Channel Tunnel Attempt 1974

[Aldgate]

I am constructing a model railway based on the Channel Tunnel which construction started in 1974. (It stopped soon afterwards)

Does any forum member know what rolling stock was going to be used in the tunnel or have plans and/or any other useful information regarding its intended operation.

Stephen (Aldgate)

 

[37401]

i know class 20`s were used

 

[MCR247]

http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/eurotest.html

 

[EM2]

Guys, Aldgate is enquiring about the 1974 attempt NOT the building of the existing tunnel.

 

[MCR247]

Guys, Aldgate is enquiring about the 1974 attempt NOT the building of the existing tunnel.

that'll teach me not to skim read!

 

[37401]

that'll teach me not to skim read!

yeah and me

 

[metrocammel]

Although of course, as it never happened, it's theoretical, but I believe the French 40100 / Belgian 1800 Quad-voltage class were capable of hauling Anglo-French trains. As they were relatively new in 1974, I imagine they'd be an obvious choice.

Sadly, as they were complicated machines, and their core route (Paris - Brussels- Amsterdam) had been 'Thaylsised' in 1996 (effectively replacing the old 'Trans-Europe Express' which the 40100s hauled), they were pretty much surplus to requirements, and all withdrawn about 12 years ago (though I think the Belgian machines lasted a little longer).

Anyway, here's a SNCF example:
http://www.joueftrains.com/images/cc40109.jpg

SNCB example:
http://www.belrail.be/media/images/traction/hle1805f.jpg

 

[Aldgate]

UNBUILT 1974 TUNNEL
Thank you! I am trouble finding out anything regarding the intended service through the station, rolling stock they intended to use et cetera.

I am hoping to bulid a Southern Region BR Blue service through my model tunnel!

Aldgate

 

[LucaZone]

Is there anything suggesting the current setup of the tunnel is not what was also planned for the 1970's attempt?

If you look through the history of tyhe tunnel in various books you'll see stylised versions of the current roll on roll off trains, a split road/rail tunnel and even Mk1 stock running through to france!

 

[A60K]

Is there anything suggesting the current setup of the tunnel is not what was also planned for the 1970's attempt?

Several projects were planned over the years, some almost happened. The exact form of tunnel we have today - through rail service, vehicle shuttle, tunnel all the way - was not proposed until the mid-1980s, in the competition for the fixed link concession that Eurotunnel won in 1985/6 and that started construction shortly afterwards.

The proposal before that was known as 'Mousehole', and would have consisted of a single track rail tunnel to approximately SNCF gauge. You would have had hourly 'flights' of up to six trains (passenger and freight) per direction to make best use of tunnel capacity.

Rolling stock plans were never definitive, but it would have been quite likely to use hauled Mk3-derived stock, perhaps with joint Anglo-French construction, with a loco change around Calais.

At this time there was no high-speed line on the cards on either side of the channel - TGV services were only being developed.


The 1974 plan was different again, but I don't have details I'm afraid.

 

[dave12435]

this is what i managed to find
http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=334.0
http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/background/tunnel.htm
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/c/channel_tunnel_1880_attempt/index1.shtml
http://wapedia.mobi/en/Channel_Tunnel

In 1955, defence arguments were accepted to be irrelevant because of the dominance of air power; thus, both the British and French governments supported technical and geological surveys. Construction work commenced on both sides of the Channel in 1974, a government-funded project using twin tunnels on either side of a service tunnel, with capability for car shuttle wagons. In January 1975, to the dismay of the French partners, the British government cancelled the project. The government had changed to the Labour Party and there was uncertainty about EC membership, cost estimates had ballooned to 200% and the national economy was troubled. By this time the British Priestly TBM was ready and the Ministry of Transport was able to do a 300 m experimental drive. [24] This short tunnel would however be reused as the starting and access point for tunnelling operations from the British side.

In 1979 the "Mouse-hole Project" was suggested when the Conservatives came to power in Britain. The concept was a single-track rail tunnel with a service tunnel, but without shuttle terminals. The British government took no interest in funding the project but Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said she had no objection to a privately funded project. In 1981 British and French leaders Margaret Thatcher and François Mitterrand agreed to set up a working group to look into a privately funded project, and in April 1985 promoters were formally invited to submit scheme proposals. Four submissions were shortlisted:

* a rail proposal based on the 1975 scheme presented by Channel Tunnel Group/France-Manche (CTG/F-M),
* Eurobridge - a 4.5 km span suspension bridge with a roadway in an enclosed tube
* Euroroute - a 21 km tunnel between artificial islands approached by bridges, and
* Channel Expressway - large diameter road tunnels with mid-channel ventilation towers. [24

source:http://wapedia.mobi/en/Channel_Tunnel
more about im sure may be of no use whatever but there they are

 

[Philfrance]

Hi guys !

I'm just popping in as a french railway modeller (living in france since the mid-80's).

To answer part of the question, at the time of the 1974 attempt, the most recent electric engines SNCF was developing were :

BB 7003 (built 1974) running on 1,5 kV DC power
CC 21000 (built 1974) runnning on 1,5 kV DC and 25 kV 50 cycles AC power
and
CC 40100 (built from 1969 to 1974) running on 1,5 and 3 kV DC power as well as 15 kV 16 2/3 cycles and 25 kV 50 cycles AC power

There were also a couple of efficient EMU's running at the time in the Z series which ran either on 1,5 kV DC or 25 kV AC power.

I've been looking up for many things on channel tunnel attempts because I used to live on the top of the cliff at Capel in the early 70's, but nothing really seems to indicate what rolling stock was going to be used...

You must also have in mind that guage clearances weren't and still aren't the same in the UK and over here on the continent, which means that special carriages would have had to be designed ,and maybe engines...