Channel Tunnel
Course Channeltunnel en.svg
Overview
LocationEnglish Channel (Strait of Dover)
Coordinates51°00′45″N 1°30′15″E / 51.0125°N 1.5041°E / 51.0125; 1.5041Coordinates: 51°00′45″N 1°30′15″E / 51.0125°N 1.5041°E / 51.0125; 1.5041
StatusActive
StartFolkestone, Kent, England,
United Kingdom
(51°05′50″N 1°09′21″E / 51.0971°N 1.1558°E / 51.0971; 1.1558 (Folkestone Portal))
EndCoquelles, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France, France
(50°55′22″N 1°46′49″E / 50.9228°N 1.7804°E / 50.9228; 1.7804 (Coquelles Portal))
Operation
Opened
  • 6 May 1994 (1994-05-06) (tunnel)
  • 1 June 1994 (freight)
  • 14 November 1994 (passenger service)
OwnerGetlink
Operator
  • DB Cargo UK
  • Eurostar
  • Getlink
CharacterPassenger trains, freight trains, vehicle shuttle trains
Technical
Line length50.46 km (31.35 mi)
No. of tracks2 single track tunnels
1 service tunnel
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrified25 kV AC overhead lines, 5.87 m
Operating speed160 km/h (100 mph) (track safety restrictions)
200 km/h (120 mph) (possible by track geometry, not yet allowed)