UK: EUROSTAR CARRIES FIRST FARE PAYING PASSENGERS TO PARIS

(14 Nov 1994) Nat/English
The first fare paying passengers on a train using the rail tunnel linking Britain with mainland Europe, are on their way to Paris this morning.
More than six (b) billion dollars over budget, and running 18 months late, the first fare paying passengers finally have their chance to travel this morning on the high speed rail link between Britain and the European mainland through the Channel Tunnel.
The project has been beset by problems - in the past three months four of the hi-tech locomotives to be used for the service have broken down during testing.
Nevertheless, this morning several hundred passengers turned up at London's Waterloo Station to make the historic three hour journey to Paris.
SOUNDBITE: I have my flashlight just in case the train breaks down or the Tunnel collapses.
I think, you know, how long have we waited for this to be built. I think it will be a very worthwhile and historical journey to be on.
Q Do you think it's odd having this permanent link between Britain and mainland Europe?
I'll be able to answer that better in a few years time..
The train left bang on time, it's due to arrive in Paris at about 1130 GMT.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...

[@jayrap94]

I was only 10 months old when the first commercial service launched. In all the time that has passed, I have only travelled by Eurostar once :(

[@grassytramtracks]

Was that from Waterloo or St pancras?

[@jayrap94]

@@grassytramtracks I first travelled from St Pancras in 2008 - missed out on Waterloo - always used to look at them when arriving into Waterloo from Richmond station.

[@grassytramtracks]

@@jayrap94 I went on Eurostar in 2015, I was still a baby when the Waterloo Eurostar ended so I never got to ride it (well my mother rode it when she was pregnant with me, so I sort of did), though I might go on it this summer. The Waterloo Eurostar did seem a bit ridiculous, chugging around south London and Kent for over an hour on very congested lines compared to the French LGV on the other side

[@petercdowney]

That's a nice fresh coat of paint.