The Eurotunnel Car Shuttles Need Refurbishment Or Replacement

[Doomotron]

They're in a really bad state: they're literally falling apart.

The lights flash on and off, doors are broken, broken PAs, very dated PIS systems, loud, damaged bogies, ugly interior, most toilets are out of order, the locos have lights broken, trains break down a lot (on time, a train broke down, which was replaced by one which then caught fire, and then it was third-time-lucky).

And that's just the trains. The management of the passenger side of Eurotunnel is chaotic, cars are left missing trains in France due to slow passport checks on behalf of the English (not really a fault of Getlink but still an issue) and delays cause disruption that make Southern and Northern look like the Japanese railway system in comparison...

I think it's about time they started getting better considering the success they had with MyFerryLink (which was really good)... Eurotunnel DO know how to provide a good service, but they don't provide it.

Spoiler

I might have gotten distracted from talking about the trains. Sorry.

 

[Starmill]

Haven't they recently procured some new rolling stock?

 

[Doomotron]

Haven't they recently procured some new rolling stock?

Not that I know of. I know the freight part has recently gotten new sets but nothing for the passenger division.

 

[Starmill]

The lorry transporters rather than the car ones you mean? As far as I'm aware there is no passenger (foot) service?

 

[GrimShady]

They're in a really bad state: they're literally falling apart.

The lights flash on and off, doors are broken, broken PAs, very dated PIS systems, loud, damaged bogies, ugly interior, most toilets are out of order, the locos have lights broken, trains break down a lot (on time, a train broke down, which was replaced by one which then caught fire, and then it was third-time-lucky).

And that's just the trains. The management of the passenger side of Eurotunnel is chaotic, cars are left missing trains in France due to slow passport checks on behalf of the English (not really a fault of Getlink but still an issue) and delays cause disruption that make Southern and Northern look like the Japanese railway system in comparison...

I think it's about time they started getting better considering the success they had with MyFerryLink (which was really good)... Eurotunnel DO know how to provide a good service, but they don't provide it.

Spoiler

I might have gotten distracted from talking about the trains. Sorry.

You mean the ferry service that's been gone for years and it's ships now with DFDS?

 

[Bletchleyite]

You mean the ferry service that's been gone for years and it's ships now with DFDS?

That was because the EU made them dispose of it as it was anticompetitive, wasn't it? Not because it wasn't any good.

 

[kylemore]

Stop using them and use DFDS or P&O instead - the time saving must be fairly negligible and I can't imagine they charge much less than the ferries.

Dropping market share will soon give them the message.

 

[ivanhoe]

I find that after a 4 hour journey to get there, a nice rest on the ferry is just the ticket for starting onward journey.Have experienced Eurotunnel and can't complain, but it's been a long time now since I've used it.

 

[ChilternTurbo]

I agree about the state of Le Shuttle rolling stock and have switched my allegiance to using the DFDS ferry from Dover.
There are two reasons for this, firstly the majority today's cars are just too large for these trains. Cars have got bigger - compare the current VW Golf with original. My reasonably large current Mercedes E-Class has just a few inches of clearance between the tyres and kerb when I've been forced to use the upper deck. I also managed scuff an alloy when driving onto the train - my fault I know but it doesn't help that the kerb itself has a serrated edge and the margin for error is so minimal. There are numerous stories online of people puncturing their tyres...
My second reason is the condition of the trains; I know you're only on there for around 45 minutes but having clean toilets isn't a big ask!
The ferry is slower but I do find the experience more relaxing. Even adding extras like lounge access and priority boarding to the booking still always beats the tunnel fare in my experience.

 

[yorksrob]

I must admit, I've always liked ferries. You get the chance to have a wander on deck, have some food, a bit of a relax. Even if I drove, I would choose the ferry.

 

[Doomotron]

Along with MyFerryLink my liking for ferries died (MFL's presentation and atmosphere better than any of the other ferries - P&O seemed a bit... Businessy but DFDS was nice, but not as good). It wasn't help by my rather sudden fear of water.

 

[w1bbl3]

GETLink plan to comprehensively refurbish all of the car shuttles by 2025 as per investor statements. New interiors, fittings, toilets etc pictures have not yet been released but considering that they only have 9 shuttles I'd expect the programme will need to start soon as they can't really take more than one out service for refurbishment at a time.

 

[jopsuk]

wonder if they'll do the work on site? Taking the shuttles off site means going by outsize convoy on the road

 

[Doomotron]

wonder if they'll do the work on site? Taking the shuttles off site means going by outsize convoy on the road

I don't even think they'd fit on the roads to be honest... Anyway, good news.

 

[InOban]

But by 2025 the sets, and their locos, will be over thirty years old. They should be investing in brand new kit. (And I have GET shares!)

 

[JohnMcL7]

I took the Eurotunnel last year and didn't think it was that bad, the main issue was they were slow loading up both directions but the toilets worked fine and as we were on a tight deadline there and back the ferries weren't an option.

 

[cactustwirly]

That was because the EU made them dispose of it as it was anticompetitive, wasn't it? Not because it wasn't any good.

No because it was loosing money hand over fist, and DFDS gave them a good offer to purchase the ships.

Take the ferry, check in is a breeze, and if you're early, they'll put you on an earlier sailing if there's space!

 

[coppercapped]

That was because the EU made them dispose of it as it was anticompetitive, wasn't it? Not because it wasn't any good.

I think you'll find that it was a decision of the (UK) Competition and Markets Authority - if I recall correctly the EU organisations had no direct role.
It was, basically, the UK breaking up a French monopoly...

 

[Meerkat]

Take the ferry, check in is a breeze, and if you're early, they'll put you on an earlier sailing if there's space!

Pretty sure Eurotunnel do this too. I think I turned it down last time because I wanted a Full English and toput the headlight stickers on!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Pretty sure Eurotunnel do this too. I think I turned it down last time because I wanted a Full English and toput the headlight stickers on!

The ferries will try and charge you for it, then when you decline you get waved on anyway...

 

[Highlandspring]

I don't even think they'd fit on the roads to be honest...

How do you think they were delivered?

 

[jon0844]

How do you think they were delivered?

Came flat packed and assembled on site?

 

[Tetchytyke]

No because it was loosing money hand over fist, and DFDS gave them a good offer to purchase the ships

SeaFrance went bust, and Eurotunnel took over the ships. They were leased to MyFerryLink, which was a worker's cooperative, but DFDS and P&O complained, stating that Eurotunnel was effectively running the ferries. The UK's Competition Commission told them to sell up and, eventually, Eurotunnel tired of the fight and transferred the leases to DFDS. The French workers, as one can expect, went ballistic and for quite some time stevedores at Calais wouldn't let DFDS dock there.

 

[furnessvale]

Came flat packed and assembled on site?

No. I watched them being craned off ships at Dover* and they were complete bar bogies.

*It may just have been Folkestone. I was passing through and it was a long time ago, but in any case they were taken away by road low loaders.

 

[jopsuk]

there is, unlike most rolling stock, very little information publicly on the Shuttle stock. Who built them? How big (height above rail, width, length, weight) are they?

 

[JohnMcL7]

Pretty sure Eurotunnel do this too. I think I turned it down last time because I wanted a Full English and toput the headlight stickers on!

Yep they do and was offered both times I travelled last year although as I was in convoy with another car we didn't take it in case the one behind had to stick to the original time.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

there is, unlike most rolling stock, very little information publicly on the Shuttle stock. Who built them? How big (height above rail, width, length, weight) are they?

The last time the fleet was listed in the Combined Volume was 1997, so this only covers the original batch...

Passenger fleet:

1001 to 1036
1201 to 1236
1401 to 1436

All the above are 62 tonnes, 5.575m high, 26.00m long and 4.1m wide.

1801 to 1819 are 64 tonnes, 27.25m long, 5.575m high and 4.1m wide.

3001 to 3036
3201 to 3236

Are 62.5 tonnes, 26.00m long, 5.575m high and 4.1m wide.

3401 to 3436 are 63 tonnes, 26.00m long, 5.575m high and 4.1m wide.

3801 to 3818 are 61 tonnes, 26.00m long, 5.575m high and 4.1m wide.

HGV fleet:

5001 to 5004
5101 to 5132
5201 to 5232
5301 to 5332
5401 to 5432
5501 to 5532
5601 to 5632
5701 to 5732

Are all 20.506m long, 5.595m high, 4.1m wide and weigh 34 tonnes.

5801 to 5833 are 25.100m long, 3.490m high, 4.1m wide and weigh 45 tonnes.

5901 to 5909 are 25.720m long, 3.950m high, 3.00m wide and weigh 45 tonnes.

The passenger fleet were built by Bombardier in Canada and at Brugges and ANF at Crespin, France. The HGV fleet were built by Fiat, OMECA, Ferrosud and Imesi except for 5909 which was built by Breda, all in Italy.

 

[WideRanger]

The ferries will try and charge you for it, then when you decline you get waved on anyway...

DFDS are clear in their ticket conditions that it is free to take one ferry before or after the booked ferry. I have never had a suggestion that I should pay.

 

[jon0844]

DFDS are clear in their ticket conditions that it is free to take one ferry before or after the booked ferry. I have never had a suggestion that I should pay.

Isn't Eurotunnel a time range in a similar fashion? An hour or so before, or after, the booked time. Anyone coming by road is going to struggle to arrive at the exact time, and I don't think Eurotunnel want that either. They've got ample room for people to queue up, or choose to go in to the terminal building and pay inflated prices for food.

 

[Doomotron]

They've got ample room for people to queue up

Oh no they haven't!