Eurostar has taken a major step toward modernizing its fleet by selecting Alstom to supply 30 next-generation Avelia Horizon double-decker high-speed trains, under a contract worth approximately €1.4 billion signed with SNCF Voyageurs, France’s national rail operator.
The agreement also includes an option for an additional 20 trains.
These new Avelia Horizon units will become the first double-decker high-speed trains to run through the Channel Tunnel, marking a milestone in European rail history. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2031, and the trains will operate under the Eurostar brand across Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Commenting on the deal, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, said:
“By choosing Avelia Horizon to renew its fleet, Eurostar once again demonstrates its commitment to combining technological performance, energy efficiency, and passenger comfort. This new generation of very high-speed trains embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility.”
This latest order extends the existing framework agreement between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom, under which SNCF had already ordered 115 high-speed trains—100 for domestic routes in France and 15 for international operations.
Drawing on over 40 years of Alstom’s expertise in high-speed rail, the Avelia Horizon introduces a new benchmark in passenger rail innovation. The train features a maximum speed of 320 km/h, a capacity of over 1,000 passengers, and enhanced energy efficiency.
The design includes two compact high-performance power cars and nine articulated double-deck cars, offering superior flexibility and comfort.
Thanks to its optimized aerodynamic shape and traction system, the Avelia Horizon consumes 20% less energy compared to previous generations. Maintenance operations have also been redesigned to reduce costs by up to 30%, with longer intervals between servicing.
With these advances, the Avelia Horizon offers the highest seating capacity in its class, while significantly lowering the operating cost per seat—ensuring both efficiency and exceptional passenger experience.
To meet growing demand in France and international markets, Alstom is investing €150 million to expand its production capacity across several French sites.
The project involves 10 key facilities, each with dedicated responsibilities:
Belfort: Power cars
La Rochelle: Passenger coaches and project management
Villeurbanne: Control and onboard information systems
Ornans: Traction motors
Le Creusot: Bogies
Tarbes: Traction systems and electrical panels
Toulouse: Electrical circuits
Petit-Quevilly: Transformers
Saint-Ouen: Design and signaling
Valenciennes: Interior design and components
Alstom’s Avelia series covers operational speeds ranging from 200 km/h to 350 km/h, offering single or double-deck configurations, central or distributed traction systems, and both tilting and non-tilting architectures.
With its diverse configurations, the Avelia series delivers tailored high-speed solutions for each country’s network requirements.
Today, more than 1,000 Avelia high-speed trains are in service across 25 countries, crossing 22 international borders and forming an essential part of Europe’s interconnected mobility landscape.
