For the first time ever, double-decker trains will roll on a UK railway line after Eurostar unveiled a massive £1.7 billion order for up to 50 two-storey trains. The game-changing Eurostar Celestia fleet will boost capacity on London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam routes through the Channel Tunnel.

£1.7bn Order for Eurostar Celestia Trains

Eurostar has sealed a deal with French rail giant Alstom to build an initial 30 new double-decker trains, with an option for 20 more if demand soars. Built at Alstom’s French factories, this is one of Europe’s biggest passenger train orders in years, safeguarding hundreds of manufacturing jobs.

“We’re leading the race to meet booming international rail travel demand,” said Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave.

Sky-High Capacity with 20% More Seats

The Celestia trains will carry 20% more passengers than Eurostar’s current single-decker fleet by standing 16cm taller and featuring a clever lower floor. While double decks don’t double capacity due to staircases, the space boost is a major upgrade.

Unlike replacements, the new trains will run alongside the existing 17 Eurostar e320s, eventually expanding the fleet to 67. It’s all part of Eurostar’s plan to lift annual passenger numbers from 19.5 million to 30 million by 2031.

New Routes and Facilities on the Horizon

• Eurostar plans new lines from London to Frankfurt and Geneva.
• The £70 million upgrade to Temple Mills depot in east London will house the larger double-deck fleet.
• Passengers can expect more legroom, extra space for bikes and wheelchairs, and intriguing “surprise spaces” aboard Celestia trains.

Why Double-Deckers Are a UK Rarity – But Not on HS1

Double-decker trains are rare in the UK due to low bridges and tight track spacing on Victorian-era lines. However, Eurostar’s high-speed HS1 route was built to European specs and can handle the taller new trains.

Back in the 1950s-60s, a brief trial of double-decker trains on British rails failed due to cramped cabins and high costs. Now, Eurostar is giving double decks a second shot on UK soil.

Facing the Future – Competition and Sustainability

Eurostar, majority-owned by French state rail, faces new rivals eyeing Channel Tunnel services, including Virgin and Italy’s FS Italiane Group.

Alstom boss Henri Poupart-Lafarge hailed Celestia’s eco-friendly design: “These fully electric trains showcase cutting-edge performance and energy efficiency.” The move supports a shift from short-haul flights to greener rail travel.

With Celestia, Eurostar aims to break aviation’s hold on Europe’s busiest corridors, offering faster, more frequent, and greener journeys right from London’s centre.

Passengers won’t see the double-decker marvels until May 2031, but the announcement marks a seismic shift in British rail history – and a peek into the future of cross-Channel travel.