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Virgin to take on Eurostar: Rail rival to buy huge new train fleet to take UK passengers to top European cities
It comes as they hope to beat rival start up Evolyn launching trains
VIRGIN has revealed it's latest plans to take on Eurostar with an order for a dozen new trains to Europe.
Plans for Virgin to launch a transatlantic train route were first announced in 2023.
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Models being chosen include trains from Japanese Hitachi, German Siemens, Spanish operator Talgo and France's Alstom,
While the train purchase is expected to cost £500million, the entire project could cost up to £1billion.
If given the go-ahead, the new trains could launch to Europe by 2029.
Once having its domestic Virgin Trains, this ceased in 2019 after 22 years.
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Eurostar is currently the only operator with routes from the UK, connecting London to France, Belgium and The Netherlands.
And Virgin hopes to get the jump on another train operator that revealed plans to take on Eurostar.
Start up Evolyn announced plans for trains between London and Paris back in 2023.
The new fleet, consisting of 12 Avelia trains, would launch a limited service as soon as this year although this is likely to be delayed.
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And there are concerns that there is the space for all of the operators on the lines.
Project lead Phil Whittingham said: "We don’t believe there is room for three operators on the route.
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"We’re hoping the regulator will determine what capacity is available and reserve it for a new competitor.
"And we expect the first person to come along with a contract for new trains will get that capacity.”
However, Eurostar has pushed back on the rival operator plans, saying there is "limited space" for the trains, which is at both London St Pancras and Temple Milles.
They added: “We have recently written to the new Government asking for its support in creating a framework that will enable all operators, including Eurostar, to invest on level terms in the further network expansion we all want to see.”
Why Virgin taking on Eurostar is good for consumers
The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot explained how this is good news for UK travellers
WHILE a second operator on the channel tunnel could only be a positive move for travellers, there are significant challenges before this could become reality.
Eurostar currently has a monopoly on the route and competition would potentially bring more choice, lower prices and new routes.
Eurostar itself is a shadow of the company it was in its glory days with direct routes to Disneyland Paris, Lyon, Avignon and Marseille plus its fabulous ski train to the Alps.
While the pandemic brought the company almost to its knees, it has been steadily getting back on its feet and the merger with Belgian operator Thalys has opened up fast train services to Germany.
But the constrictions on space at St Pancras and the maintenance depot at Temple Mills plus the potential disruption when the new European Entry Exit System finally arrives mean there are still significant problems that need to be addressed.
They also confirmed last year the purchase of 50 new trains, as well as plans for new destinations to Europe.
Eurostar first launched in 1992, and has never had a rival train operator since.
There are also calls for Eurostar to restart trains from Ashford.
Backed by the prime minister, the train operator suspended routes during the pandemic.
They have since confirmed that the restart of the route won’t be addressed until at least next year.
Until then, Eurostar trains only have one UK terminal which is London St Pancras International.
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