|
 On
the 10th December 1993, Transmanche-Link had completed its work and
handed over the Channel Tunnel to Eurotunnel. The tunnel was official
'opened' by Queen Elizabeth II and President Mitterrand on 6th May 1994.
After many experimental runs through the tunnel, Eurotunnel was ready to
introduce its rail services for public and commercial use.
The first leg of the Queen's journey took her from
London's Waterloo station through the tunnel by high-speed Eurostar
passenger train.
She arrived at Calais at the same time as the President Mitterrand's
train which had travelled from Paris' Gard du Nord via Lille.
The two locomotives met nose to nose - a computer that prevents two
trains travelling on the same track was switched off for the occasion.
The two heads of state cut red, white and blue ribbons simultaneously to
the sound of their respective national anthems played by the band of the
French Republican Guard.
The two Prime Ministers at the time, John Major and Edouard Balladur,
along with other government ministers, took part in the celebrations at
the Eurotunnel terminus.
Eurostar did not start carrying passengers until July
and private cars until October.
|
