How to Board the Train

Get to the Terminal from Yard (lympne)

Once you leave Alcaline Yard, proceed to the roundabout where Stop24 Servies is located, from the direction you are approaching it, you should now take the 4th Exit (right turn M20 East), [so Not 1st (Services), Not 2nd (M20 West), Not 3rd (B2068)]

Extracts from Eurotunnel themselves :

(“Get the best directions to the LeShuttle UK terminal. We are near Folkestone, and have our own motorway exit at junction 11A of the M20 straight to our check-in booths. Click here for directions."

Caution: Do not follow a satnav route that includes 'Terminal Service Rd' or use the LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel) postal address code CT18 8XX, as you will not be directed to our Folkestone check-in booth. )

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What3Words: Certainty.Standards.Willpower

Google Plus Code: 34V9+8J Folkestone

GPS coordinates: Latitude: 51.093389 Longitude: 1.119278

Instructions for Customs and Train Boarding:

Arrival and Check-In:

1. Approach the terminals and look for lanes marked for freight with a lorry sign, also visible on an overhead gantry.

2. Form a queue and drive toward the check-in booth, maintaining a slow speed.

3. At the booth:

- Select your preferred language.

- Begin inputting vehicle details, starting with your registration number. Note that some companies have prepaid accounts, which should be automatically recognised by ANPR. However, ANPR may not always be accurate, so double-check and make corrections if necessary.

- Answer questions about your load, including whether it's an ADR type, the number of passengers, and the presence of anyone aged 13 or under. Ensure you have essential paperwork, such as GMR, CMR, T1(MRN), Invoices, Packing List, and Carnet.

4. Keep in mind that for customs purposes, even if you have empty cages, they are considered empty trailers. Empty cages are not regarded as products of value being imported or exported; they are simply tools for safely storing goods in the truck, similar to carrying ratchet straps.

5. Conversely, regarding mileage and accounts, carrying empty cages is not treated as an empty trailer run; it's considered a loaded run. Therefore, you won't need to complete any empty mileage forms. (Empty mileage forms signify a completely empty trailer with only fresh air inside.)

**Confirmation and Ticketing:**

6. After entering your details, confirm and approve them. Press the button to receive a ticket for further processing.

7. If you don't receive a ticket, it signifies an issue that needs investigation. Pass through the barrier and immediately park on the left side. Proceed to the building for further discussion.

8. Assuming all is well, you'll be given a ticket. Follow the two-lane road to the next section, which involves paperwork and checks.

Paperwork and Visual Check:

9. Pass through the barriers and stop your vehicle, turning off the engine.

10. Officials will perform a visual check of your trailer for safety and suitability.

11. They will approach you to confirm if your truck is empty or loaded. Remember, you're considered loaded only if you have live goods; empty cages do not count as live goods and have no customs taxable value.

12. Based on your response, you may be asked for GMR and additional necessary paperwork.

13. Officials will likely scan your GMR using a handheld device and open the barrier for you to proceed.

Three Possible Routes:

14. The next section offers three possible routes:

a- Full X-ray: The compound is equipped with lanes and a traffic light system. Follow the lights to the enclosed shed for X-ray inspection. Only two articulated trucks are allowed at a time. Turn off the engine, disembark, and wait in a designated area while they X-ray your truck. Upon clearance, return to your vehicle and follow the traffic lights to the next step.

b- Swab: Follow the traffic lights to the swabbing area. Stop by the lines where staff are waiting and signal. Disembark, as should any passengers, and stand by the truck. Staff will take swabs from your truck's steering, seat, door, etc., processing them in an analyser, which takes a few minutes. If you're clear, you'll proceed to the next step.

c- Straight through: This step bypasses steps a and b, moving you forward.

French Passport Checks and Lane Allocation:

15. The next step involves French Passport (Frontier Police) checks.

16. Lane allocation: Slow down as you approach, as they need to visually read your number plate to assign you a lane.

After receiving a lane assignment, follow the traffic light system and gantry to your designated lane. Queue up and prepare to board the train.

Boarding the Train:

17. Whether you're a left or right hooker doesn't matter; the train is the same for both.

18. As you descend the ramp towards the train, observe any trucks in front of you. Take note.

19. Assuming you are a right hooker and approaching from the right, follow these steps:

- raise the front axle of your tractor unit (front axle only) to aid step clearance, as Alcaline trucks are typically low riders.

- Note the plastic traffic cone at the corner of the locomotive closest to you. Your right-hand trailer rear wheels' rear two axles should nearly brush this cone, but avoid running it over.

- Drive your driver-side front wheel onto the flatbed and ride the edge of the flatbed momentarily as the trailer wheels brush the cone. Ensure the rear wheel of the unit doesn't exit the flatbed at this stage.

- Observe the rear wheel of the trailer; it should be almost kissing past the cone mentioned earlier.

- To bring the front right-hand wheel of the unit back to the flatbed, fully lock your steering wheel to the left.

- Keep your head out of the cab and maintain a slow speed, aiming your front wheel toward the train's metal curbs, allowing only over an inch from the edge. Kissing the yellow painted mark will ensure alignment.

20. Drive along the yellow line as prescribed above until instructed to stop. Periodically check the traffic ahead to gauge when to stop.

**Boarding the Train:**

17. Whether you're a left or right hooker doesn't matter; the train is the same for both.

18. As you descend the ramp towards the train, observe any trucks in front of you. Take note.

19. Assuming you are a right hooker and approaching from the right, follow these steps:

- raise the front axle of your tractor unit (front axle only) to aid step clearance, as Alcaline trucks are typically low riders.

- Note the plastic traffic cone at the corner of the locomotive closest to you. Your right-hand trailer rear wheels' rear two axles should nearly brush this cone, but avoid running it over.

- Drive your driver-side front wheel onto the flatbed and ride the edge of the flatbed momentarily as the trailer wheels brush the cone. Ensure the rear wheel of the unit doesn't exit the flatbed at this stage.

- Observe the rear wheel of the trailer; it should be almost kissing past the cone mentioned earlier.

- To bring the front right-hand wheel of the unit back to the flatbed, fully lock your steering wheel to the left.

- Keep your head out of the cab and maintain a slow speed, aiming your front wheel toward the train's metal curbs, allowing only over an inch from the edge. Kissing the yellow painted mark will ensure alignment.

20. Drive along the yellow line as prescribed above until instructed to stop. Periodically check the traffic ahead to gauge when to stop.

Watch Video Boarding Train

Train Departure:

21. Once stopped on the train, alight the truck after closing all windows and shutting down accessories.

22. Stand by your truck on the platform, awaiting pickup by the shuttle bus. Do not wander.

23. Note the bus number you are boarding and identify the driver's faces to ensure you board the correct corresponding bus in Calais to rejoin your truck.

24. Upon reaching your destination, rejoin your truck and drive off. Maintain a slow pace, with your head out of the window, and keep the same distance from the yellow line as previously instructed.

25. Drive off the train, follow exit signs, and choose between Green/Blue (exit to the motorway) or Orange (to customs) in Calais, based on information displayed on the train screen.

26. Remember to follow the instructions in my other blog to reach Turin's depot.

Return Journey:

27. Returning to Calais follows the same process in reverse.

28. Approach and proceed to the paperwork check shed, with two trucks per lane. Turn off the engine as they scan your GMR and MRN T1 and perform a dog sniff check on your entire truck.

29. Depending on their assessment, they may send you for further checks or allow you to proceed.

30. The lanes to the check-in are almost identical to those in Folkestone.

31. After passing through check-in, you'll proceed to the French Duanne (Customs) and French Immigration. They will check and stamp your passport.

32. Look ahead to see lanes allocated for UK border checks (three to four lanes).

33. Approach the UK border booth, where they will check your passport, ticket, and paperwork. They may also request an X-ray cab check at their discretion.

34. The next step is lane allocation, similar to Folkestone. Receive a lane and drive to it, stopping in the queue and switching off your engine.

35. Another dog sniff check will be conducted here.

36. After completing the checks, follow the traffic light system to board the train, following the same procedure as explained earlier.

These instructions are based on the author's best practices, You may follow them at your own risk!