Virgin Trains, part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is set to begin operating passenger trains to mainland Europe through the Channel Tunnel following an announcement by the UK rail regulator.
Virgin Trains has also announced the acquisition of a fleet of high-speed trains as it gears up to challenge Eurostar, which has held a monopoly on routes to Europe since 1994.
Virgin Trains said this week that there are “no more major hurdles to overcome” before it can begin operating.
It has acquired a fleet of 13 high-speed trains for future services from London through the Channel Tunnel to Paris, Brussels and onwards to Frankfurt, starting in late 2027.
Thanks to a financial package negotiated with BlackRock, Virgin has purchased the 330 kmh trains from Germany’s Deutsche Bahn.
Thanks to a financial package negotiated with BlackRock, Virgin has purchased the 330 kmh trains from Germany’s Deutsche Bahn.
The Siemens-built 406 series trains were most recently in service between Frankfurt, Brussels and Amsterdam. Each train is composed of eight carriages and seats 425 passengers, news portal Travel Mole reports.
“The opportunity to purchase these trains now was an offer too good to turn down," Branson told British media.
“The opportunity to purchase these trains now was an offer too good to turn down," Branson told British media.
"With no need to wait for new trains to be built, we can bring forward our plans for new services through the Channel Tunnel that customers have been demanding.
"Anyone who has taken one of these trains has been enchanted by their reliability and comfort.”
Virgin Trains will start its services in December 2027, with seven return trips planned each day from
London to Paris, and six a day to Brussels. Two of the Brussels services will continue to Germany.
Virgin Trains will start its services in December 2027, with seven return trips planned each day from
London to Paris, and six a day to Brussels. Two of the Brussels services will continue to Germany.
That will make Virgin the first company to offer direct UK-Germany services.
Virgin Trains head of European Operations Jean-Eric Suiscon said “We are happy to have
found a way to adapt services in Germany for Channel Tunnel services."
Virgin Trains head of European Operations Jean-Eric Suiscon said “We are happy to have
found a way to adapt services in Germany for Channel Tunnel services."