Topic
ChannelTunnel
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Tube & Rail · StratfordVirgin Trains to explore Stratford stop for France services
Virgin Trains is considering making Stratford International a stop for its planned new train services to France, Brussels, and Amsterdam. The move is supported by East Ham MP Sir Stephen Timms, who highlighted the commercial and regeneration benefits for east London.
Stratford3 min readTrust 44 · Craft 69 · Hype 41
Tube & Rail · LondonVirgin Trains to run 20 services daily to Paris from 2030
Virgin Trains has secured permission to operate 20 return services daily between London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel from 2030. The move challenges Eurostar's long-standing monopoly on the route and signals a significant investment in new rolling stock.
London3 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 40- Tube & Rail · London
Eurostar to launch double-decker trains and new routes
Eurostar is set to introduce double-decker trains, named 'Celestia', from May 2031, significantly boosting seating capacity. New direct services to Antwerp will begin in December 2026, with further routes to Germany and Switzerland planned for the 2030s. Virgin Trains also aims to launch services by 2030.
London4 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 40 
Tube & Rail · LondonVirgin Trains wins approval for 20 daily London-Paris return services from 2030
Virgin Trains will run up to 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from October 2030 after the Office of Rail and Road approved track access. The decision covers a ten-year period, but the company must still secure safety approvals and access to other rail networks before services begin.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Tube & Rail · LondonVirgin Trains to run London-Paris trains from 2030, ending Eurostar monopoly
Virgin Trains will operate up to 20 daily return services between London St Pancras and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from October 2030, following approval by the Office of Rail and Road. The decision ends Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly but requires further safety and network access agreements before services begin.
London5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 95 · Hype 32- Projects · London
New London-Paris high-speed trains ordered for 2029 launch
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has ordered 19 new high-speed trains worth £1.7 billion for a London-Paris service starting in 2029. The fleet, operated by Trenitalia France, will include on-board bistros and upgraded Wi-Fi, competing directly with Eurostar for the first time in 30 years.
London4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 87 · Hype 30