Eurostar today announced a landmark £1.7 billion investment in up to 50 new double-decker trains from Alstom Group, marking the first time such rolling stock will operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK network.
The cross-Channel high-speed rail operator confirmed a firm order for 30 trains, with an option for a further 20, as it sets an ambitious growth strategy to reach 30 million annual passengers.
Introducing ‘Eurostar Celestia’
The new fleet, named Eurostar Celestia, will be a bespoke design developed from Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform. The 200-metre, all-electric trains are designed for interoperability across all five countries Eurostar currently serves, opening the door for new destinations, including Geneva and Frankfurt.
The name, selected by Eurostar staff, is derived from the Latin word caelestis, meaning “heavenly,” chosen to evoke the essence of travel and a company linking a “constellation of cities across Europe.”
The trains will offer a 20% increase in seat capacity per new train, with each 200m set expected to accommodate around 540 seats. If operated in the typical 400m formation used through the Channel Tunnel, services would feature around 1,080 seats.
UK Jobs and Fleet Expansion
The first trains are scheduled to join the fleet in January 2031, with commercial services launching in May 2031. Six new trains are expected to be operational at that time.
Once fully delivered, the new trains will operate alongside Eurostar’s current fleet of 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet size to 67 trains—a 30% overall uplift versus today.
Eurostar plans to maintain the entire fleet at its existing Temple Mills depot in London, which will be developed to accommodate the new trains at a cost of around €80 million. The expansion is expected to create approximately 350 more highly skilled jobs at the depot, solidifying its role as a key centre for international high-speed rail. The company noted that over half of all Eurostar jobs are currently UK-based, with 450 of those located at Temple Mills.
Sustainability and Customer Experience
Designed with sustainability and accessibility at the core, the new Eurostar Celestia fleet supports the company’s long-term environmental goals. The design process has incorporated input from passenger and accessibility groups, as well as 100 Eurostar team members, to ensure enhanced access and comfort.
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar, called the order a significant step in the company’s future:
“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.”
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, confirmed the trains’ specifications:
“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.”
Image: Eurostar Celestia train arriving in London St Pancras. CGI picture. Colours and livery not final. ©ALSTOM SA ©SPEEDINNOV SAS 2025. Advanced & Creative Design | Avelia Horizon™.
