Eurostar is betting big on a greener, roomier future for rail. The company just announced a €2 billion investment in up to 50 brand-new double-decker trains, marking the first time ever that two-level high-speed trains will run through the Channel Tunnel and onto the UK network.
Built by Alstom Group and based on the Avelia Horizon platform, the new fleet, named Eurostar Celestia, is designed to redefine what sustainable international travel can look like in the 2030s.
A new generation of Eurostar trains
The first six Celestia trains are set to debut in May 2031, joining the current fleet of e320s and lifting Eurostar’s total number of trains to 67, a 30% increase overall. Each 200-meter Celestia will seat roughly 540 passengers, with the ability to double that capacity when running in a 400-meter formation through the tunnel.
The trains will connect Eurostar’s current five-country network with new destinations including Geneva and Frankfurt, as the company moves toward its goal of 30 million annual passengers.
CGI image of Eurostar’s new Celestia fleet in BrusselsBuilt to be better for the planet and for people
The Celestia project is Eurostar’s most ambitious step yet toward sustainable high-speed travel. Each train will be all-electric, built from 97% recyclable components with 25% made from recycled materials, and will consume 20–50% less energy than the existing fleet.
Even the design process is getting greener. Eurostar is collaborating with accessibility and passenger groups to create a more inclusive and energy-efficient cabin experience, including new accessibility features and a streamlined build for easier maintenance and repair.
The Temple Mills depot in East London will become the central hub for the new fleet, undergoing an €80 million expansion that is expected to add 350 skilled jobs. More than half of Eurostar’s workforce is already based in the UK.
The meaning behind ‘Celestia’
Eurostar’s employees chose the name Celestia, derived from caelestis, Latin for “heavenly.” It is a nod to the stars and to the network of European cities the company links together.
CGI image of Eurostar’s new Celestia fleet in Paris“A golden age for sustainable travel”
“This is a golden age for international sustainable travel, and Eurostar is leading the race,” said Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar CEO. “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.”
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, added: “Avelia Horizon represents our vision of sustainable, competitive European mobility. By choosing this platform, Eurostar is aligning high performance with energy efficiency and passenger comfort.”
If all goes to plan, Eurostar’s double-deckers will not only double capacity but also double down on the promise of low-carbon, cross-border rail travel in a climate-stressed century.
