Eurostar e320 (Class 374) Fleet
UK (London), France (Paris), Belgium (Brussels), Netherlands (Amsterdam) [INTERNATIONAL] · 2011–2018 (built), 2015 (first service) · £550 million (for new trains, part of a £700 million project to update fleet, 2009 prices)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe decision to procure Siemens Velaro trains marked a significant shift from Alstom's traditional dominance in the French high-speed market, highlighting competitive procurement. - The legal disputes with Alstom underscored the complexities and competitive nature of large-scale international rolling stock procurements. - The design to serve destinations beyond the core London-Paris/Brussels network (e.g., Amsterdam, Frankfurt) demonstrated Eurostar's strategic expansion ambitions and the need for interoperable rolling stock. - The issues with "power spikes" at Ashford International highlight the challenges of integrating new, advanced rolling stock with existing infrastructure and the need for thorough compatibility testing.
Key engineering challenges
Designing trains compliant with Channel Tunnel safety specifications and capable of operating across multiple European electrification systems (though 15kV AC was not included in the final order). - Overcoming legal challenges from Alstom regarding the tendering process and Channel Tunnel safety rules. - Resolving "power spikes" issues that initially prevented Class 374 trains from calling at Ashford International. - Integrating distributed traction equipment along the length of the train to meet Channel Tunnel safety requirements.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Eurostar International Limited
- Lead contractor
- Siemens Mobility
- Lead designers
- Siemens Mobility
- Project type
- new build; vehicle/fleet programme
- Scale
- 17 units (16 cars per unit); Train length: 390.2 m; Max speed: 320 km/h (200 mph); Capacity: 902 seats; Power output: 16 MW (21,000 hp)
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems; Software
- Standards & frameworks
- Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI); Channel Tunnel safety specifications
Sources: British Rail Class 374 - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_374) - Siemens: Eurostar e320 high-speed trains for Eurostar International Limited (https://press.siemens.com/global/en/feature/eurostar-e320-high-speed-trains-eurostar-international-limited) - Railway Gazette International: Eurostar picks Velaro to expand fleet (https://www.railwaygazette.com/eurostar-picks-velaro-to-expand-fleet/36979.article)