Eurostar Chaos: 30/12/2025.

[Nottingham59]

I see there's a power problem in the Channel Tunnel

Eurostar and Channel Tunnel services returning to normal after power supply disruption - live updates

A power supply problem caused major disruption on Tuesday, but services on LeShuttle and Eurostar seem to be back on track.

www.bbc.co.uk

National Rail tells Channel Tunnel passengers not to travel
published at 11:53
11:53
Breaking
We also have a statement from National Rail, which urges passengers to postpone their journeys to a different date.

National Rail says the power problem is likely to lead to severe delays and last-minute cancellations between London St Pancras International and Paris Nord.

"There is a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel," it says.

"Trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.

"Check before you travel as your journey could be disrupted. We strongly advise all passengers to postpone their journey to a different date."

EDIT:
A Shuttle has failed in the tunnel.

Disruptions | Travel News | Eurostar

Eurostar

www.eurostar.com

Due to a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train, we strongly advise all our passengers to postpone their journey to a different date. Please don't come to the station unless you already have a ticket to travel. We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations. Please check for live updates on the status of your train on the Train status and timetables page.

 

[z444z]

The 09:01 to Brussels still hasn’t departed according to RTT…

 

[martin2345uk]

Not much we can do when the tunnel is completely blocked sadly!

 

[Port Road]

I see there's a power problem in the Channel Tunnel

Eurostar and Channel Tunnel services returning to normal after power supply disruption - live updates

A power supply problem caused major disruption on Tuesday, but services on LeShuttle and Eurostar seem to be back on track.

www.bbc.co.uk

EDIT:
A Shuttle has failed in the tunnel.

Disruptions | Travel News | Eurostar

Eurostar

www.eurostar.com

Total chaos. The 07:01 StPancras to Paris has just come back out of the tunnel at this end heading back to London. What a shame for all the passengers involved.

 

[Beebman]

Total chaos. The 07:01 StPancras to Paris has just come back out of the tunnel at this end heading back to London. What a shame for all the passengers involved.

I don't know if this is that train but a passenger has posted on X a short video with an announcement that the train is returning to London:

https://x.com/ojayslawyer/status/2005972571771265273

 

[milooo]

Total chaos. The 07:01 StPancras to Paris has just come back out of the tunnel at this end heading back to London. What a shame for all the passengers involved.

The 08:01 has also turned back

 

[D6130]

Can't do a quote from my phone, but the BBC News website is reporting that all Eurostar services for the rest of the day are cancelled - and a shuttle service is stranded - due to a major power supply failure in the Channel Tunnel.

 

[k-c-p]

BBC Reporting: Eurostar cancels all services due to 'major disruption' in Channel Tunnel

Eurostar cancels all services due to 'major disruption' in Channel Tunnel

Staff are telling passengers to re-book for another day after a problem with the power supply in the tunnel.

www.bbc.com

 

[GraphitProjekt]

There's not much information around about the Channel Tunnel supply system but I think they're meant to have duplicate grid supplies at either side. There is also an 11kV system for auxiliary systems which also could be the problem - might cause lighting, ventilation or signalling to be offline

 

[BAFRA77]

The six Eurostar services to or from London cancelled so far are:

• ES 9032: The 14.31 from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord
• ES 9141: The 14.52 from Brussels Midi / Zuid to London St Pancras International
• ES 9039: The 15.12 from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras International
• ES 9036: The 15.31 from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord
• ES 9148: The 17.04 from London St Pancras International to Brussels Midi / Zuid
• ES 9047: The 17.12 from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras International

 

[milooo]

9I10 has gone into Stratford Platform 1 according to Traksy. (Image is of Traksy map showing 9I10 at Stratford Platform 1)

 

[aaronspence]

9I10 has gone into Stratford Platform 1 according to Traksy. (Image is of Traksy map showing 9I10 at Stratford Platform 1)

I suspect because theres no more platforms at St Pancras, 9O08 has been awaiitng about 10 mins for one to open up

 

[Warrior2852]

9I10 has gone into Stratford Platform 1 according to Traksy. (Image is of Traksy map showing 9I10 at Stratford Platform 1)

Stratford International finally living up to its name!

 

[Horizon22]

The six Eurostar services to or from London cancelled so far are:

• ES 9032: The 14.31 from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord
• ES 9141: The 14.52 from Brussels Midi / Zuid to London St Pancras International
• ES 9039: The 15.12 from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras International
• ES 9036: The 15.31 from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord
• ES 9148: The 17.04 from London St Pancras International to Brussels Midi / Zuid
• ES 9047: The 17.12 from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras International

Advertised as all day now.

 

[milooo]

9I10 is moving again

 

[sot]

How does your BCNJ french entrance stamp get cancelled in this situation?

Also is that a one day entrance into the Schengen area without going?

 

[Warrior2852]

So what do they do with border things in these situations of disruption? If I understand how Eurostar border crossing normally works correctly isn't everyone being turned back at the tunnel back to Stratford or St Pancras legally in France as far as the borders are concerned?

 

[Horizon22]

How does your BCNJ french entrance stamp get cancelled in this situation?

Also is that a one day entrance into the Schengen area without going?

Just stamp you back in on your return? But ultimately not sure.

 

[Kenny G]

If this is merely a power outage in the tunnel couldn't they use a diesel loco to get them through to the other side?

 

[sot]

I imagine they can do something, but the border isn't really set up for that this side is it? Is it one of the longer distance Eurostar that still had the border control in the UK?

 

[milooo]

If this is merely a power outage in the tunnel couldn't they use a diesel loco to get them through to the other side?

Diesel is not permitted in the tunnel iirc

 

[TheWierdOne]

Diesel is not permitted in the tunnel iirc

It must be on occasion when they’re working on the overhead lines or rescuing a failed train.

 

[milooo]

It must be on occasion when they’re working on the overhead lines or rescuing a failed train.

I thought they used a battery loco

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Getlink Shuttle car trains are said to be delayed by 3 hours or so, not totally cancelled, so the tunnel mustn't be totally closed.
Is there a one-way system in place, past the tunnel sections affected?

 

[flitwickbeds]

Is it one of the longer distance Eurostar that still had the border control in the UK?

Are you thinking of the previous situation on the Amsterdam trains where, on the return journey towards London, passengers had to get off the train in Brussels, go through UK passport control, and then get back on the train for the last part of the journey? From memory not was because there wasn't space in Amsterdam CS.

However this is no longer the case (but I don't know how it was resolved - presumably by finding space in Amsterdam CS for a border post?)

 

[StoneRoad]

Can't tell from the BBC coverage ---
Are both rail tunnels affected ?

 

[milooo]

Can't tell from the BBC coverage ---
Are both rail tunnels affected ?

Assuming so as arrivals have also been cancelled according to the BBC

 

[Snow1964]

I thought they used a battery loco

Eurotunnel have 5 diesel locos (from memory made by Krupp)

Not sure what has happened but shuttles are supposed to be capable of being reversed using the rear loco which are designed to be powerful enough to haul the train.

Also there are crossovers at third and two thirds, and can flight a number of trains around any sixth of the tunnels that are blocked, then run batch in other direction. Normally doesn't need full closure to everything.

 

[milooo]

Assuming so as arrivals have also been cancelled according to the BBC

Picture shows Eurostar arrivals board at St Pancras with 5 cancelled services

 

[z444z]

9I10 has gone into Stratford Platform 1 according to Traksy. (Image is of Traksy map showing 9I10 at Stratford Platform 1)

FYI your email address is visible in this screenshot