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The history of Eurostar can be traced to the 1986 choice of a rail tunnel to provide a cross-Channel link between Britain and France. In addition to the tunnel’s shuttle, this decision provided for through passenger and freight. British Rail and SNCF contracted with Eurotunnel[1] to use half the tunnel’s capacity. In 1987 Britain, France and Belgium set up an International Project Group to specify a trasport system providing an international, high-speed service through the Tunnel. Having been operating high speed TGV services since 1981, and with construction of a new high-speed line between Paris and the Channel Tunnel (LGV Nord) underway, it was unsurprising that TGV technology was chosen. An order for 30 trainsets was placed in December 1989.
Testing the trail revealed problems on the 750V third rail system in Britain. The trains were designed to shut down if causing electrical interference with signaling, and this happened frequently. However, the problems were solved and on 14 November 1994, Eurostar began between Waterloo International station in London, Paris and Brussels. Services to Ashford International followed on 8 January 1996
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