Interviews

13.07.17

Expanding an unprecedented level of style and comfort

Source: RTM Jun/Jul 17

At the end of May, Eurostar introduced its new e320 train on the London-Brussels route. Rob Haycocks talks to RTM about what passengers can expect from the new units and how they differ from the company’s original fleet.

Our state-of-the-art new e320 trains revolutionise short-haul travel in Europe. Designed by the world-famous Italian design house, Pininfarina, renowned for its iconic car designs, the Siemens-built e320 boasts 20% more capacity than the original Eurostar trains. 

With a bold new design, chic interiors as well as wi-fi connectivity and over 300 hours of on-board entertainment streamed to customers’ personal devices, the new trains provide an unprecedented level of style and comfort. 

Since the first e320 was introduced on the Paris route in November 2015, they have performed successfully, proving very popular with business and leisure customers alike, who appreciate the enhanced features and technology. 

Now that they are on the Brussels route, we’re happy to give more of our customers the opportunity to experience them. The e320 trains are interoperable, which means they can operate across the European high-speed network, including crucially to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, so they are a key part of our plan to operate that route. 

The arrival of the new trains on the Brussels service is part of a £1bn programme of investment in Eurostar’s fleet, stations and service which included the purchase of 17 new e320 trains and the refurbishment of its original trains. 

With regards to the existing fleet, Eurostar has three of its completely refurbished e300s in service. They are fitted out with a new livery, and the same Pininfarina-designed interior as the e320s. The fourth e300 will be in service over the coming weeks, and they are coming through around every six months. 

At the moment, Eurostar is going through a major investment programme to transform the customer experience. Passengers on the new fleet benefit from more space, wi-fi and access to on-board entertainment. Beyond that, we are also investing heavily in our stations, with a new Business Lounge in Paris, and we recently unveiled improvements to the check-in area at Brussels. 

The introduction of the e320 on the London-Brussels service also follows an extensive renovation of the Eurostar terminal in Brussels Midi. This has created an expanded departure area and a more efficient check-in space, which will be further enhanced by the introduction of facial recognition e-passport gate technology for the peak summer holiday period. 

Eurostar is also in the final stages of preparation for the launch of its new direct service to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, and it plans on introducing an inaugural service by the end of the year. The focus will then be on gearing up to the peak Easter getaway period.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

W: www.eurostar.com

Comments

Gman   21/07/2017 at 11:39

the original Alstom trains are better

Foaming Stoat   08/08/2017 at 12:31

Thanks, Gman - that well argued and persuasive point was most illuminating. Anyway, how are Squirrel and the 24-hour Party People these days?

Add your comment

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Veh... more >
Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09/09/2020Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the Wessex route in the South o... more >
New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09/09/2020New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passengers in the West Midlands.... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across the UK and further afield in its global network. ... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >