Virgin has unveiled a mock-up of its future cross-Channel train, pledging to create “something genuinely new” as it prepares to launch services that would give Eurostar its first competition since the Channel tunnel opened.
The group plans to run rail services from London to the continent in 2030, ordering 12 high-speed trains from manufacturer Alstom that match Eurostar’s top speed of up to 190mph (300km/h) but aim to outshine the incumbent on design and customer experience.
Virgin said the trains would draw inspiration from its airline, cruise and hotel arms. It will look to Virgin Atlantic’s airport lounges, or Clubhouses, for “pre-departure and onboard social spaces” offering “more flexibility to work, relax or socialise in style”. Food will be influenced by its cruise line menu, while the design will follow its Virgin Hotels brand.
Virgin Trains expects to run 20 daily return services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, adding almost 7.5m seats a year to the cross-Channel network and creating up to 1,000 new jobs.
Josh Bayliss, chief executive of Virgin Group, said: “Virgin has a proud history in UK rail. With our latest venture we are drawing on more than four decades of experience across travel and hospitality to create something genuinely new.”
He added: “We’re confident that more journeys between the UK and Europe will be made by train. We’re adding capacity for millions more international rail journeys each year, growing the market as a whole. We’re looking forward to seeing our distinctive red and black trains travelling across Europe.”
Virgin also hopes to connect its rail and airline networks, potentially bringing passengers from France for Virgin Atlantic flights, and will fold the train service into its loyalty platform so passengers can earn points towards other Virgin travel.
The Office of Rail and Road on Thursday published an agreement with Eurostar for Virgin to maintain its trains at the Temple Mills international depot near Stratford in east London, with track access in the UK confirmed until at least 2040.
Italy’s state-owned Trenitalia is also expected to launch cross-Channel high-speed services. It already runs international trains as far as Paris and recently announced a €2bn order for 19 new trains from Hitachi, some of which are expected to be based in France and run through the tunnel to London.
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