
Whether your travel preferences lean towards the tranquil pace of luxurious sleeper services or the swift efficiency of modern high-speed routes, the current climate presents an opportune moment to explore Europe by train. This resurgence in rail travel's popularity is further amplified by Eurostar's recent announcement of a substantial acquisition.
Eurostar has formalized an agreement for thirty new trains from Alstom Group, with an option to secure an additional twenty, as part of a multi-billion dollar transaction. These cutting-edge trains, designated as the 'Celestia' series, are slated to commence operations in May 2031, promising a refreshed travel experience for passengers.
Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar's Chief Executive, conveyed her enthusiasm for the forthcoming 'Eurostar Celestia' trains, emphasizing the exceptional comfort and unique journey they will provide. She highlighted the company's pride in introducing double-decker trains to the United Kingdom for the first time, signaling a significant enhancement in passenger capacity and amenity.
Eurostar currently facilitates rapid transit between major European metropolises such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Dortmund. These routes predominantly utilize the Channel Tunnel, an undersea railway artery that bridges the United Kingdom with the continental European network, symbolizing a vital link for international travel.
The 650-foot-long trains are designed to serve existing Eurostar pathways across the UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, while also venturing into new territories including Geneva and Frankfurt. This expansion will enable Eurostar to augment its daily services, including three additional journeys from the UK to Paris and an increase to seven daily trips for the Amsterdam route, as per Cazenave's remarks to The Independent.
Constructed upon Alstom's Avelia Horizon framework, these all-electric locomotives will each accommodate 540 passengers. With their dual-level design, every train will be capable of transporting over 1,000 individuals, offering a notable 20% increase in seating compared to Eurostar's current largest models. The Celestia fleet will maintain Eurostar's established speeds, reaching up to 186 mph outside the Channel Tunnel and 100 mph within, while also setting new benchmarks for environmental responsibility, with 97% recyclable components and 25% recycled materials.
This substantial investment underscores the escalating demand for premium, rapid rail services throughout Europe and beyond. Cazenave articulated that this landmark order is a tangible step towards Eurostar's ambitious objective of serving 30 million passengers through the deployment of an entirely new fleet. She affirmed that this period represents a 'golden age' for eco-conscious international travel, with Eurostar at the forefront of this evolutio