One version doing the rounds is that the drivers are on strike, so the trains were being driven by managers with limited experience and there were no backup drivers to drive relief / rescue trains. Would explain why the official story just doesn't add up.
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The Eurostar "big story"
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Well its very odd, the trains ran last year?? the eurotunnel trains ferrying the cars across thats ok? i know they have stopped taking cars due to the sheer backlog. So why has Eurostar's trains stopped?
I know its cold, and we don't usually have snow this time of year, but its all a little odd......
Posted 2 years ago # -
I would like to complain that the BBC news today featured Manchester Airport problems with all flights being postponed. Why TF do I care about a load of Northerners being delayed travelling to Spanish versions of Blackpool.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The electric trains to run require electic power 25.000 volts supplied from cables hanging above the train,the power is fed into the electric traction motors,which powers the wheels, these traction motors require cooling air to stop overheating.
It appears that snow has been sucked into thes motors, and then frozen,on entering the tunnel that actually requires water pipes to cool it, has melted the snow,this in turn has shorted out the traction motors.
If a train breaks down in the tunnel the one behind can be used to push the broken one out, or tow it out.
Diesel trains can operate in the tunnel,but due to the fumes from the diesel engines,are used only on limited occasions.
AS for useing other older trains to pull them out,there may well be coupling incompatibility between the train and the loco.
As for being trapped on the train, just use the emergency door realease, and walk down the walkway, all lit up, and use the cross passage to enter the service tunnel,where there will be comunication with the control centre,and the emergency services.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Well its very odd, the trains ran last year??
As I understand it, this is a problem which has occurred on several occasions before, and measures were taken to reduce the problem. However the very cold weather on the continental side, plus the very warm air in the tunnel, created exceptional circumstances. I don't have a problem the trains breaking down - stuff like that happens, specially when it involves previously untried technology. I just have a problem with how Eurostar dealt with vulnerable passengers.
the drivers are on strike, so the trains were being driven by managers
Apparently it's the managers who threaten strike action - not the drivers.
"Last week Eurostar train managers threatened to strike during the weekend over meal allowances before calling off the strike."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126138855067399957.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
Posted 2 years ago # -
Fumes What just run old stock electric.
But they can run diesel trains upto Ashford and get on a EuroStar train
and get to the other end and then get on a standard type train at the other end!
They do have Euro Trains inside the tunnel.I cant see snow freezing inside the tunnel as its warmer inside the
tunnels to the outside.
Inside the service tunnel is train tracks in place to run service
and emergency services to get people out asap.Posted 2 years ago # -
The service tunnel has no tracks just buried cables that control the steering of the mercedess trucks they use as emergency vehicles.
Snow freezes on the motors and melts when it gets into the tunnel.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Project you cant get out the train as easy has that and
you just cant exit the service tunnels just like that!To get into the service tunnels the train will have to be at total
stand still.
They will firstly have to open the Fire/Water tight doors to
the service tunnel to let you in.There are no easy into the service tunnels as if you
was in the service tunnel and a normal Euro Star train
came past the Euro Star train will suck you down the
track with the train.The Eurostar Train travels at max speed about 75mph
through the tunnel
They tried to get the train to travel faster through the
tunnel but the train sucked the cables off the ceiling
of the tunnel.Posted 2 years ago # -
The electric trains to run require electic power 25.000 volts supplied from cables hanging above the train,the power is fed into the electric traction motors,which powers the wheels, these traction motors require cooling air to stop overheating.
It appears that snow has been sucked into thes motors, and then frozen,on entering the tunnel that actually requires water pipes to cool it, has melted the snow,this in turn has shorted out the traction motors.
If a train breaks down in the tunnel the one behind can be used to push the broken one out, or tow it out.
Diesel trains can operate in the tunnel,but due to the fumes from the diesel engines,are used only on limited occasions.
AS for useing other older trains to pull them out,there may well be coupling incompatibility between the train and the loco.
As for being trapped on the train, just use the emergency door realease, and walk down the walkway, all lit up, and use the cross passage to enter the service tunnel,where there will be comunication with the control centre,and the emergency services.
Nicely explained. Hmm...I did think the electricity was provided by overhead wires. Did anyone see the upset passenger on the news who was blubbing because she'd had to walk alongside the 'live tracks' with her daughter. Bl****n' hell, talk about turning into a nation of wrapped in cotton wool wimps. Dunno about you guys, but if we'd have had to escape from a broken down train in the tunnel when we were kids, it'd have been mega! (but then I always have been a scallywag!)
Posted 2 years ago # -
The trains where at a standstill,so there is unlikely to be a risk of being sucked down the tunnel.
The train cannot move unless all doors are closed and locked.
There are 3 tunnels, the 2 running tunnels through which trains can run in euither direction, and the service or emergency tunnel doen the middle of the two running tunnels.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Project I am aware of all this as my wifes Uncle was
brought in when they made the tunnels and worked on how to get
to get the trains through faster.
also i know they can use diesel trains though the tunnels
due to the different air flows/pressures in the different
tunnels.
Regarding tracks through the service tunnels when I was there
during finishing of the tunnel there was talk of using the
works trains they had for the working crews but obviously
they have not, but Dam long walk/drive through the tunnel.Posted 2 years ago # -
Given there was no power whatsoever on the trains the failure was not as simple as the drive motors failing . . . the main power converters (of which there are 4 on a Eurostar - 2 at each end) must all have been disabled . . .
I suspect 'snow in the engines' is the media's take on the problem . . .
I worked on Eurostar power electronics/software/control systems for 4 years, from static testing in the UK and France to extended field testing in France . . . never went through the tunnel in one tho' . . .
Posted 2 years ago # -
Probably imagrants breaking into the power supply
to get into the tunnels.
Very strange to have no lighting when there is emergency lighting.
very strange indeed.Posted 2 years ago # -
I think it is all because we had the "wrong type of snow"
PR bloke said it was the "French snow" that fecked the trains.
Plus whatever his name is looks as though he has a drink problem not that that has anything to do with it but it is nice to see someone suffer whilst others are worse off.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
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