Its actually quite hard to find a good map of the project - there is a set of maps showing every 10km but that was on the old CTRL website and it doesn't exist any more!
Ebbsfleet is being built for several reasons:
- Possible future ECML connections that by-pass London altogether (although that is unlikely any time soon)
- Acting as a catalyst for the Thames Gateway project...
- A station that provides HSR services to London (ie no need to get on the slower current commuter lines - hence the Shinkansen services) or to Paris (no need to drive further south to Ashford or go into London - less car journeys and more train journeys)
The BBC have some good info on the station:
On 12th September 2006, another chapter in the story of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was completed - as work on the £100 million Ebbsfleet International Station came to an end. The map shows how Ebbsfleet will link to London and the Continent.
An artist's impression of how Ebbsfleet International Station will look in 2007, when Eurostar trains will run from St Pancras International to the Continent, via Ebbsfleet and Ashford.
2003: this image shows work to push into place a new, 9,000 tonne bridge for the existing North Kent Line near Ebbsfleet. The new bridge was needed to allow the high-speed line to run underneath. (LCR/QA Photos)
July 2004: this photo shows the early stages of construction of the station. The massive slab which crosses the high-speed line is in place, while construction of the main station building and platforms progresses. Photo: LCR/QA Photos
2005: aerial view, looking towards the Thames. Much of the key structures are in place, but the is still much evidence of earthworks etc. (LCR/Hawk Editions)
Early 2006: this photo shows track and overhead power lines for the train in place. The track machine is on the 'link' which connects the high-speed line with the existing North Kent Line. (LCR/Ros Orpin)
Aerial shot in May 2006, showing the station nearing completion with car parks in place. (LCR/Hawk Editions)
nick_taylor: The Thames Tunnel is visible, as is the Thames itself - this entire area will become part of a new hub and major transport interchange. The car park is for people to drive to Ebbsfleet rather than going further south to Ashford or into London to get on the Eurostar
18th July 2006: London & Continental Railways, the company behind the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, unveiled a plaque as part of a ceremony to remember Pocahontas, the famous North American Indian who is buried near Ebbsfleet International Station.
September 2006: Ebbsfleet International Station from the air as work is completed.
Not all Eurostars will stop at Ebbsfleet, but 5 daily services to Lille & Brussels and 7 daily services to Paris will (the other Eurostars will by-pass the station thanks to the seperated tracks on either side of the station). The main services that stop here though will be the CTRL-DS (Domestic Services) which are essentially Series 400 Shinkansen (the first country in Europe to buy Japanese trains):
These services will run all around the major Kent urban areas, but their terminus will be at London St Pancras. The bigger picture with this though is that its showing one of the signs of re-birth of British railways after years of decline and poor service. Also for train geeks - London is going to be pretty interesting when the Shinkansens are introduced over the coming years (they are currently being built in Japan):
- Italian Pendolinos
- Japanese Shinkansens
- French TGV
- British Diesels (nout beats them
)
- Maglev (okay maybe not quite yet...
)