Edited by Gerald Boerner
Commentary
We kick off this new month by exploring one of the new “Wonders of the World”, the railway tunnel beneath the English Channel. This Channel Tunnel (“Chunnel”) connects Dover region in Kent, UK, with the Pas-de-Calais region of France. This high-speed transportation connect serves passenger, motor vehicle, & freight needs.
For the passenger traffic, the ultra-modern, high-speed Eurostar (TGV-type) trains are used. When we traveled from London and Paris in 2001, what a surprise. The accommodations were fantastic (we were in First Class), the food was superb, & the wine was top notch. Even the Second Class accommodations were outstanding. While passing under the channel, one was aware only of the speed (up to 300 km/minute) and the gentle backing through the curves.
This engineering wonder was the result of the economic and technical cooperation of both France and England. It was a feat similar to that found in the construction of the Millau Viaduct, the world’s tallest bridge. The Eurostar is well worth taking if you have an opportunity to do so.
But now, let’s proceed with our exploration of the Channel Tunnel that was completed on this day in 1990. GLB
These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved[ 3985 Words ]
Quotations Related to CHANNEL
“The Bristol Channel was always my guide, and I was always able to draw an imaginary line from my bed to our house over in Wales. It was a great comfort.”
— Roald Dahl
“The channel is known only to the natives; so that if any stranger should enter into the bay without one of their pilots he would run great danger of shipwreck.”
— Thomas More
“I know all about you. You’re the people waiting on the shoreline with the warm towels and the hot chocolate after the woman swims the English Channel.”
— Gwen Moore