Eurostar to Introduce New Double-Decker Celestia Trains

Eurostar has announced a 2 billion EUR investment in up to 50 new double-decker trains built by Alstom, the first such high-speed fleet to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK rail network.

The initial order covers 30 trainsets, with options for 20 more, as part of Eurostar’s plan to grow its annual passenger numbers to 30 million.

The new fleet, named Eurostar Celestia, will be based on Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform and adapted for Eurostar’s cross-border services. Each 200-metre train will be fully interoperable across the five countries currently served by Eurostar, with future extensions to Geneva and Frankfurt.

Commercial services are due to begin in May 2031, following the delivery of the first six trains earlier that year. Once all new trains are in service, Eurostar will operate a fleet of 67 trainsets, including its existing 17 e320s.

Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO, Eurostar said:

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.

Each Celestia train will offer around 540 seats, around 20 percent more than the current generation, with the possibility of running in 400-metre formations to provide up to 1,080 seats per service.

The all-electric fleet is being designed to improve both sustainability and accessibility. According to Eurostar, the trains will incorporate 97 percent recyclable components, with a quarter made from recycled materials. Energy use is expected to be 20–50 percent lower than the current fleet, and the design will account for long-term climate resilience.

Eurostar will maintain the Celestia trains at its Temple Mills depot in east London, which is set to receive an 80 million EUR upgrade to support the new fleet. The expansion is expected to create around 350 additional engineering and maintenance roles, reinforcing the site’s role as a hub for high-speed rail expertise.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, said:

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.