Key facts
- Eurostar is upgrading its new 'Celestia' trains to withstand temperatures up to 55C.
- The decision follows recent intense heatwaves across Europe.
- The new trains are built by Alstom Group and will be double-decker.
- These trains will be the first to run through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK's network.
- The upgraded fleet is expected to enter service in 2031 and operate into the 2060s.
- Eurostar has ordered 30 of the trains, with an option for an additional 20.
Eurostar is enhancing its upcoming fleet of 'Celestia' trains to cope with extreme heat, a move prompted by recent intense heatwaves across Europe. The new double-decker trains, built by Alstom Group, will now be equipped with air conditioning systems capable of operating in temperatures up to 55C, a significant upgrade from the original design specification of 45C. These trains are slated to enter service in 2031 and are expected to remain operational into the 2060s, reflecting a strategic bet on a future where current record-breaking temperatures may become the norm.
The decision underscores the vulnerability of transportation networks to climate change. The 'Celestia' trains will be the first of their kind to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK's rail network. Each train is planned to be 200 meters long, offering a 20% increase in seating capacity to accommodate 540 passengers. Initially, Eurostar has ordered 30 of these trains, with an option to procure an additional 20 as the company aims to boost annual passenger numbers to 30 million.
Eurostar has previously experienced service disruptions due to hot weather, including train cancellations between London and Paris. The company's investment in future-proofing its fleet comes as it contributes an estimated £2 billion annually to the UK economy, a figure projected to grow with the expansion of international rail travel.