this was a new concept to everybody.
Somewhere I have a certificate saying I was on the first passenger train through the tunnel.

amber | 07.05.19 - 7:20 a.m. | #

A bit further along the cliffs (in the direction of Dover) you get a good view of Samphire Hoe, a park build on land made out of Channel Tunnel spoil. Worth noting the huge tunnel ventilation installation at one end.

dg writes: Blogged.

NDW walker | 07.05.19 - 10:40 a.m. | #

I will be going through the tunnel for the first time in January next year on the way to Switzerland which has recently opened the Gottard Base Tunnel which at 57km is the longest rail tunnel in the world.
I remember watching the break through live on tv. Only taken 25 or so years since it opened to actually go through it. The ferry was cheaper.

Even through I will being going on Eurostar I have actually driven through a computer version of the Terminal courtesy of Promods addon to Euro Truck Sim 2.

Rick | 09.05.19 - 11:31 p.m. | #











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