Travelling through EuroTunnel on Monday

[peter34uk]

Hi all,

I'm going through the euro tunnel on Monday morning and im absolutely bricking it!

Fear of the unknown, safety, 35 mins in a tunnel so that fear of claustrophobia has set in.

I gotta be honest and say im absolutely horrified at the minute.

Has anyone else experienced the same and gone through??

Any help much appreciated.

[Annie0904]

I was dreading it when I first went but I was fine. It was so much easier than I expected and the safety features are brilliant. I think maybe about 4 cars in each compartment and safety seals in between. You can walk along from compartment to compartment if you want to. I felt like I had just got in an in no time at all was out again. I would not fear going again at all and this is from a person who panics being in a room without a window!

[scaz]

Hiya,

I don't like confined spaces, but I have done the euroshuttle thing (the one you take your car in) and it's not the nicest experience I have ever had, but I have done it a few times, so it's not too bad.

My advice is, take a good book and an ipod if you have one, I did Dover to Calais with Bon Jovi blasting out and a copy of the Lord Of The Rings, and was amazed that I had got there so quickly.

I also think that Eurostar have a "Nervous Passenger" team, ask at the station, but the on train staff will look out for you too. Let them know you are worried and they will do whatever they can to look after you.

I know it's hard but try and resist the urge to get a bit tipsy to help with the nerves, it doesn't and they can refuse you travel if you are a bit.. merry shall we say???

Good luck, you can and WILL beat this!

[peter34uk]

I been watching eurotunnel documentaries on youtube, trying to re assure myself the tunnel is safe etc etc...

But im still bricking it. Fear of not being able to escape should i need to :(

[scaz]

That side of things, as an ex railway worker, I can help you with.

In the event of an emergency, the train itself (how sad is this that I know it so well) comes to a halt, and the doors automatically open. Staff will then escort you to one of the (I believe though it could be more) 57 emergency escape routes, which in turn have fire doors, lights and air con, to safety. In the event the train is between escape routes, they simply go quicker until they are beside one, I know they said when it opened, you are never more than 5 mins from an escape route, and the trains can be put on a different track to get you out of jail quick.

---------- Post added at 22:32 ---------- Previous post was at 22:30 ----------

Just found this

The Channel Tunnel, also called the Euro Tunnel or Chunnel, actually consists of three tunnels. Two of the tubes are full sized and accommodate rail traffic. In between the two train tunnels is a smaller service tunnel that serves as an emergency escape route. There are also several "cross-over" passages that allow trains to switch from one track to another. Just one year after the Chunnel opened, this engineering design was put to the test. Thirty-one people were trapped in a fire that broke out in a train coming from France. The design worked. Everyone was able to escape through the service tunnel.

[flossie]

My parents went through the Chunnel before it was fully operating, a goodwill gesture thing for the locals. My mum reckoned it was the most boring thing she had ever done and wished she had taken her knitting! You'll be fine.

[steveo]

I hate enclosed spaces but I've been loads and it's huge inside! Not only that but it's over so quick! You can walk around loads.

Best of luck you'll be fine I promise
xxx

[Bekzie]

Good luck for tomorrow Peter, you can do it

[Tessar]

Hello Peter, I wanted to wish you all the best for your journey through the tunnel. I will be very interested in hearing back on how you go....as its something I have considered doing. Much rather that than a ferry for sure. I remember a while back that you'd posted about going thro the tunnel, it was your thread below and I put some info on a post in your original thread. I just checked and the link I put in for you abut safety is still ok. And rather than re-type what I said before, I thought I'd refer you back to the original thread here...

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthr...ghlight=France

Anyway I'll be thinking about you on your adventure and hope it goes ok.

[peter34uk]

Guys,

Thank you for all your kind words and advice. It really has made me feel much better.

I am still sooooooo nervous but ive made my decision to go!

Im taking everything you guys have said with me and trust me guys its only because of your words and assurences Im going.

THANK YOU ALL. Hopefullu tomotrrow night ill be posting about the day!