Alstom and Eurostar have announced a €2 billion deal that will see up to 50 new double-decker trains built for use on the Channel Tunnel.

The initial order of 30 new trains comes with an option for a further 20.

The fleet will be named Eurostar Celestia and will be based on the Avelia Horizon platform. The trains will have around 540 trains but if they operated in 400m formation (as they do currently), each service would have around 1,080 seats.

The trains will be interoperable across all five countries served today as well as Geneva and Frankfurt.

These new trains are expected to be in service by May 2031. The new trains will operate alongside Eurostar’s fleet of 17 e320s.

Eurostar says it will maintain the entire fleet at Temple Mills depot in London, which will create 350 jobs at the depot. 

The operator also says that they are the most sustainable fleet of trains that they have operated, with 97% recyclable components (25% made from recycled materials) and 20-50% energy savings compared to the current fleet.

“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. 

“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.”  

Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO, Eurostar

“By choosing Avelia Horizon to renew its fleet, Eurostar is confirming its desire to combine technological performance, energy efficiency and passenger comfort. This new-generation train, designed to meet the demands of international very high-speed traffic, embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility,”  

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom