aka The Channel Tunnel, the Euro Tunnel or the "Chunnel." 31 miles from France to/from England - right under the English channel at the Strait of Dover. 246 feet at its deepest point. It opened May 6th 1994. Both passenger (via rail) and trucks on train (inter modal) as well as Ro-Ro (roll on-roll off) shuttle service moves through the adjacent 2 tunnels. There is a 3rd tunnel for service vehicles and personnel. In Europe by the way, trucks are generally referred to as "lorries." On 9/11 last week (coincidence?) a fire started in a lorry being carried by rail traveling toward France in the South Tunnel. The North tunnel moves from France to England. Inside one of the tractors was phenol - a toxic (HAZMAT) chemical. The fire raised temperatures inside the tunnel to 1800 degrees. The 32 "passengers" on board - who were the drivers of the trucks being carried on the train - were rescued and just minor injures and smoke inhalation were reported. The fire caused a major traffic backup (cars, buses and trucks) on both the French and English sides of the tunnel. Full service has not yet been restored and terrorism has been ruled out. The credit for the photo is Getty Images.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Le tunnel sous la Manche...
aka The Channel Tunnel, the Euro Tunnel or the "Chunnel." 31 miles from France to/from England - right under the English channel at the Strait of Dover. 246 feet at its deepest point. It opened May 6th 1994. Both passenger (via rail) and trucks on train (inter modal) as well as Ro-Ro (roll on-roll off) shuttle service moves through the adjacent 2 tunnels. There is a 3rd tunnel for service vehicles and personnel. In Europe by the way, trucks are generally referred to as "lorries." On 9/11 last week (coincidence?) a fire started in a lorry being carried by rail traveling toward France in the South Tunnel. The North tunnel moves from France to England. Inside one of the tractors was phenol - a toxic (HAZMAT) chemical. The fire raised temperatures inside the tunnel to 1800 degrees. The 32 "passengers" on board - who were the drivers of the trucks being carried on the train - were rescued and just minor injures and smoke inhalation were reported. The fire caused a major traffic backup (cars, buses and trucks) on both the French and English sides of the tunnel. Full service has not yet been restored and terrorism has been ruled out. The credit for the photo is Getty Images.
