Channel Tunnel locomotive, England, 1989

Electric locomotive, 25 tonne Hunslet Electric Adhesion Locomotive MkII. ASDR 1706 of 1989, used in the construction of the Channel Tunnel. 900mm gauge

Electric locomotive, 25 tonne Hunslet Electric Adhesion Locomotive MkII. ASDR 1706 of 1989, used in the construction of the Channel Tunnel. Before 1994, crossing the English Channel involved travelling by boat or flying. The Channel Tunnel physically connected Britain’s railway to the Continent for the first time and brought to fruition an idea that had been around at least since the time of Napoleon. The project also led eventually to the opening of Britain’s first dedicated highspeed line, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link or High Speed 1. This Hunslet locomotive was used in the tunnel’s construction, pulling the muck trucks which removed the spoil.