Eurostar – 30 Years and Counting

This presentation by Chris McCanless-Stone, Fleet Performance Manager for Eurostar split his presentation into two very different halves.

We started with a description about what Eurostar was about and its achievements so far, before going back to look at “The Golden Arrow” to France, via boat to cross the Channel, taking a minimum seven hours to Paris. At 50.5 miles the channel tunnel is the longest, under the sea, tunnel in the world, cutting journey times to Paris to just 3 hrs. and Brussels 3.25 hrs. Today these times have now been reduced further still, and the European network and connections greatly enhanced. When the route was first opened there were 31 x 18 coach Class 373 sets, these trains then had to cope with 4 different voltages and 4 different signalling systems along the route automatically changing from one to another.

The London termini switched from Waterloo to St. Pancras International in November 2007 which allowed the journey times to reduce greatly as this linked directly into the high-speed line through Ashford and Kent to the channel tunnel, reducing the time to Paris to just 2 hrs. Newer trains were introduced further increasing the Eurostar network into Germany and now Spain, introducing even more different voltages and signalling systems. A truly fascinating insight into the Eurostar system and its growth.

After our tea interval, Chris continued with what seemed a personal project when 3308 was removed from service with only 18000 miles on the clock and many parts scavenged to keep other units running, turned up at North Pole. At this time Chris was given the chance to restore this power car, when North Pole closed, he managed to transfer 3308 to Brush works where he could continue the restoration. In 2017 he was forced to move the power car again this time to Ruddington, before getting the chance to prepare 3308 for entry into the NRM at York, where it is on display still requiring some work and parts.

I do not recall a speaker with so much knowledge and infectious enthusiasm and passion for his work and what he is doing.

Dave Elsdon

Branch Secretary