Cheriton
Shuttle Terminal
17th August 2007
A trio of freight shuttles are in evidence in this view from the North Downs. The shuttle nearest to the camera contains the 1999-introduced ''Arbel'' wagons, which lack the extensive lattice frame-work of the 1994-launched vehicles. The latter can be seen within the next shuttle formation, whilst beyond this, constituting the third freight shuttle, are more Arbel vehicles. The island platform in the foreground is the most recent, having been commissioned during October 2002. © David Glasspool
17th August 2007
The tall black fencing in the background flanks either side of the lines from London and those tracks which form the beginning of the terminal arrival loop. No. 9004 ''Victoria de Los Angeles'' was seen leading a passenger shuttle out of the terminal, with a telescopic hood and single-decked wagons trailing. © David Glasspool
17th August 2007
Both maintenance depot and shuttle stabling sidings are in the background of this view, which shows a freight shuttle – consisting of old-style lattice framework wagons – departing from the terminal. The Chunnel is a 24 hour operation and typically, each shuttle formation – complete with locomotives – will traverse the tunnel no less than twenty times in a single day. © David Glasspool
17th August 2007
A single-decked passenger wagon can accommodate a whole double-decked coach; these wagons can be seen in the consist of the departing shuttle in the above view. Double-decked wagons are designed for carrying cars, and ten such vehicles can be loaded onto a single wagon – i.e. five on the lower deck and five on the upper deck. © David Glasspool
17th August 2007
The fact that shuttles pass through the tunnel 20 times a day means that each formation – locomotives and wagons – are subject to a weekly maintenance check. This takes place at Coquelles and can take up to six hours for a freight shuttle, and up to eight hours for passengers shuttles. The latter comprise an air-conditioning system powered by 308 electric motors, and the extensive electronic systems on these shuttles ensure they take longer to service than their freight counterparts. In the above view, Tri-Bo locomotive Nos. 9824 and 9036 (from front to rear) are seen in the above picture, both on the front of passenger shuttles. © David Glasspool
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