Wed, 22 Oct 2025

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 Eurostar orders first double-decker trains

They would be the first two-level high-speed trains to run through the Channel Tunnel.

* Eurostar has ordered up to 50 double-decker trains, called "Celestia", from Alstom, with the option for 20 more.
* The first six trains will be delivered in 2031 and each train will be 200m long.
* If two trains are run together, they would have about 1,080 seats, making them a significant increase in capacity on the Channel Tunnel route.
* Eurostar expects to start using the new trains in 2031 and plans to grow its passenger numbers from 19.5 million to 30 million.
* The company has also announced plans to invest €80m in its London depot at Temple Mills, which will be able to accommodate the larger trains.
* The move is seen as a response to potential increased competition on the cross-Channel rail market and could lead to cheaper prices for passengers.
* However, there are concerns about whether the Temple Mills depot has enough space for both Eurostar and potential rival operators to use it.
* The new trains will need to undergo a years-long certification process before they can be used in the Channel Tunnel.
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