Eurostar to Reintroduce Double-Decker Trains to the UK After Six Decades
It’s official, double-decker trains are making a grand comeback to British rails. For the first time in 60 years, the UK will once again see two-level trains in operation, though only for international journeys.
The revival comes courtesy of Eurostar, which has confirmed an ambitious order of 30 brand-new double-decker trains from French manufacturer Alstom. There’s also an option to add 20 more later, depending on demand.
The new fleet will go by the name Eurostar Celestia, a sleek, futuristic design derived from Alstom’s renowned Avelia Horizon platform. These next-generation trains promise not only speed but also comfort, space, and sustainability.
The Avelia Horizon series, already set to debut in France next year under SNCF Voyageurs, is built for performance. Its double-deck carriages and push-pull configuration (with power cars on both ends) give it an aerodynamic edge.
Once in service, the 200-meter-long Celestia trains will operate across all five countries currently served by Eurostar, with new routes to Geneva and Frankfurt also in the works.
Eurostar has stated that the new design will boost passenger capacity by up to 20%, depending on final layouts.
Early estimates suggest around 540 seats per train, or a staggering 1,080 seats when two units are linked together for Channel Tunnel operations.
That scale of capacity means London’s St Pancras International could soon face a passenger surge. To cope, upgrades may be necessary, or perhaps a bold move to reopen Ashford or Ebbsfleet International stations.
The first double-decker Eurostar trains are scheduled to roll into service by May 2031, following initial deliveries in January of that year.
That date isn’t just symbolic; it marks almost exactly 60 years since the UK’s last attempt at double-deck trains, the SR Class 4DD, were withdrawn in 1971.
EUROSTAR GOES DOUBLE-DECK:
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills…) pic.twitter.com/LzjQ7QrN9t— The Man in Seat 61 (@seatsixtyone) October 22, 2025
Those early efforts ran between Charing Cross and Dartford, cramming two decks into a tight British loading gauge. Comfort, however, was not their strong suit.
Once delivered, the new Celestia trains will join Eurostar’s existing 17 Class e320s, taking the total fleet to 67 trains, an impressive 30% increase. Maintenance for the expanded fleet will continue at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in East London.
This order also represents the third tranche of a major contract between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom, adding to the 115 Avelia Horizon trains already commissioned, 100 for use in France and 15 for broader European services.
It’s not just about transport. The return of double-decker trains to the UK signals something deeper: a renewed commitment to high-speed rail innovation and international connectivity.
As Europe’s rail network modernizes, Eurostar’s investment sets a clear message: faster, greener, and more connected travel is on the horizon.
Or as one industry insider put it, “Sixty years after the last double-decker train ran in the UK, they are set to make a return, although this time only for international travel.”
