WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

The idea of a tunnel under the Channel was first proposed in 1802 but construction wasn't started until 1988. It was completed in 1993, and Eurostar services started in November 1994.

Before the tunnel, it took around six or seven hours by rail and ferry from London to Brussels. Trains can now do the same journey in 2.5 hours.

It's also possible to cross the Chunnel by car, using the Le Shuttle service.

 

 

 

 

 

The Eurostar service between Brussels and London was officially inaugurated on November 14, 1994 marking the start of high-speed passenger rail services connecting the UK with mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. The inaugural services originally operated from Waterloo International station in London to Brussels-South London Waterloo was suddenly a mere three-and-a-quarter hours from Brussels Midi. Only the French part of the journey used a high-speed line at the time (Belgium followed in 1997, the UK in 2007) Today it goes to St. Pancras Station. For me this train was a relief ! It was just wonderful, my son had moved to London and I visited him for the first time using the Eurostar ! It was just 2 weeks after it's inauguration ! It took me 3 h at that time, because in the UK the rails had to be adjusted, but that was still better then taking the ferry ! The last time I went to London it took me 2 h and something. That's faster then going in Brussels from one end to the other

 

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