Tunnel puts the he
Page 6
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Revelations that temperatures inside the proposed Channel Tunnel could be more than 30°C (85°F) are causing concern amongst international hauliers, and particularly reefer operators, planning to use the Chunnel.
Speaking at this week's annual general meeting of Transfrigoroute — the reefer operators' trade group — Vincent Hogan, an independent advisor to both Trans Manche Link, the tunnel contractors and Transfrigoroute, reported that air friction will raise temperatures in the tunnel to as much as 30°C.
While the tunnel will be fitted with cooling coils, temperatures aboard the actual trains ' could reach even higher levels.
Reefer operators are likely to be particularly worried as they will not be allowed to run semi-trailer fridge units from their own diesel engines.
Instead, Eurotwinel plans to offer plug-in points for fridge units in each of the freight shuttle wagons, to provide an electrical power supply. Diesel power will, it is calculated, use too much air within the confined space of the shuttle train.
Even if reefer trailers are maintained at reasonable temperature levels, driver comfort is likely to be sorely undermined by the heat. Euro tunnel currently has no plans to provide air conditioning in freight shuttle trains, even though it will be provided for car shuttle trains.
Trans Manche Link is concerned about the temperatures ich will face the drivers, and :urrently considering Mods by which drivers can taken to an air conditioned ;t room during the journey, is Hogan. The problem with s solution, is the time it iuld take to get the drivers and from, the rest room on ittle trains of almost half a metre in length.
Coach passengers could also :e discomfort, since there t no plans yet to allow them leave their vehicle. Coach ivers will not be allowed to erate a vehicle's air conlolling unit either during the uttle journey.
Hogan says that many of the al details about the shuttle 'ins have yet to be decided on. The dimensions of the agons and the temperatures 'thin the tunnel, however, ill not be changed. Ironically, is British Rail Engineering hich is preparing the speci:ation of the shuttle trains on behalf of Trans Manche Link.
TML is "going out of its way", despite the high potential temperatures, "to win the reefer business," says Hogan. As a member of Transfrigoroute UK's technical committee, Hogan plans to meet Eurotinuiel shortly to discuss operational matters concerning the shuttle trains.
Graham Eames of Hargrave International has taken over from Robin East as chairman of Transfrigoroute for a year. East describes Eames as, controversial . and good."