Chunnel is 20 years old and finally in profit

By : Administrator
Published 6th May 2014 |
Read latest comment - 6th May 2014

20 years since the Channel Tunnel opened, doesn't seem possible!

After spiralling construction costs the project has always been dogged with debt, but apparently the owners finally turned a profit in 2012.

Some great Chunnel facts from the Beeb.

My favourite is:

"Two of the 11, mighty boring machines used to dig the thing are still down there, buried. Funnily enough, they don't fit them with a reverse gear, so it was cheaper to put in a 90-degree turn and bury them in the wall, rather than dismantle them and bring them out."

How's that for a time capsule for future generations to ponder over


Steve Richardson
Gaffer of My Local Services
My Local Services | Me on LinkedIn
Comments

So how did they get the other 2 out ?????

Still yet to use the chunnel, much as i hate sailing, still prefer to be above the water than under it.


Clive

I went through the channel tunnel last year when I drove from Doncaster to Germany. Actually, it's very quick and simple. It is also very difficult for your brain to take in that you are indeed 300ft or thereabouts, below the sea! It's just like being on a train in a tunnel that isn't moving (as you can barely feel it move apart from when it slants downwards and then back up at each end so you can feel a very slight sensation of going forward and one of going up, but it is very slight. Moreso you can slightly feel the brakes being applied as it comes out the other end and needs to slow down. It's actually quicker than the time they state on the website. About 20 mins and there is a slow 20mph ride of a few minutes from the point the train leaves the station to actually entering the tunnel and likewise couple or few mins as you come out of the tunnel into daylight and approach the station to drive off. Then likewise, you drive out and onto the road. All dead simple and would prefer this way every time if there was a tunnel in every port.


indizine
indizine

This Thread is now closed for comments