Eurostar orders 30 Celestia double-decker trains for UK cross-Channel

Eurostar has placed an initial order for 30 double-decker high-speed trains, with options to buy a further 20, the operator announced on Wednesday, marking the first time such trains will run on the UK mainland and through the Channel Tunnel. The deal with manufacturer Alstom is worth about 2 billion euros, and the new fleet, named Eurostar Celestia, is due to begin arriving in January 2031 with commercial services scheduled to start in May 2031 between London St Pancras and continental destinations.

The trains are custom Avelia Horizon-derived units built by Alstom in France. Each 200 metre train will seat about 540 passengers; when operated in paired 400 metre formations through the Channel Tunnel they would carry roughly 1,080 passengers. Eurostar said the Celestia units will offer about 20 more seats than its largest current trains and will include lower floors, extra legroom, and dedicated space for bicycles and wheelchair users. Passengers in all classes will be able to choose upper or lower deck seating without a price difference, the company added.

Eurostar intends to operate the Celestia fleet alongside its existing Siemens-built e320 trains, bringing its total fleet to...