The Eurotunnel train, also known as LeShuttle, is a train service specifically designed to carry vehicles under the English Channel.
Understanding the Eurotunnel Train (LeShuttle)
The Eurotunnel is more commonly known as LeShuttle when referring to the service that transports cars, motorcycles, coaches, and other road vehicles. It provides a vital link between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
Key Characteristics
Based on the reference provided, the Eurotunnel train (LeShuttle) is defined by several core features:
- Type: It is a train.
- Purpose: Its primary function is to carry vehicles. This means passengers remain with their vehicles during the short journey.
- Route: It travels under the English Channel.
- Terminals:
- UK Terminal: Located in Folkestone, Kent, situated just off the M20 motorway.
- French Terminal: Situated in Coquelles, near Calais in France, accessible from the A16 motorway and near the A26.
This service offers a direct and convenient method for drivers to travel between the UK and France without needing to use a ferry service. The journey time is remarkably short, typically around 35 minutes from platform to platform.
How it Works
Instead of boarding a traditional passenger train, drivers and their passengers drive their vehicles directly onto specially designed wagons or carriages. Once loaded, the train travels through the Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel infrastructure) to the destination terminal, where vehicles are simply driven off.
Essentially, LeShuttle is the Eurotunnel train service that accommodates road vehicles for passage through the Channel Tunnel.
