Good reminder to be prepared, even if its only a short commute. Sure, everyone's warm and safe, but being stuck for hours in a confined space isn't fun. A good example of how the usual EDC items like snacks, water, and wet wipes can make a really uncomfortable situation tolerable.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/19/channel.tunnel/index.html

Stuff always happens when you least expect it.
Considering the weather it seems odd that they did not expect this.
I am still not quite clear on why the trains failed. Were they having trouble with the tracks icing?

Its not really clear in the news reposts. They say its because of the temperature difference inside and outside the tunnel.

Consider is including ear plugs, aspirin, menthol cough drops, and something that will work as a sleep mask. There are situations where your going to be stuck in close proximity to other people.

Small in-ear plugs still allow you to hear conversations and warnings because they only dull the noise.

Menthol cough drops mask the inevitable smells associated with numbers of people tightly confined and help slake thirst, and cure an itchy throat. They may also help smokers who are confined where they can't smoke and help calm cranky children.

Aspirin are good for tension headaches and might save a life if someone has a heart attack.

Pop in the ear plugs, add a cough drop, and put on your sleep mask and you can go into your own little world while still maintaining enough awareness to be safe. If the situation is very much under control you might catch a nap.

This should also emphasize that it is best to travel in clothing that is comfortable, durable, and protective. Sturdy shoes, I prefer boots, that you can hike in and leather gloves are helpful.

"I am still not quite clear on why the trains failed. Were they having trouble with the tracks icing?"

It sounds like condensation on the electrical equipment shorted them out. They're electric trains, not diesel.

Sue

Four of the trains failed *in the tunnel* where it was "warm", not outside where it was cold.

The likely cause is a mechanical design flaw resulting in uneven thermal expansion of parts in the engines made of different materials.

There's not enough information to tell but I bet when they entered the "warm" tunnel part A expanded quickly and part B more slowly, and they got out of alignment...

Whoever designed those engines is not going to have a Merry Christmas. I predict long hours starting tomorrow morning to determine how to operate the existing trains safely as well as come up with a fix that be retrofitted quickly. We're early enough in the winter season that these weather conditions could repeat in just a few weeks.

PS. Susan's explanation is more likely. The air in the "warm" tunnel will carry a lot of moisture. It's still going to be a busy week for someone to get it fixed...

On the same subject, kind of. I read in the news that railway tracks broke near my hometown because of cold. It was about -20 celsius at the time. I think it´s first time I hear that cold can cause such a problem.

They had laid new tracks there this summer to allow trains to go faster.

The news here made it seem like a lot of whinny people, the interview of the people were crying about very insignificant issues and it gave the impression that they were helpless to do anything when if you look at there situation, they were in very good shape with no impairent danger. It amazes me how people are getting so scared and lazy for not so difficult situations, you wonder how people survive day to day. This is like this in many countries, sometimes I think people should live in a true 3rd world country extreme living for a few years and they would appreciate whats around them.

Apparently even one of the Frenchy train drivers was found greeting, whilst locked in his drivers compartment.

Rule to Self. Never get on train which is staffed by the French whilst having to make a long tunnel trip.

This has been added to the - Never get on a Cruise liner with a Greek Crew, which may possibly catch fire.

The real fun is it won't be running for at least a week - lot of stuck passengers