Eurostar is investing a “landmark” €2 billion in a
fleet of double-decker trains that will enter commercial service from 2031.
The rail operator has confirmed an order for 30
trains, built by Alstom Group, with an option for a further 20, which will become
the first double-decker trains to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the
UK network.
New trains, called Eurostar Celestia, will be a bespoke
design created from Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform and will be interoperable across
the five countries which Eurostar currently serves, plus new destinations
Geneva and Frankfurt.
The first six new trains are expected to go into commercial service in
May 2031 and will see seating capacity increase by 20 per cent compared to its existing trains. They will
operate alongside Eurostar’s existing fleet of 17 e320s, taking its fleet to 67 trains – a 30 per cent increase on today – while its e300, PBA and PBKA trains will be retired.
“Placing this milestone order marks the concrete
realisation of Eurostar’s ambitious growth strategy – to reach 30 million
passengers by investing in a brand-new fleet. We’re particularly proud to bring
double-decker trains to the UK for the very first time,” said Gwendoline
Cazenave, Eurostar CEO.
“Customers can expect a very special new train with Eurostar Celestia,
which will offer exceptional comfort, a unique Eurostar experience and new
surprises to be revealed. This is a golden age for international sustainable
travel – and Eurostar is leading the race.”
The company plans to maintain the entire fleet at the Temple Mills depot, which would be developed to accommodate the new trains at a cost of some €80 million. Eurostar has previously urged potential rivals to invest in the facility should competition arrive on the cross-channel route.
Eurostar, which carried 19.5 million passengers in 2024, was named 'Business Travel Partner of the Year - Rail Operator' at the Business Travel Awards Europe this week.