Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
Virgin orders 12 Alstom trains for planned Channel Tunnel service
Virgin has ordered 12 high-speed trains from Alstom for a planned service through the Channel Tunnel from 2030.
The Avelia Stream trains will be built in Italy, while Alstom’s UK branch will maintain them.
Virgin plans to compete with Eurostar, which currently runs high-speed services through the tunnel between London and European cities.
Virgin’s initial plan is to run up to 20 return services a day, linking with the UK’s HS1 line.
It would be the tunnel’s first rival to Eurostar since the infrastructure opened in 1994.
Virgin received a UK licence in August to use the route for ten years, until 31 December 2040.
The service could add millions of seats, and Virgin’s chief executive said it could help maintain more than 1,000 jobs in the UK and Europe.
Virgin has ordered 12 Avelia Stream high-speed trains from Alstom for a planned Channel Tunnel service in 2030.
Alstom will design and build the trains in Savigliano, Italy, and its UK subsidiary will maintain them.
Virgin plans to compete with Eurostar and connect its service to Britain’s HS1 line.
Its initial plan is to run up to 20 return services a day through the tunnel.
Virgin received a UK rail regulator licence to cross the Channel Tunnel, valid until 31 December 2040.
- Who
- Virgin and train manufacturer Alstom.
- What
- Virgin ordered 12 Avelia Stream trains, including long-term maintenance, for a planned Channel Tunnel service.
- When
- The service is planned for 2030.
- Where
- The trains are intended to run through the Channel Tunnel, connecting with the UK’s HS1 line.
- Why
- Virgin plans to compete with Eurostar and add rail capacity across the Channel.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spain’s Renfe sought to apply for available track-use permissions in the Channel Tunnel.
Virgin received a licence from the UK Office of Rail and Road to cross the Channel Tunnel.
Virgin plans to begin operating its high-speed service through the tunnel.
- Train order
- 12 Avelia Stream trains
- Manufacturer
- Alstom
- Train design and construction
- Savigliano, Italy
- Planned start
- 2030
- Planned frequency
- Up to 20 return services a day
- Licence expiry
- 31 December 2040
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What people are saying
maintain more than 1,000 jobs in the UK and Europe and add millions of seats to the cross-Channel network, encouraging more people to travel by train, supporting tourism and local economies