Eurotunnel Shuttle

As euro tunnel Le Shuttle is called a car train that transports cars, buses and motorcycles between Coquelles near Calais and Folkestone through the Euro tunnel. Railway companies of the train is the Euro Tunnel Euro tunnel operator Groupe SA.

Description

The train consists of two Euro Tunnel -class -9- power cars and lined up between one-and two -story enclosed car coaches. Overall, the Euro Tunnel shuttle are 58 of these six-axle 5.6 MW and 7 MW powerful electric locomotives available. Depending on the time of day traveled up to four trains per hour the route.

There is no own car, the passengers remain at or near their vehicle. For this reason, the train is also equipped with toilets in every third car. The driving time is 35 minutes, total crossing (motorway exit Calais motorway entrance Folkestone ) takes about 90 minutes. The shuttle is so since the retirement of the hovercraft between Calais and Dover in 2000, the fastest connection by car to the island.

Dimensions

The gauge of trains is 5.60 m high and 4.10 m wide. This is much wider than the typical European profile with a maximum height of 4.65 m and a maximum width of 3.15 m. For this reason, the vehicles can only travel between the two Tunnelendbahnhöfen. At this a turning loop is installed in each. These two turning loops are traversed in the opposite direction, so that the wear of the left and right wheels on the shuttle remains the same.

Security

The safety provisions of the Euro tunnel state that all passenger trains (ie the shuttle and the Euro Star ) must have at both ends of locomotives. These must both be occupied, so that the train in case of emergency can reverse quickly. Also attending security personnel with the trains.

The cars are also sealed with fireproof doors and pressure tight. Between the cars exist small doors for passengers. This will automatically close after passing.