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LONDON -- A hi-tech train designed to speed passengers from London to Paris under the English Channel broke down again on Friday -- and this time the bosses of British Rail and Eurotunnel were on board for the embarrassing snarl-up.
Eurostar, which broke down at London's Waterloo Station on Thursday before 400 reporters on a promotional trip, ground to a halt Friday near the French port of Calais, having just made it through the tunnel.
The 400 passengers aboard the ?24 million ($39 million) train were held up for two hours until a replacement train was found to complete the journey to the French capital.
Among those delayed by the second promotional fiasco to hit the plagued line in two days were Sir Bob Reid, chairman of British Rail, and Sir Alastair Morton, joint chairman of Eurotunnel, the new tunnel's operator.
Morton has in the past been a sharp critic of the railways involved in the ?10 billion project, criticizing them for the late delivery of rolling stock.
This is the third breakdown for the service, which was designed to tempt passengers away from airlines and ferries on one of the world's busiest routes.
Freight services started some weeks ago, and passenger travel is due to begin on Nov. 14.
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