Virgin Trains will be linking passengers from London to various European tourist spots across the Channel – but what will the trains be like?
Back in October, the company was approved to use the spare capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London.
This meant Eurostar would no longer be holding the monopoly it has for the past 31 years.
Virgin plans to begin journeys with a fleet of 12 trains from London St. Pancras to Europe in 2030.
The company confirmed it had chosen Alstom’s Avelia Stream for the new cross-channel fleet and described it as ‘a state-of-the-art train’.
The new vehicle is set to build ‘on the proven design of the Pendolino, with improved speed, passenger comfort and energy consumption’.
It is expected the trains will be painted in Virgin’s classic red and white colours.
A source told the Daily Mail how the new vehicles ‘will ooze Virgin’s enviable style’, ‘be fun and will most definitely being back the joy of the journey from the moment people step on board’.
An artist’s depiction of what Virgin’s new trains could look like on its cross-Channel routes launching in 2030
They added: ‘As with all of our travel companies, it shouldn’t be simply getting from A to B but creating a travel experience that people genuinely look forward to.’
The insider pointed to the company’s flight services to show how Virgin has experience in ‘shaking up industries for the better’.
Virgin founder Richard Branson has described how the popular ‘Virgin magic’ will also make it onto the routes.
Insiders told The Times how ‘fun’ will be brought on board the trains and play a big part in their make-up, with onboard bars reportedly being a possibility.
And back in October, Richard wrote: ‘It’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.’
Andrew DeLeone, Alstom Europe Region President expressed how ‘thrilled’ he was over the partnership.
He commented: ‘Virgin and Alstom have a history of driving innovation and change in the rail industry, and delivering for passengers. We are thrilled to partner with Virgin once again for this exciting new venture.
‘This collaboration not only strengthens our longstanding relationship but also reinforces our shared commitment to sustainability, customer experience and technological excellence.’
A source revealed the new journeys won’t be ‘just getting from A to B — it’s about starting your holiday from the moment you board’
With the new trains, Virgin plans to initially transport holidaymakers from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal.
The company also has ambitions to expand further across France, and into Germany and Switzerland.
There will be plenty of options for the journey times too.
Paris will have 13 services a day, Brussels is set to have four and three will head to Amsterdam, according to The Times, totalling to 20.
Eurostar stopped its direct route to Disneyland Paris back in 2023.
Instead, passengers now have to take a train to Lille or Paris and hop on another service to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy.
But Richard has revealed he hopes to run a direct service from London to the popular destination with Virgin.
He also wants to launch a direct route from the UK capital to Charles de Gaulle airport.
When the approval for space at Temple Mills was granted, Richard praised the decision and pledged to ‘shake-up the cross-Channel route’
When the approval for space at Temple Mills was granted, Richard praised the decision and pledged to ‘shake-up the cross-Channel route’.
The billionaire entrepreneur said: ‘The ORR’s decision is the right one for consumers – it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.
‘Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we’re ready to do it again.
‘We’re going to shake-up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.’
